Question
QUESTION: On my left hand, the thumb first, and then the next two fingers tingle and eventually go numb if my arm is not lowered.  If my arm hangs, the tingling leaves. Reading the newspaper also causes the numbness to begin. At night, the arm must be straight down to avoid the tingling.

ANSWER: Lee,
What most people don't realize is that the nerves that supply the fingers exit the spine in the cervical or neck region.  It is in the neck region that the nerve impingement usually takes place although the symptoms are elsewhere.  The fact that you have to hang your arm to avoid tingling is further proof that the cervical spine may be involved in your particular case.
I would recommend you to see an Upper Cervical Doctor of Chiropractic who can measure and see if you have a cervical spine problem that is causing your trouble.
If you would like a referral from me, just send me your town and state and I will send you the best doctor in your area.
Let me know if I have sufficiently answered your question or if you have anything else that I could help you with.
Nothing is bigger than LIFE,
Dr Robert Arnone, DC
Upper Cervical Doctor of Chiropractic
St Louis, MO

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your help.  I would appreciate a referral so I can have my problem "solved".  I live in Wilson, N.C. I appreciate you taking your time to help.

ANSWER: Lee,
I am glad to help, that what I was put on this earth to do.

Here are a few people that I personally know and that I can wholeheartedly recommend to you.  Let me know if they are too far for you to travel because I am not mapping this out, I am merely sending you my best contacts in the state of North Carolina.  If it comes to that point then I will do more research and find you a quality doctor in your area.  Please keep in mind that there are well under 1000 of these specially trained doctors in the entire world, so there may be some travel involved.  

Brian England D.C.
Premium Chiropractic Center
1302 South 39th Street
Wilmington  NC  28403
tele: 910.799.5935

Henri J. Dallies D.C.
Apple Valley Clinic
1032-B Greenville Highway
Hendersonville  NC  28792
tele: 828.698.6677

Corine Weaver D.C.
Indian Trail Specific Chiropractic
14045 E. Independence Blvd. Suite D
Indian Trail  NC  28079
tele: 704.882.1488

Let me know if there is anything else that I could do for you.
Yours in Best Health,
Dr Robert Arnone, DC
St Louis, MO

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello again, You recently answered my question concerning my tingling fingers (question, answer below). My doctor requested an MRI, which I had, with the following results. There is a vertebra in my lower neck that is degenerative and has produced a bulge. It also found that I have several cervical (C) vertabra in various stages of degenative state. One thing that I did not say is that I was told in my 40's that I had more arthritis than most people in their 60's, so I guess I am reaping the results of that arthritis. Also, the MRI found a more immediate problem (thyroid) that I am trying to work on now, so I have not seen the Chiropratic doctor you suggested yet. So I have several questions for you if you can possibly take the time for this? Please understand that I realize you do not have a "magic looking glass" into my problem. But what have you seen in the past and with your experience in this matter would help me to understand all of this. .

1. Why is the cervical section of the spine so important that there is a "speciality" for caring for it?

2. What will happen if I do not get the fusion for the deteriorating vertabra at the base of the neck? to the nerves, fingers?

3. Is this spinal stenosis? I have spinal stenosis in my L4 which I am trying not to have surgery on it because I realize that my spine is
deteriorating and there might not be any unaffected vertebra to "bolt" it to later. Also, since the only cure is surgery, would adjustments around L4 be harmful over a period of time?

4. With the various stages of deteriation in the cervical section , are chiropratic adjustments there a bad idea? I would hate to have an adjustment to a vertabra do more damage in that area.

5. In the cervical section of vertebra, what do the nerves control there? In other words, where am I going to have more "tingling" in the future?

6. Is there anything I can do about the bulge and what effect will it have on my nerve, vertebra, or anything else for that matter?

I am sorry to be taking up so much of your time. It seems as if I am losing function of my back. thank you for your time and patience.
Lee  

Answer
Lee,
You NEED to go and see one of the doctors that I recommended to you, they are the ones who CAN help you.  A surgery is NOT the only cure, in fact surgery is NOT a cure at all.  If you try this care for a year and do not get well or at least improve some, then you can have surgery.  But once you have the surgery, there  is no looking back, so have the surgery as a last resort, not a first choice.
The Upper Cervical Spine is the area where the Brainstem lives, your Brainstem runs everything in your entire body.  Therefore, if you have a problem in the Upper Cervical Spine, you can have a problem or problems anywhere in the body.  Just correct the cause and you have the opportunity to get well, it is that simple.
An Upper Cervical Doctor will not touch your L4 so don't worry about it making the L4 area worse. An Upper Cervical Doctor is very cautious and conservative with adjusting so you will only get adjusted when it is absolutely necessary, other wise you are left alone.  In fact, most visits you are monitored and not adjusted at an Upper Cervical Doctors office.
All or nearly all of your health problems are due to the Upper Cervical Subluxation, if you indeed have one.
So go and get checked, and if you have one, then you can thank me for saving you from unnecessary surgery and allowing you to get well.

Yours in Best Health,
Dr Rob Arnone
St Louis, MO
314.995.5719