Brief Answer:
Cervical/shoulder paresthesias

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Your symptoms are consistent with what is referred to as a sensory neuropathy affecting the neck and shoulder as a result of compressing or otherwise irritating 1 or more cervical nerve roots located in the mid neck levels (C3-C5).

In someone who works out regularly of your age the most likely cause of the condition is probably related to physical exertion involving the neck which caused some type of twisting or torsion. It also could be that the neck has degenerative arthritic changes (consistent for age) resulting in reduction in caliber of the spinal canal or the neural formina (passage ways) through which nerves pass as they exit the neck into the shoulder and arm. This is turn can become a source of irritation or compression of the specific nerve root or roots involved in the problem.

The best way to track this down medically is to obtain either a CT scan of the neck or better yet an MRI of the cervical spine which may show the arthritic changes mentioned above. A neurological exam of the neck and shoulder will identify sensory and motor deficits that can then, be correlated to the radiographic findings in order to finalize the diagnosis.

Treatment would be based upon the final diagnosis but in the vast majority of cases is self limited and does not require complex interventions. Neck exercises to stretch, improve range of motion, in addition to heat therapy or ultrasound is often employed.

The condition will usually resolve itself with proper rest and neck exercises in 50% of the cases if it is a compressive type of problem. If symptoms persist or become worse then, a visit to a surgeon might be necessary but I would not recommend this as a first option at this stage of the presentation.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards

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Brief Answer:
Follow up question

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

If the symptoms persist while maintaining the erect posture then, obviously you'll feel more comfortable if you were to find a different position to hold. The reason could be due to the relief of pressure against nerve roots or other structures that may be comprising blood flow to those nerves. This would be the equivalent to one's hand falling "asleep" or leg. People tend to "wake" their limbs up by moving them into different positions and doing things to stimulate blood flow with the result being an improvement in symptoms.

Therefore, if you have noticed that a certain position is associated with the onset, persistence, or maintenance of symptoms such as you describe then, my advice is to get it checked out sooner rather than later since the FIX now is probably simpler than later when things may get to a point where no matter what position you assume the symptoms are present or even worse than what they are at present. Make sense?

BTW, you may have just found a good IMAGING POSITION to demonstrate the most compression or narrowing of the spinal canal or resistance to articular structures of the spinal column in the neck/shoulder girdle (i.e. standing during X-ray, CT, etc.) and should mention this to your doctor or radiology technician since stress positions can be used to show better detail in this sort of case rather than simply lying on a bed or table where less symptoms are felt.

Hope I have answered your query.

Regards

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