Question
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PROMPT REPLY AND SUGGESTIONS! I THINK I WILL TRY TO LOCATE A LOCAL CHIROPRACTOR AND SEEK THEIR CARE. ANY TIPS ON FINDING A GOOD ONE? I'M ALSO WONDERING, FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE, IS IT COMMON TO SEE NERVE IRRITATION AFFECT THE ARM AND LEG SIMULATANEOUSLY -- ON ONLY ONE SIDE OF THE BODY. ALL THE RESEARCH I HAVE READ USUALLY ADDRESSES  NERVE IRRITATION AFFECTING THE ARM OR LEG -- NOT BOTH.  THANKS AGAIN!


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Followup To
Question -
I am a 29 female in good health.  I've suffered from back and neck pain off and on for the past 2 years.  I attributed my aches and pains to the physical demands of caring for my 2 little (big) boys(3yr is 42 lbs and 1 yr is 30 lbs.)  However, the past few weeks the pain has been chronic and ranges from my lower to mid back.  This past week I've noticed my right side to be especially sore.  4 days ago I started to feel a burning/tingling sensation in my right foot that radiates to my mid-calf. Now the same tingling/burning is felt in my right hand and arm. The RNP at my health care clinic ordered x-rays for me -- they reveal a curvature in lower spine.  The nurse says my numbness is probably due to pinched nerves. In your expert opinion do you think this is likely? Would the pinched nerves be related to spine curvature? Would I benefit from Chiropratic services? Thanks!
Answer -
The numbness is almost certainly due to nerve irritation in your lower back.  Spinal curvature does not cause nerve irritation, but it may make you more susceptible to it.  The most likely and common cause is what chiropractors call "vertebral subluxation complex" which is restricted movement of some of the many small joints between the vertebrae (bones) in your spine, which eventually can cause enough nerve irritation to cause symptoms such as stiffness, pain, and/or numbness.

You are an excellent candidate for good chiropractic care, and a competent doctor of chiropractic would examine you, take a look at your x-rays (no further ones should be needed) and probably treat you with chiropractic adjustments which are safe and very effective.  You would likely need treatment 2 to 3 times a week for a month, and if you improve significantly (which you should) further treatment at reduced frequency would likely be needed for maximum and lasting results.  (If you don't feel some improvement within 2 weeks you should seek other alternatives).  Also the chiropractor should teach you exercises to increase the flexiblity and strength of your back and neck.

Answer
It is not too uncommon to see problems with nerve irritation affect both the upper and lower extremity--especially on the same side.

The best way to find a good chiropractor is from a referral from someone you know who has had a very good experience.  You can also contact the American Chiropractic Association  (http://www.amerchiro.org/ or 800/986-4636) for a referral.
Another good referral source is www.chiroweb.com.  If you like, you can email me at [email protected] and let me know what city you live in, and I'll give you any contact names I might have.