ozz Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 I woke up in pain last year, severe neck pain and 2 fingers/thumb were numb and went down to about 20% strenght in left arm (couldn't even lift my coat over my head). Saw my local authority physio (they've helped me loads with slipped disc and I was just about recovered and training again) and they helped get me moving again, pain reduced after 2 months and I've got back to maybe 50-60% strength on left side (I was warming up at 80kg bench press, now I max at 60kg, gutted). Anyway, fast forward many months, I've started training again and still at 60% strength on left, no pain though and no tingling. I never had an MRI as it was improving and the physio told me it would take months/years to recover if nerve damage. I'm wondering if I should take it further - ie, see a specialist physio, or accupuncture, or even go private with bupa for an mri. I have full mobility, no pain, but it really impacts my weight training, which effects my state of mind etc. Or should I just continue light training and hope I get stronger, I know its stressing my shoulder to press so I wonder if some muscles aren't working - my tricep extension weight is down, but curling not too bad. Squat/dead no issue, pec bench no issue. Odd indeed. Anyway, anyone had similar issues and has an idea where I should go next? I've fallen out with my doctors over some other stuff so may switch practises which isn't helping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseys Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 Going to a surgeon for a consult / MRI myself on the 18th, landed flat on my back and did what appears to be muscle damage which then caused sciatic nerve problems (numb shoulder / leg) Like you, I can't do everything I want at the gym now, I have the strength at times, but I just don't have the stamina and stamina training is quite hard to do. Also working on the obliques is damn near impossible I have also found physios differ in their methodology and approaches greatly. Some are std exercise based, my new one is trying to get me to do pilates and we've also tried acupuncture (which I'm skeptic about to be honest) and also sports massage has helped. Maybe worth trying massage or yes trying to go for an MRI to see if you've got any scar tissue from your injury and find out your options from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdistc Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 Personally, I'd send you to a neurologist for an opinion, and they'd most likely order a repeat MRI (possibly with a contrast medium to help zero in on any disc or thecal sac involvement) and nerve conduction studies (to determine how much of the nerve is carrying the signal). From my experience, however, nerve damage can happen VERY quickly (if impinged between two bony surfaces, for example) but takes a very very long time to repair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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