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[gervaso81]

Well i have this problem with my back/ shoulder/ arm and i was wondering if its serious enough to take to the doctor. I also would like to know if anyone knows what it could be,how I've done it and is it curable without surgery

Well firstly it is a sharp pain which occurs near my shoulder,top left of my back and all the way down my arm to the end of my wrist. Every time i reach out to get something, stretch, pull with the arm, my arm freezes. it firstly numbs my whole arm sort of and then it feels like somethings is being pulled in y arm. it is a really sharp pain and causes my to keep gripping my arm whenever this happens. I can't do p.e at school or any activities which causes much movement. It will calm down after a period of time of about 2-3 days then it starts again. My dad says he doesn't think its serious enough to go to the doctor but he told me to research it online first before making any appointment. He said it may be a trapped nerve and my sister in law things I've damaged my muscle, which could mean having an operation. The top left of my back also goes partly numb and when you touch it you can't feel it but it hurts? xD, anyway, was hoping someone could tell me what it is, or what it sounds like, and what you think i should do, thanks =]

[chepito]

To me it does sound like a trapped nerve. (perhaps you have a zit on your shoulder, arm, armpit ro neck) Treat the cause and you'll get relieve. Massage helps.

If after a week you are still in pain , go to the doctor!

[caomh]

To me it does sound like a trapped nerve. (perhaps you have a zit on your shoulder, arm, armpit ro neck) Treat the cause and you'll get relieve. Massage helps.

If after a week you are still in pain , go to the doctor!

I have a similar thing and it's lasted for months - I wondered at frozen shoulder, trapped nerve, torn/detached muscle - the doctor said it's likely a rotator cuff injury, I was given a direct injection of what I think was Cortisone.
The pain is nowhere near as bad now but if that's the result of the injection it was a very long time taking effect [although it is said to be 'slow-release'], and the full range of movement is not fully restored yet.

[chepito]

Without actually doing an actual physical assessment of nerves, this is just a guess so keep that in mind.

It does sound like a pinched nerve coming from your neck or upper thoracic spine. If the pain stops short of your fingers, it's likely C5, if it goes to your thumb, it could be C6, if it goes to your pinky or ring finger, it would be C8 or T1.... (See the source for a diagram of how far affected nerves reach)

Unless there's been some sort of a trauma to your neck (whiplash, fall where you hit your head) the cause could be bad posture. Do you slouch? Sit in front of a computer, or worse, a laptop a lot?

A few quick things you can try:

1) Sit/Stand up straight at all times
2) Lift your sternum/chest up and tuck your chin in (lengthening the back of your neck)
3) Do a search for "Prone Cobra" on youtube and do that exercise, holding that position for 30s at a time (while making sure you tuck your chin in)
4) Drink more fluids, especially water. Being properly hydrated will increase space between your vertebrae, giving the nerves more space

Unless it subsides after doing the above and correcting your posture, I would suggest you go see a physical therapist or a CHEK practitioner.

Hope that helps.

Tamas