Arm pain-does this sound like a trapped nerve?

[Bombaypotatoes]

Numbness and tingling in my left arm. Been on and off since Christmas. Usually bearable but today it's been happening every time I raise my arm or type on my keyboard.
Does it sound like a trapped nerve? And is that something I should go to the GP for? It's a nightmare getting an appointment so if possible I'd like to avoid it.

Where is the pain and tingling exactly? Do you wake up with a numb arm, or numb fingers (pinkie and the one next to it) with a strip of numbness from fingers up to the elbow?

Yes it could be (I'm not a doctor, but I work in pain management). You need to get it checked out I'm afraid.

If you can afford it I'd recommend seeing a physio who will be able to assess the issue and recommend some safe exercises that could help. Pay particular attention to your posture too.

It starts at my elbow and the tingling goes down in a strip almost to my hand. The whole hand feels numb and has a dull achy feeling. Then my pinky and thumb are the worst. Usually comes and goes so it's not always there when I wake up but sometimes is.
I could try a physio. I assume I can google a local one and just call them up and book an appointment?

Ive had a similar experience with both arms since last november. It stems from my neck - ive seen a physio and also had neck and shoulder massages and been given exercises. It is slowly getting better.

As its your left arm i think you should get checked out by dr on an emergency appointment as it could be signs of a stroke - probably not but needs to be ruled out. Might also be carpal tunnel.

If its a trapped nerve could take a while to get better - but at least its not serious. Hope you gst it sorted.

GP appt to rule out anything systemic/serious. A reputable physio/osteopath will want to know if you're arranging to see your GP.

I have also had similar in both arms stemming, like bilbodog, from the back of the neck.

It seems that a lot of hand/wrist problems are either back/neck/shoulder problems in disguise OR require good back/neck/shoulder posture before they can get better.

Osteopaths are better than physios at massage and manipulation
Physios are better than Osteos at prescribing exercises.

But ultimately you're probably heading for a lifetime of Pilates classes like the rest of us....

Ok, it sounds like mine (it was from the neck), I'd suggest seeing your GP about it. What sorted mine out was getting rid of the second pillow on my bed and using a really flat one. It took a bit of getting used to tho

@bilbodog and @Neverthelessshepersisted - with your arm issues that were triggered by a neck problem - think you said both arms? Did you have any pain or weakness in your arms? Or was it just the tingling?

I've had tingling in right arm, pins and needles in right hand, pain in right arm. Now it is affecting my left arm too, but not as much. Both arms feel achy and tired and worse if I try to lift them. If I lay on my bed and put my arm out to the right parallel with my shoulder, I get pain.

I've also had some neck and shoulder pain but not that badly.

Because of it affecting both arms and it's so bizarre to suddenly have such heavy weak feeling arms I'm starting to think the worst re something like MS. It'd be great to hear your stories re your arm and neck issues.

Since i wrote that it turned out my neck problems stemmed from wearing the wrong glasses at work! I was using vari-focals to use a computer and was tilting my head at a funny angle so i could read the screen using the bottom portion of the glasses. Once I changed my glasses i could read the screen from a normal angle and the problem eventually disappeared. I hope you manage to find out whats wrong. I cant even remember now how i worked out it was my glasses!

ZOMBIE thread by the way!

Sorry to resurrect a zombie! I'm a bit desperate so just searching online for anything relevant.

Glad you sorted out the problem and worked out it was your wrong glasses head tilt!

Did you need treatment for the neck / arm issue or did it just go away when you stopped the head tilt?