Lower neck pain, shoulder pain, with tingling in my upper & Lower arm down to my thumb and forefinger.

I have been getting pain in my neck for around 8 months now.

Although I can feel an ache when I am in a normal posture when I move my head back it hurts a lot worse, sending a pain down my top shoulder area and my arm.

In certain positions such as typing on the computer or turning my neck to the left (stretching the muscles), I am also getting a tingling & numbing sensation down the side of my upper & lower arm, including my thumb and forefinger.

I have been to the doctors twice and have been sent to 2 different physiotherapists who give me exercises to do which don't seem to be working.
I was told I am too flexible?!

I am only 23 and have really had enough of having this pain and stiffness as it is stopping me doing the littlist of things such as drying my hair (holding my arm above my head).

Do I need to see a chiropractor? If so what would that involve? Do you have any tips on how to get better?

Thank you

Hello,
You have a classic C6 neuralgia going to the thumb and index finger. What is of concern is that turning your head to the left immediately provokes pain in your arm.

Yes, I would strongly advise seeing a chiropractor as soon as possible. In fact, it's already late in the day, you probably have numbness and weakness in your arm by now. After eight months you may have to accept that the pain won't go completely away. That's what the scientific literature says, but you're young, so perhaps you'll be lucky. But you will have to be patient. This is a serious and often very painful condition. You're not whinging about nothing.

Stretch your right arm out parallel to your body, parallel to the ground, palm forwards. Now extend your wrist and then your whole right arm backwards. Remember what you feel in your right arm. Now repeat - gently - with your left arm. Is it much tighter/ painful?

Do you get relief by putting your left hand on your head?

Stop carrying shopping bags in your left arm.

You will definitely need some X-rays and perhaps a scan of your neck. I wouldn't start without them, myself. The chiropractor may be able to take them/ order them, or you may need to see your GP.

Start shopping around for a thorough careful chiropractor. Talk to family and friends, even your GP. Not the yellow pages, or the biggest advert!

Let me know how you get on.

I hope this has contributed.

Dr B