Question
Yes,

I am a 37 year old white female and for the past 2 months I have been experiencing severe pain radiating down my left arm through my hand down to the tip of my fingers. I have been to the Emergency room on several occasions and they evaluated functions of my heart and confirmed that I did not have an heart condition causing this. All the opinions including my doctor's forwarding me to a neurologist is suspecting that I have a pinched nerve. Some symptoms I am experiencing other than the severe pain would be numbness in the tip of my fingers and my hand. (The Pain is so severe at night that it keeps me up all throughout the hours of the night). Pain Medication is not doing much good! Since the onset of symptoms, All my fingers had been numb but recently the pinky finger is not numb anymore, but keep in mind the others still are, and I am still experiencing the severe pain and numbness elsewhere in my arm. My question is could that be a Sign of improvement or Deterioating Signs of this condition worsening. [I have not been Diagnosed with a pinched nerve YET, but have MRI's set up]

Thanks so much and please email me back with some information so I can have a little insight. And So I can set my mind to peace.

Answer
Hi, Tammy

Based on the information you've given above, i feel you have acute severe cervical disc lesion which is usually causing nerve root compression or spinal cord deformity , all these symptoms can be said as pinching nerve.  This can be diagnosed through MRI or nerve studies.

Typcially disc lesion involves neck pain, a shooting pain or numbness or tingling sensation in the arm and hands and fingers.

Once you have this symptom, you need extensive chiropractic care including physical therapy, manipulation and disctraction therapy.  I believe occasionally surgical intervention may be necessary.

The sign of deterioration are a loss of sensational function, muscle weakness, a loss of shoulder motion, and severe neck pain.

The sign of improvment are pain relief, normal sensation in the hands, and normal movement in the arm and neck.

However, once you diagnosed with disc lesion, there will be recurrece of symptoms in the future.  Therefore, you need regular exercise, posture and biomechanic training, and treatment.  no more numbness, nafter numbness and tingling sensation

At this point, do not bend you neck up or down, do mild stretching in the arm, shoulder, do hot shower or hot bath, and take a good rest.

Simon Lee DC