I have trouble with holding my hands above my head too, my hands go numb right away when washing my hair, putting on makeup, anything like that. Of course at my age I do less of that then I used to. When it first flared up suddenly on me about seven or eight years ago I went to physical therapy and it did help me regain some strength. If it is CMT the gain won't be permanent but I certainly helped me a lot at the time. My current situation has come on more gradually, and is just expected progression. In my experience sudden changes in strength or balance respond to therapy or are the cause of medication like statins and improve if the drugs are discontinued. Gradual changes are permanent.

I have always been clumsy and poorly coordinated, walking on the insides of my feet as a child. The numbness started in my early 30's with my toes. It really got my attention about six years ago as I began to lose my balance and sense of where my feet where, also I had no sensation of temperature or pain and I could no longer move my toes. It has continued to advance and a lot of my sensory symptoms, burning, etc are at thigh and hip level now. I have always had some leg pain but that got much worse a few years ago too. I walk with a hiking pole and have a wheelchair for things like museums and airports.

My sons are 28 and 30. One has numb toes, the other has weak ankles and both have hands and arms affected as you describe but neither has pain at this point.

Good luck with the neurologist.