Brachial Plexus Injury
Elite Chiropractic & Sport is located in Columbia, Howard County happily serving all of Maryland.
Condition: Arm numbness with Overhead Activities
Medical Name: Brachial Plexus Injury
What is it: 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.
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 treat it: As mentioned above, a proper diagnosis is vital to treatment. Advanced soft tissue treatment to the scalenes and muscles in the axilla, and 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.
Josh’s 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.
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