Hi, I live in the UK
I had a minor car accident 6 weeks ago which left me with whiplash. I have poor posture and am regularly on the computer or typing on my phone. About two weeks ago I noticed numbness in my right hand from typing. This has now spread to both arms, I have tingling and numbness and my arms feel heavy. Altered sensation in my hands especially finger tips. I feel muscle tightness in my neck, tops of arms and forearms. It is also important to mention I have chronic lyme disease.

I am currently seeing an osteopath and hoping he can help me. I feel that I have TOS and a doctor feels that I have this too. I've just been told to take painkillers and maybe will need PT in the future. I am really worried right now that I have permanent nerve damage. What am I best to do to help myself? I have tried to stop using my computer and phone, typing this is a struggle. I know I am not to stop all activities as the muscles can atrophy. My arms and hands feel weak but when a GP examines them they are fine apparently.

Any advice greatly appreciated thanks

if it is TOS your posture is very important, keeping your shoulders back will open up the Thoracic outlet area and reduce the pinching of the nerves. I find that massages and soaking in a hot tub helps me most of all.

If your strength tests normally on physical exam chances are slim you have permanent nerve damage.

thanks for replies

Seen oesteopath and he thinks it is all caused by inflammation at the top of my back due to the whiplash. Having lyme disease also doesn't help matters as it flares things up. I am incredibly skinny too and would love to work on my posture. What is the best book/dvd for this?

Nospam that is encouraging to hear, is loss of strength a typical manifestation? I guess if my inflammation is higher up it'll still be affecting the same nerves as TOS

I lived in London till last year and can recommend a few things. What area are you in?

I suffered a similar accident which exacerbated already present ToS from extra ribs. You can do a lot with diet. Fish oil, chlorophil and spirulina and soft touch chiro, called network spinal analysis.

Let me know if you want more info.
Best wishes,
Anna


QUOTE=crimsonbutterfly;998250]thanks for replies

Seen oesteopath and he thinks it is all caused by inflammation at the top of my back due to the whiplash. Having lyme disease also doesn't help matters as it flares things up. I am incredibly skinny too and would love to work on my posture. What is the best book/dvd for this?

Nospam that is encouraging to hear, is loss of strength a typical manifestation? I guess if my inflammation is higher up it'll still be affecting the same nerves as TOS[/QUOTE]

Oh hi, I am an Anna too lol

yes that does interest me I live in the north west of England though I wonder if there are any practitioners here. I would be interested in hearing of your experience with it. Interesting you say about fish oil, recently became vegan... though had a craving for fish today so decided to buy some salmon


[QUOTE=arlsandstrom;998262]I lived in London till last year and can recommend a few things. What area are you in?

I suffered a similar accident which exacerbated already present ToS from extra ribs. You can do a lot with diet. Fish oil, chlorophil and spirulina and soft touch chiro, called network spinal analysis.

Let me know if you want more info.
Best wishes,
Anna

Would also like to say my oesteopath told me to try and carry on as normal using my arms, well I just pegged my washing out and made tea and now my arms feel very fatigued and heavy the muscles at the tops of my arms and the forearms feel tired and tight

Hello,
Take a look thru our useful sticky thread for tips and info on various therapies & self care ideas.
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread84.html

Thanks have had a browse. It's hard to know what is caused by the lyme disease and what is following this accident as it seems to have it in both arms is quite uncommon? I feel awful today so wondering if I should continue with seeing osteopath or maybe try some mysofacial release. I've ordered Sharon Butlers Conquering Carpal Tunnel Syndrome also