[LooknForCheapOrFree]

Has anyone ever had a pinched nerve in the shoulder blade or know someone who has experienced this? The agonizing pain shoots down my left arm and my fingers have a numbing, tingling feeling.
Any advice on relieving the pain would be deeply appreciated!!!

[joshmamabear]

do you have some painful blisters and/or rash in the area you feel the pain? did you have chicken pox anytime in the past? if you have those blisters and a positive history of chicken pox, you may have herpes zoster. This is a self limiting viral infection usually treated by a short course antivirals plus supportive therapy for pain and/or itching.

if there's no signs of rash/blisters and it is pinched nerve, the MD may order ancillary procedures (X-rays are useless in suspected cases of pinched nerves) to determine the treatment plan. Sometimes, a bad posture can cause pinch nerves which a good chiropractor can fix.

I hope you get well soon

[polydoly13]

My suggestion is a chiropractor too - I can't life without mine. I think most insurance companies will pay for a few treatments a year and if you don't have ins then it's prob $40ish for a visit, although the first visit will prob be more.

Sometimes when I have back pain and there is a specific spot I take a tennis ball and lay on the floor with the tennis ball under that spot, that won't necessarily put anything back in place though - it's just my way of massaging my back. Or you can put the ball between you and a wall and get a similar effect.

[LooknForCheapOrFree]

No blisters, I really think it's a pinched nerve. I think a chiropractor is probably my best bet also. I'm certainly getting ready to try the tennis ball though! Thanks so much!!!

[Kayline]

I had a pinched nerve in my shoulder/neck area with the same symptoms as you describe. I thought I was having a heart attack!

My general practitioner gave me a Cortisone shot, which helped IMMENSELY within about 48 hours; pain pills helped in the meantime. One side of my middle and ring fingers did stay numb for a long time, but I had no more pain.

I personally would not waste my time with a chiropractor, although I know there are a lot of folks who swear by them.

[Sillz]

I would use some heat to relax it,maybe 20 heat,10min ice,see your chiro,or DO . I been there done that.

[Kayline]

If it truly is a pinched nerve, I don't think heat will help. Ice, maybe but not heat.

[polydoly13]

I always thought heat was the way to go - you know loosen things up, yada yada, until I hurt my back and now it's ICE ICE ICE. I know heat serves a good purpose, but if there's ever any inflamation - it makes it SO MUCH worse. I know chiropractic work scares ppl and some find in controversial, but in my opinion it's the only way to go when there are skeletal issues.

I would recommend you find a chiropractor through friends/colleagues, get some opinions. I think regular Dr's are not trained for fixing skeletal issues - alot of times they want to mask the problems with meds, where as a Chiropractor can put the bones back where they belong, thus fixing the issue, not covering it up. If it's really bad you may want to follow up with a good massage. You don't have to do a whole hour, you can find someone to do a half hour or so and tell them what you want focused on.

I also know that some Chiropractors get bad raps - yes there are bad ones out there, just like in any profession - but overall I think they are lifesavers. I've literally been carried into the office by my DH and been able to walk out!!!

[randomequine]

The trick with a chiro is finding a good one....I mean, a GOOD one.

I saw one last year for a pinched shoulder/scapular nerve that was terrible. I felt.....okay......after all of my adjustments. But just okay. Plus, it was $30 every time I wanted to go. Eventually, I just stopped going.

However, about two months ago I started hearing and reading things about this amazing chiropractor that had an expensive first visit, but was only $15/visit after that. He did nerve studies, xrays, and thermography to see exactly what was wrong. He then based my adjustments on what he saw was wrong, not what he thought perhaps might be wrong. It made a world of difference. This guy is bigger and much more hands on - when I walk out of his office, I feel amazing. He uses all sorts of methods (adjusting me on the bench, against the wall, etc) (that sounds kind of dirty ) and does an excellent job

[Sillz]

if its inflamed then only ice,pinched I would use heat.

[Kayline]

I made one visit to an M.D. and my problem was solved with no recurrence. I simply see no justification for multiple visits to a chiro except maybe to pad his pockets...but maybe that's just me.

[Sandeegirl]

I had the same pain, numbness, thought i had a stroke. it was from a rupture in #7 in my neck, I had been in a very bad car accident. I would suggest before you do anything go to the Dr. A MRI will show what's going on, my pain was from the nerve at the rupture. Heat, the steroid shots helped. I have a Dr who suggest Chiro. but for me it was a no go because it could cause further complications. Good luck, hope you feel better soon.

[LooknForCheapOrFree]

Thanks everyone! I did go to the chiropractor, but he would not touch me. He sent me straight to the Dr. They scheduled a MRI for Monday and I can't wait! This is too much pain. The cortisone shot helped a little but definitely need the pain medicine right now. Thanks again for all your help!!!

[baybeenurse]

You most likely either have a slipped or ruptured disc in your cervical/thoracic spine..I ruptured c6-7 and slipped c5-6 and had exactly your symptoms..no known incident caused it that I was aware of, btw..severe pain between my blades down my left arm to my elbow and numbness/tingling in my 2 and 3 fingers lasted for 2 weeks and the pain subsided..but I opted for surgery, had that in 2005 and never another pain or numbness since..that numbness/tingling can become permanent if left untreated over time.....all the best!

[Goddessoflubbock]

Originally Posted by LooknForCheapOrFree

Thanks everyone! I did go to the chiropractor, but he would not touch me. He sent me straight to the Dr. They scheduled a MRI for Monday and I can't wait! This is too much pain. The cortisone shot helped a little but definitely need the pain medicine right now. Thanks again for all your help!!!

I hope they can help you. I had this recurring for most of the 80s, finally figured out it was the weight/off balance of my purse and briefcase!! Once I slimmed them both down to essentials only the pinched nerve never happened again.

[mforward]

Mine was stress. I was so stressed out at my job that I had neck pain, shoulder blade pain and numbness from elbow into my fingers - my pinky finger would be completely numb. Doc gave me valium - didn't work....gave me Rx ibuprofin - didn't work. did an xray - nothing. was going to do a nerve study next when my DH made me go to his chiropractor. He did xrays as well. The adjustments, massage chair and ice on my neck eventually helped but getting a less stressful job....that was the cure.

[hrhmom]

It could be something as simple as sitting at the computer too long. Are you left handed? Could be tendonitis/ tennis elbow from over use of a mouse. Leaning over a table a lot for coupon sorting? Are you heavy chested? That adds to it, too. Heat would work for stiff muscles but ice would work for inflammation that is pinching a nerve.

[vbchick87]

I had this, one morning I was blow drying my hair and all of a sudden WHAM! Shooting pain down my right arm, I dropped the blow dryer and could hardly move it the whole day. Saw my doc that afternoon and they gave me some extra strength ibuprofen and muscle relaxers as well as schedules me for physical therapy. However after about 2 days the psi went away and I didn't ever go to therapy. It still comes back every now and then but usually goes away after a couple hours. How long have you been feeling the pain for?