Question
I'm a 49 year old relatively healthy female. 20 years ago I was rearended by a truck which totaled my car and ran havoc on my neck...but, back then they just diagnosed it as whiplash. I had lost all feeling in three fingers. Over the past year I've been going to my chiropractor for adjustments and when he manipulates my neck, I've gotten pain down to the same fingers. I've also developed severe trapezius pain--tried deep tissue massage. I had an MRI which showed severe narrowing and spurs in C-5--C-7. Additionally, an EMG showed damage to my medial and ulner nerve. My Orthopedic recommended a nerve block, which I just had. He told me NOT to have my neck adjusted as it will cause further damage. I spoke to my chiropractor, whom I have seen for 10 years and he said that the Dr. does not know what he is talking about.
I'm not sure what to do.
My trapezius burns like crazy and I also get pain in my middle, ring and pinkie. My neck feels fine.
I asked for PT and the Orthopedist said he wanted to try the nerve blocks first.
I think if the pressure is taken off of my neck, then the traps will stop burning.
What is your opinion? Would Ultrasound, Tens help with the traps?
Is adjustment going to be harmful to me?
Thanks so much

Answer
Dear Cindi,

... what doctors are telling people ...(sigh)

People have a universal response to injury:  they tighten up.  That accounts for the pain in your trapezius.  It also accounts for bone spurs, which form at the attachments of tight muscles.

Tight neck muscles may trap the nerves that exit the neck and go down the arm.  That accounts for the numbness.

An EMG doesn't definitively indicate nerve damage; what it indicates is muscular activity or lack, thereof.  Muscles are controlled by the nervous system.  When nerves are pinched, the muscles they control may lose tone; no damage may be present, only interference with function.

No form of massage, adjustments or manipulation can quiet the protective reflexes triggered by injuries; those reflexes are controlled by brain-level conditioning and they can be quieted by brain-muscle training.  I refer you to the article on whiplash injuries at somatics.com/page4.htm.

As to your neck feeling fine, it's typical for people to lack sensation in areas of the muscular system over which they have poor control.  Lack of a clear body-sense contributes to people's misunderstanding of their own condition.

It's not a difficult problem, just one that requires the correct approach.  See the article ...

with regard,
Lawrence Gold