Question
I have been waking up in the middle of the night and every morning with numbness and tingling in my right arm.It started a couple of months ago and was very sporadic. Over the past few weeks it is daily. Since I am a side sleeper I thought it was related to sleeping on my right side so I would switch over to my left side and the numbness would usually go away. Also, if I use my right arm for holding something for extended periods of time such as a phone, I will also get the same numbness.

Some of my co workers(other nurses), think that I should see an orthopedic doctor and not a chiropractor. I believe that it may be related to a stiffness in my back in the thoracic region. I do not have any pain with the above symptoms but I do feel a mild bruise type feeling beside my spinal cord in the thoracic area. If my husband rubs above and below that area the numbness will usually subside.

I would like to try a chiropractor first to see if there is anything that could be done. What are my options as far as chiropractic treatment goes? Or do you think I should see an Ortho Dr?

Answer
Mary,

Thank you for the question. Please forgive my delay in answering you.  I have been out of town.

I think that a chiropractor would be a logical and easier choice at this point.  The ortho is going to do some xrays and maybe an MRI.  Likely not see anything on the MRI and prescribe some meds and possibly PT.  If he sees anything, he will want to do surgery.

It sounds like you are having referred pain and irritation of the brachial nerves. This usually results in the pain lateral to the thoracic spine and also has a cervical component.  I see this daily in my practice.  The answer: 4-10 manipulations to the cervical spine and thoracic spine and a little electric stimulation to the involved muscles.  Remove the pressure and irritation and inflammation, and the problem will be gone.  

Use some cold packs on the area at home, no heat.  Reduce inflammation around the area and improvement is inevitable.  See a chiropractor and you should need about 4-10 treatments give or take a few.  You should not require a 4 month treatment plan to take care of this.  

Let me know how it goes and if you have any other questions, let me know.

God Bless,

Dr. Boss