Pain in The Neck, Arms, or Hands?

San Francisco Chiropractor and Chronic Neck Pain Doctor Comments:

We have been treating patients with neck and arm pain for over 15 years now at our San Francisco Back and Wrist Pain Center. Often times, patients with arm and hand pain think they have carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) or tendinitis, when the source of the symptoms is actually coming from the neck. This is very common. I mean...who wouldn't think the problem was where the symptoms are?

Well...anyone that treats a lot of cervical disc herniations or upper extremity conditions would know that the nerves that innervate or control the arms and hands, originate in the cervical spine (neck).

It's not uncommon for a patient to receive a diagnosis of CTS from a general practitioner or nurse case manager...just because they have hand/wrist or arm pain.

Anyway, a good chiropractor will always check the neck to the fingertips on both sides when checking a patient that presents with neck, shoulder, arm, or hand pain. This would be considered the standard of care.

So, what if we determine that the source of the arm or wrist pain is in the neck...then what do we do?

Well, what we do at my chiropractic center, is spinal adjustments of the neck and upper thoracic spine. We also gently adjust (by hand) the shoulders, elbows, wrists, and fingers. An adjustment is a gentle thrust that helps to re-align joints and restore proper motion. The adjustments are usually preceded by a warm-up massage or some sort of soft tissue work to relax the muscles and improve the circulation.

We also do cervical traction for 10 minutes with ice to stretch the shortened neck ligaments which helps restore the neck curve. This is very relaxing. Then, the patient does exercises at home to strengthen the cervical and upper extremity muscles. We measure progress frequently with computerized muscle tests and re-exams.

It sounds like a lot...but office visits are generally under 35 minutes, because we have NO WAITING.

A basis treatment plan is about 24 visits over a 2 month period. The success rate is very high...and the results seem to last a long time...as long as exercises are done at home...along with periodic checkups. It sure beats neck or CTS surgery.

If you would like to find out if you are a candidate for care at our San Francisco Chiropractic Center...simply call 415-392-2225 and ask for a complimentary Neck or Wrist evaluation.   

Comments

[Milton Oshima]

Any office in Hawaii?