I am going to talk to you today about arm sciatica. You did not know that there could be sciatica of the arm… And you were right! But the word “sciatica” has aroused your curiosity, because sciatica, everyone knows it, and fears it. If I had told you: “cervico-bracchial neuralgia”, that would not even have appealed to you. This is why I spoke about sciatica of the arm!… You suppose that we find the same symptoms as for sciatica, not on the level of the back, but on the arm. You burn, but it should be specified that the sciatica does not does not sum up the back pain.
The sciatic nerve starts from the spine and goes to the toes, passing through the buttock, thigh and leg. This explains why when this nerve suffers, we can suffer in all these places. Well the equivalent at the top, for the shoulder, arm and hands, is called the cervico-bracchial nerve.
And difference, cervico-bracchial neuralgia is even more painful than sciatica. With an unpleasant characteristic. Those who suffer from sciatica identify very well the place where they suffer and especially the movements that cause this suffering. It is therefore enough to stop moving or not to make any movement for the pain to stop. In cervico-bracchial neuralgia, there is none of that.
The pain occurs anywhere along the path of the nerve, in the form of electric shock or numbness in the fingers, violent pain in the elbow, shoulder, and no change in position relieves it. . Sleep is almost impossible. In some cases, not so rare, it is a real emergency because of the intensity of this pain, and the exhaustion it causes.
Sciatica is often caused by a hernia or poor spinal disc in the lower back. If the hernia in the neck may exist, most of the time, it is the inflammation that hinders the exit of the nerve, and this inflammation is mainly due to osteoarthritis.
So what can we do? Well, first of all, stay a little humble. We can relieve – fortunately – failing to know how to treat. And it is nature that will solve the problem in 6 weeks. Usually, no more, no less.
We can still help this nature. First, because – as you will often hear me repeat – it is unacceptable in our country to let people suffer when we have very powerful drugs. And there, we must not hesitate and overcome the reluctance of doctors, and also of patients, to use powerful, very powerful drugs. Just like the anti-inflammatory drugs that will overcome the inflammation. And the most powerful are high-dose corticosteroids. These are drugs that do not have a good reputation, yet have saved thousands of lives.
Again, the correctness of the prescription can make a drug an angel or a devil. In the case of cervicobraccial neuralgia, they have a magical effect. On condition of scrupulously respecting the prescription. In particular, the terms of termination. Because in high doses, they block the natural secretion, which is vital, and it was absolutely necessary to restart the machine by gradually reducing the doses over one to two weeks depending on the starting level.
On the other hand, we very rarely need surgery: in the event of a hernia due to trauma, perhaps. But I repeat it for those who, at the moment, suffer from this, there are many: in six weeks, the problem is solved … if it is indeed that!
Some of you are probably tempted by the manipulations. I have nothing against osteopaths who work after having verified by radio that it is not a fracture that they are going to worsen. If your osteopath does not benefit from this examination, it is true that I have a doubt. In cervico bracchial neuralgia, their remedy is not obvious. On the other hand, so-called gentle pull-ups done by a competent physiotherapist or osteopath can be helpful. Just like wearing a neck brace, mobile, at neck level, which can prevent movements that generate inflammation.
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