all fingertips numb

[jen_mom2maddy]

HI,

A friend of mine took her first Pilates class a month ago. She said they did a lot of work with the shoulders and neck, and afterward all of her fingertips were numb, and have been ever since! I don't want to work on her and am wanting to suggest the best referral. I'm assuming it's a pinched nerve(s) in the lower cervicals, but I don't know how to read the dermatomes on this. So here are my questions:

1) If it is the neck, would three different cervical nerves (C-6. C-7. C-8) have to be involved?

2) She doesn't want to go to a doctor though she has good insurance. Is it dangerous to do any work or correction without an MRI? I'm very wary where discs may be involved...

3) If not, there are several fellow MTs and chiro's I feel safe referring her to, and an Egoscue practitioner, and I am just learning about local osteopaths. But which do y'all think might be the most efficient referral for her?

She has moderate thoracic kyphosis (it looks congenital; I've never asked her about it as she hasn't brought it up; her mother has it too) that I think may have contributed to the problem.

Thank you so much!

 

[Corinna]

all fingertips numb

I can't accurately answer your question #1 (about whether 3 different C-vertebrae might be involved or just one), but to me, it sounds like a chiropractor would be a good person to refer her to for a more in-depth evaluation. I know the one we just started with (have had some VERY glowing reviews about him from people we know, as well as our MT mentor/friend) would most definitely refer out if he found something he was not qualified to handle, but he was extremely thorough in our intake interview. From what you've described your friend is going through, I'm pretty certain a DC such as he would be able to pinpoint her problem very quickly.

 

[charles_soler]

all fingertips numb

I agree with Timedess. Any qualified DC would likely be able to release the area of concern, though she might also do well seeing a medical massage therapist.
Those who are trained in Structural Integration work, or Active Isolated Stretching, can often reduce & even correct conditions such as kyphosis.
This problem & scoliosis is often related to muscles which are weak on one side of the area involved while the other side is overly tense, or spasmed, etc and with soft tissue stretching & manipulation techniques (plus strength training) your friend should have a successful outcome.

 

[murali]

all fingertips numb

Thank you so much. Re: the kyphosis, I think this may have given me an opportunity to bring it up and explain possible outcomes of it; one must proceed delicately with friends-who-are-practically-family . Any other feedback much welcome.