Question
hi, for several days i have had a moderate dull ache in my upper arm this travels down my srm and causes tingling numbing in the hand, it is only my right arm that is effected. i am normally fit and well and have not caused any injury or strain to the arm.

Answer
Dear Nicole,

I am sorry for your arm pain.  Here are some thoughts.

First of all, go and get an examination! I can only give ideas... and since I have never seen you as a patient, my ideas are not as valuable as those that would come through a qualified practitioner who does a good history and examination.

Pain and numbness in the arm and hand can be referred from a muscular injury, from a peripheral nerve entrapment, or from central canal lesion, just to name a few.

One of the most common causes of arm/hand pain and numbness and tingling is degenerative changes in the mid to lower neck region.

Another cause of nerve irritation of the arm and hand is carpal tunnel syndrome. This is a compression that happens where the nerves pass from the lower arm into the hand.

Sometimes people will irritate or pinch nerve tissue at the elbow.  This happens near the elbow at the location that we often call the "funny bone", which is actually a nerve.

Another cause of nerve irritation in the arm is called thoracic outlet syndrome. This is when the nerves are irritated either as they cross over the first rib, under the pectoralis minor muscle, or through the scalene muscles as they transcend from the neck and into the upper arm.

I have also seen patients that get pain and numbness in the upper arm from active trigger points in the neck and shoulder muscles. The rotator cuff muscles that attach to the shoulder blade, for example, often will refer pain into the upper arm.

I know that this response is very broad based, but pain and tingling and numbness in the arm can be caused by so many different things. Good luck with your doctor in trying to find out where the cause of the symptoms are.

Keith Biggs, DC
Biggs Chiropractic and Acupuncture
http://www.eastmesachiropractor.com