Brachial Plexus Injury Treatment in Maryland
Medical Name
- Brachial Plexus Injury
The Condition
- Arm numbness with overhead activities
What is a Brachial Plexus Injury
Tension or irritation to the brachial plexus, typically at the side of the neck (scalene muscles) or in the armpit (axilla).
Irritation to the nerve plexus will usually develop from tension to the scalene muscles or along their path through the axilla, pinching the nerves.
This is common with poor posture, activities that strain the front of the neck, or stress.
Brachial Plexus Injury Treatment
Typical Treatment: Prescription medicine, such as anti-inflammatories or muscle relaxers, and/or rehabilitation that stretches and strengthens the neck and shoulder muscles.
MRI’s can be ordered, and usually won’t show anything related to the symptoms. This is costly and then leads to frustration for the patient because they aren’t getting any better.
- How we handle Brachial Plexus Injury Treatment
- A proper diagnosis is vital to treatment
- Advanced soft tissue treatment to the scalenes and muscles in the axilla
- Nerve flossing (a technique to move the nerve back and forth like flossing your teeth) to take pressure off the nerve
- Strengthening of the postural stabilizing muscles is important as well to take pressure off the nerves
Signs and Symptoms of a Brachial Plexus Injury
The most common signs of a brachial plexus injury are found in the arm and hand. You may experience neck or shoulder pain, but symptoms also include loss of sensation or numbness in the arm or hand and an asymmetrical movement from one arm compared to the other.
If you notice any of these symptoms, you want to see brachial plexus injury treatment as soon as possible.
- Weakness or inability to use certain muscles in the hand, arm, or shoulder
- Loss of sensation in the arm or hand
- Severe pain
- Burning or stinging sensations
Common Causes of the Brachial Plexus Injury
A brachial plexus injury is damage to the nerves, which can happen due to a variety of stressful or traumatic events. Be aware of any pain following car accidents, child birth, or athletic injuries.
We can help with brachial plexus injury treatment in Columbia, MD. Call us if you’ve experienced any of these events that could be the cause of a brachial plexus injury.
- Trauma, such as from a motorcycle or car accident
- Sports injuries, especially those involving contact sports
- Difficult childbirth
- Inflammatory processes
- Tumors
- Excessive pressure on the area
- Overstretching
Dr. Josh Bross’ Take
This numbness is often mistakenly diagnosed as a pinched nerve the neck. There are easy tests to differentiate the two. This often is resolved fast once the actual problem is found.
Brachial Plexus Frequently Asked Questions
We will explore a variety of brachial plexus injury treatment options during your chiropractic appointment in Columbia, MD. We may consider
- physical therapy, to maintain muscle strength and joint flexibility
- manual adjustments, to improve nerve function
- techniques such as massage to reduce pain and improve mobility
- specific exercises to strengthen the muscles and improve range of motion
- electrical stimulation to promote nerve and muscle function
- advice on proper posture and ergonomics to prevent further injury
We may perform adjustments to improve the alignment and function of the spine and nervous system, help by providing soft tissue therapy to reduce muscle tension and pain, and will design a personalized exercise program to strengthen and improve flexibility in the affected area. Additionally, we may offer advice on posture, ergonomics, and lifestyle modifications to aid recovery and prevent further injury.
If you experience severe pain or weakness in the arm or hand, if you notice a significant loss of sensation in your arm or hand, or if symptoms do not improve with conservative treatment.