I've been reading...I think this is a pinched nerve in my neck. I am in throbbing pain down my neck -- to about my bra strap...goes across my shoulders. There are mornings I wake up that I have tingling right down my arms!

Chiro said I have compression on the discs....from xray and mri.

I am going to talk to him again tomorrow. What would a nerve conduction test show or do for me?

Should I be seeing a spine specialist?

Before doing anything else, I strongly recommend that you make an appt with a massage therapist skilled in neuromuscular therapy (most MTs are, in the US).

The odds are in your favor: the symptoms you described are almost always caused, not by spinal problems, but by trigger points in muscles of the neck or chest muscles. First, a short description of trigger points. TrPs are painful knots in taut bands of muscle that cause the entire muscle to become hypertense and compress its underlying nerve(s)-- in the case of TOS, the brachial plexus nerves that serve the hand, shoulder, and arm. The three scalene muscles of the lateral neck, when overly tense, compress the brachial plexus which passes beneath them, then goes lateral for a couple of inches before crossing beneath the pectorals in the chest and on down the arm.

Since you said you feel pain down the neck, hypertonicity in the scalenes are likely the cause.

Now, I certainly can't diagnose. But if I am correct and trigger points are at fault, a session with a massage therapist will save you thousands of dollars in medical bills and negate the need for surgery. If I'm wrong, and it is something more serious such as problems within the vertebra, the massage therapy session won't do you any harm (and will feel really good).

wtrpk,

I would suggest trying to find a Physical therapist with good skills in myofacial release. It has some relation to the trigger point issues gary mentioned by the therapist has far more training than a simple massage therapist. Many massage therapists tend to over state their skill set.

If you can find a PT who works in a PT clinic that has a specialty in spine and cervical issues, that would be great. As I mentioned in another post, some of the new spinal traction machines can carefully measure the forces applied.

I saw my PT last Thursday for neck issues. I was a mess. One session and I am much better. Just myofacial release treatments. No range of motion or stretching treatments. I see her again next week after allowing my neck to settle down.

Hope you can find a good MR PT. They are worth their weight in gold.

btw, a nerve conduction test (EMG) will just show if there is a nerve blockage in your arm or if it is higher up. An expensive and sometimes uncomfortable test just to rule out carpal tunnel syndrome or a elbow or such nerve impingement. I have had two different nerve conduction tests. One with long needles and one without. Both were pricey.

My money is on your neck.

My best to you.

I have had several massages. One woman is very skilled and she explained a lot of what you did. I didn't see much relief.

My chiropractor massages in my wing area most times. He seems to think (along with the dentist -- that most of it is coming from the tmj and neck area. I did forceably hit the back of my head ...in that whiplash back forth motion.

I get this weird throbbing thru my whole body...sometimes all day -- other times is on and off. Like today -- all day and I saw the chiro already. He did traction today. I've already iced my neck... no relief.

Everything hurts...top of head, cheeks, ears, around eyes, back of neck thru to my bra strap...and across my shoulders.

I am wearing the orthotic pulling the lower jaw forward...which could be some of the extra pain. Who knows...i just want it to end!!

I guess I have to set up another massage...sometimes I feel so awful I don't even want my body touched!