hurts when arm hangs off side of table

[Curley]

A client of mine was on table and had her left arm hanging off side of table, her neck hurts when extending, left side of neck,shoulder and arm have slight numbness also going into index and ring finger. I worked on all neck muscles with extra on capitis found tight scalenes,knots in traps, tight triceps and biceps. Can anyone suggest some more specific muscles to work? I did work the whole back,neck and arms but would like to do more next visit. Client has had this problem for 6 months and sees a chiro who sent her to me, This was her first visit. Only had 1/2 hour today. Next visit will be an hour. Any suggestions?

 

[Andrew Tegeler]

Also check her pecs, especially pec minor. Keep working the scalenes, too. It's very hard to get it all in half an hour, and if the condition has been going on for so long, it may take a few massages to get things looser and staying looser. There is a cumulative effect to massage.

Do you do any MFR? Nice, long and steady arm pulls do wonders for the neck & shoulders. Prolonged neck and pec stretches are also very helpful.

 

[Bobber Geldkraft]

I second the suggestion to stretch and/or traction the shoulder joint. Walt Fritz has some helpful pics on his website, though I'm not on my home computer, so I don't have the link at hand.

 

[ricardo d]

Have you done any of the orthopedic assessment tests for thoracic outlet syndrome? They may help you rapidly assess where the likely source is located so you can spend you time in the most productive areas. You might start with Adson's test, and you can find good instructionals online.

I second the suggestion of checking the pecs. Also consider SCM, longus colli, and infraspinatus - I have occasionally found these referring symptoms similar to those you've described.

 

[Wing]

Thanks everyone, I have worked all you have suggested and she is doing better. I spent considerable time on the neck muscles and this has worked well. Love the shoulder pull idea! I don't do any MFR but I stretched the shoulder area slowly. Client loved this.

 

[60 Million Voted Me]

I have had really good results with John Barnes' arm pull & releasing the long & tight muscles - per Erik Dalton (forward head posture segment).

 

[Charlie]

It might help to know if this is happening when your client is prone or supine. I suspect it is while supine?

 

[nice hard worker]

peacenut, this happens when lying prone.