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What structures make up the spine? We review basic spine anatomy here...before identifying potential causes of back pain....
Click here to learn about the most common causes of back pain, and things that increase your risk of backache. We cover lower back pain and upper back pain....
Back pain symptoms may seem obvious. But do you know when symptoms of back pain are more serious or when to see a doctor? Learn what action to take & when...
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Q: Numbness?
asked by: PamX on November 5th, 2003
New User
Ok...
I need help. I have no insurance until 01/2004 just started a new job.
Here's the prob. About a month or two ago my spine started hurting, around the middle or so. Ok, I thought another prob. Anyway,, I noticed my right arm from the wrist to the elbow was numb, I thought id might have sleep on it, but after 4 weeks I think not. Well, I noticed my left arm samething...Elbow to wrist is numb??
Im only 41 I know I need to see a dr, but im trying to wait till im covered.
Any help,,,,please im falling apart!
Thank you....Feel free to pm me

Laughing
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Replies(16)
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alisonjoan
replied on June 1st, 2004
New User
Me Too
Almost same story but numbness is in my back and one leg. New job - and this has been going on 2 months - er and orthopedist both ignored this symptom. It is past1/04 did you get checked out and if so what did they find . What I am feeling is like hitting your funny bone and it is unbearable.
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Venugopal
replied on July 1st, 2004
Experienced User
Re: Numbness...
There could be a compression of the nerve fibres in the cervical spine leading to pain or numbness of the upper limbs, in your case in both the hands between elbow and wrist.
Homeopathic medicine has good remedies like sang can, plumbum met, calc flour which can get rid of the numbness and prevent them from recurring too.
Dr.Venugopal gouri.
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algosdoc
replied on July 1st, 2004
Experienced User
Beware of "homeopathic" Remedies And Diagnoses
Homeopaths make wild guesses at diagnosis then prescribe untested chemicals to fit their presumed diagnosis. They lack the basic skills in anatomy, physiology, and diagnostic medicine to be of any value.
Cervical disc herniations only extremely rarely cause numbness from the elbow to the wrist without having pain shooting from the neck all the way down the arm. When you can see a real physician who will more likely than not tell you that you have experienced an ulnar nerve compression which results in numbness from the elbow to the wrist. Homeopathic medicines do not help treat or cure either intervertebral disc problems nor nerve compression. This kind of nonsense may be acceptable in the jungles of india, but is not acceptable in the us.
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Venugopal
replied on July 1st, 2004
Experienced User
Making such hypotheses I do not know from which jungle but here in india, one becomes a homeopathic physician , after going through a five and half year course comprising of anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, microbiology, social & preventive medicine, gynaecology & obstetrics, ent, opthalmology, medicine, basics of surgery etc.
If one does not know, one should ask but do not spread false rumours about something else which they do not know.
About technical competence, nobody is an authority.

Go back to the jungles and learn more.

Dr.Venugopal gouri.
Bhms (bachelor of homeopathic medicine & surgery)
consultant homeopathic physician.
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algosdoc
replied on July 1st, 2004
Experienced User
I Stand By My Statements.
The repeated inaccuracies and assumptions posted by homeopaths demonstrate a severe deficit in understanding of anatomy, physiology, pathology, and radiology, regardless of the formal training in such. Perhaps 5 and 1/2 years simply isn't long enough to become a physician. In our country the minimum time is 8 years after a 4 year bachelors degree. I suppose ya get what ya pay for....
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Venugopal
replied on July 1st, 2004
Experienced User
But it is not surprising though, the five and half year old graduates teach the ones to go through eight year old degree.
Choice or no choice.
One has every right to talk about other's inaccuracies if one feels so but does not mean that they can talk through the hat about others.
Dr.Venugopal gouri.
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algosdoc
replied on July 1st, 2004
Experienced User
Breaker Breaker...
Hey good buddy, your english is breaking up. Why don't you skip the idioms of speech and try saying what you mean. Are you sure you went to college? Are you sure you are really a "doctor", even a homeopathic one?
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DESAVIEW888
replied on July 15th, 2004
New User
Algosdoc is obviuosly very knowledgeable but from what I read so is drvenu. Western medicine has its strengths but also weaknesses if u know what I mean. I believe in the holistic approach to the human condition and western medicine alone is not very good in that.

Western medicine is good for emergencies and chinese and indian medicine is preferred for maintenace of the human body. Western medicine is good for diagnosis but often produces no solutions. I think western doctors are not justified to criticise other medical practises because very often they really work. It is just they dont know why.
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algosdoc
replied on July 15th, 2004
Experienced User
Doesn't Matter
Whether western medicine or oriental medicine, it is the standard in the us to provide proof. It doesn't matter if one doesn't know why something does not work, but because of fraud in medicine, in our country it is the obligation of both the patient and practitioner to prove their effectiveness. It is not only "ok" to critique another area of expertise when they do not or cannot provide proof, but it is absolutely necessary.
Perhaps in some asian countries, that is not the case, but since this forum is based in the us and questions are coming from us patients, standards (or lack thereof) from asian countries do not apply.
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DESAVIEW888
replied on July 16th, 2004
New User
The so called standard of proof favours the big corporations, the chemicals and patentable products. This has denied us patients, due to this brain washing, many products, processes and methods which are cheaply available and works and in many cases are also logical cos these alternatives in most cases strengthen the human body against myriad illnesses. Except in the case of emergencies, our population prefers oriental medicine first ( even amongst the rich) cos in the first place they strengthen the body and no harm is done to the human body unlike western medicine's mainly symtomatic relief which weakens the body.

We believe most pain, discomforts and general illments will disappear once the body-mind is brought back to balance through relaxation exercises, chi/oxygen, avoidance of acidic food/drinks, movements/exercises, correct lifestyle with emphasis on balance.
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algosdoc
replied on July 17th, 2004
Experienced User
Nice!
It is nice that your culture is able to wish away pain by simply bringing the mind into balance. Our society is not so fortunate. Therefore, do not even begin to presume your oriental methods to work in a western culture. They do not. I am happy malaysia doesn't need western medicine! Saves a significant amount of money!
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PattyV
replied on July 17th, 2004
Extremely eHealthy
Crying or Very sad you have not answered this poor woman's question.Instead you need to be right.All of you have valid points,western medicine could learn something from eastern medicine as far as the mind/body connection and the power of positive thinking.Take your differences outside and pm each other with your bickering.This woman is looking for help,not confrontation.
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algosdoc
replied on July 18th, 2004
Experienced User
Answered...
Obviously you do not read with any degree of understanding. The fourth post has the ostensible diagnosis and solution. There are no other solutions which have been proven to be effective.
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PattyV
replied on July 18th, 2004
Extremely eHealthy
Look,i'm not trying to start an argument here,but quite often I have seen several debates over clinical diagnosis and the proper treatment.No one has seen these people to do an accurate exam,and as always there will be differences in clinical judgment.That does not mean that anyone is correct or incorrect.People are looking for help here not arguments over traditional medicine vs. Alternative medicine.One size does not fit all and an open mind is a wonderful thing.I have the utmost respect for the profession,after all, it has earned me and my family a nice living over the last 23 years.However,i have seen cases where traditional medicine had exhausted all means and alternative medicine had succeeded.It would be nice if western medicine could be a little more accepting of complementary therapies.I'm not saying replace it totally,but to integrate the best of both.No disrespect intended to anyone,just upsets me to see educated people resort to namecalling.Pattyv
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algosdoc
replied on July 18th, 2004
Experienced User
Medicine Vs. Alternative Systems...
Medicine is a system of treatment which uses science, controlled studies, and the best outcome measurements available in order to assure the public of the safest and most effective treatments. Alternatives with the misnomer "alternative medicine" are largely belief systems without any substantiation except for single cases or without any placebo controls. This does not imply belief systems have no value. There are many who believe in voodoo, ouiji boards, tarrot cards, etc. Who claim that these belief systems help them in their lives. There are others who claim allah gives them the power to destroy and homicide individuals and control entire countries with tyrannical rule, thereby improving the plight of the people.
The point is that these are simply beliefs without any basis in proof or fact. Prayer in medicine has recently been disproven as a viable entity however that doesn't mean there is no value in prayer.
Claiming alternative systems based on beliefs, hopes, and prayers can replace centuries of research and proof is what is absurd. Using western medicine and alternative therapies in the same sentence is counterintuitive and illogical because the former is based on science while the latter is based on old wives tales.
Old wives tales may have merit, but in order to be comparable in any way to medical science, there has to be proof.
One should not fall into the trap of believing that if medical science cannot deliver the desired results, then alternative methods should be used since they are harmless. They are not. Instead, they are untested for safety or efficacy. We do not know the true amount of harm they are causing because the practitioners who recommend such are too lazy to do the study to demonstrate they are not simply charlatans. Caveat emptor.
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wmjoca
replied on July 18th, 2004
New User
Numbness
If I could jump in with a comment/question regarding my own numbness and an opinion on the lady's arm numbness. First, my problem. I had a cervical disc herniation, c5,c6 last year. I had, prior to surgery experienced a burning right thumb with numbness, weakness in the right arm with terrible pain and neck spasms. It is painful for anything to touch my thumb and it is constantly burning. 14 months after surgery it is no better but my neck pain and right arm pain is better. I have persistent weakness in the arm. The doctor does not respond as this was a workers comp case with poor reimbursement. Does anyone think my thumb will get better and if not, is there any treatment. (i will not try homoepathics).

The lady sounds to me like carpal tunnel syndrome.
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