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bamartens
13-05-2007, 08:06 PM
Hello all-

I'm new to the forum and was wondering if some of you could offer your perspectives on a persistent problem I've been having.

For about 10 years, I occasionally get bilateral numbness in my hands (all five fingers). It's related to something in my cervical region (around C6 I'd say), which will have pain and tingling sensations. Ways I have triggered these symptoms in the past include: overhead pressing, chin-ups, bench pressing, squatting (front and back), wrestling/grappling and sometimes just waking up with it. It is sometimes, but not always, accompanied by a complete muscle spasm in the traps/erectors to the point where I can't turn my head from side to side and significant neck pain.

Treatment approaches I've tried in the past ranged from drugs (MD prescribed pain killers and muscle relaxants, which did almost nothing to relieve symptoms) to manual therapy (saw an ART practitioner, who was able to relieve the symptoms, but not prevent the problem from reoccurring). It generally seems to flare up for a few days, although sometimes it has lasted weeks, and then subsides. I've recently had a flare-up, have tried some neural glide movements to no avail, and would really like nothing more than to be rid of this problem for good.

I realize without an in-person assessment your abilities to diagnose/give treatment advice are extremely limited, but any suggestions you could offer would be greatly appreciated. Also, if you know of someone who might be able to offer appropriate therapy, please let me know. My location is Austin, Texas.

Thank you,

Brian

bamartens
14-05-2007, 12:13 AM
Just to add: I suspect it might be a herniated disk issue, and am currently thinking about seeing an orthopedic spine specialist.

Jason Silvernail
14-05-2007, 09:44 PM
Hi Brian.
Certainly you should have a medical evaluation to see what's going on. Since you're in the US, you can go to the www.apta.org and click on the "Find a PT" link- there you can find a local therapist who could offer you an opinion on whether or not your problem is amenable to therapy or if you need further workup with imaging or the like.
Hope this helps.

bamartens
15-05-2007, 02:47 AM
Yeah, I've decided to see an orthopedic spine specialist to get some tests run. I appreciate your input.

Brian

Jason Silvernail
15-05-2007, 07:17 AM
Good luck. I would be wary about rushing into anything surgical, make sure you know all your options.
Best of luck,