Back, Neck, Arm, and Hand Pain: Are They All Connected Somehow?

San Francisco Chiropractor Comments:

Question: I often times have low back pain and neck pain that travels into the arms and hands...all at once. Either they are OK...or I have all of these symptoms all at once. It can be really bad, and my medical doctor just gives me pain pills and tells me to take it easy. It happens maybe 1-2x per month. What causes this? 

Answer: Actually, this is not that unusual. The back, neck, arms, and hands are all connected to each other by the nervous system. The nervous system consist of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. The nerves branch off the spinal cord and exit from in between spinal vertebra and connect to all the parts of the body.

The nerves that exit from the neck bones, travel down the arm and into the hand. So any pressure on these nerves from a misaligned vertebrae (subluxation) can cause pain in the arm and hand...because nerve pain can travel down the nerve (radicular pain).

And, since all the bones of the spine are interconnected...it may be that you have a couple of real specific vertebral subluxations that move in and out of alignment depending on your activities and stress levels. I call these transitional subluxations...they can be quite unpredictable.

Anyway...that's my two cents!

Chiropractic care is your best bet if you have this sort of symptom pattern. Sure, there are other causes of back, neck, arm & hand pain...but they typically present differently.

Vertebral subluxations respond best to chiropractic treatment and supportive spinal exercises...along with ergonomic instruction and home care (cervical pillow/ice/traction).

So...if you have been suffering with back and neck pain...along with arm and hand pain, that comes and goes in mysterious ways...give chiropractic a shot. Chances are, you will be glad you did.

For a complimentary consultation at our San Francisco Back and Wrist Pain Center...call 415-392-2225 or fill out our online information request form and someone will get back with you right way.