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Had a scan, got a couple of herniated discs in my neck, one of them is pinching a nerve, which means my left shoulder and arm are constantly suffering from pins and needles and soreness in areas, this isn't the first time unfortunately, it went away, but back again, as it's a chronic issue due to the neck. This time i'm getting proper pins and needles and numbness right into the hand, and it also feels like a pressure build up when sitting down, or lying on my left or right side, raising the left arm over my head helps, but sleeping like that is a bit hard!
So is this life going forward, biking is a bit hard like this for proper mountain biking, as my left arm isn't the best for confidence when it's gone numb or feels higher pressure, will be seeing a chiropractor soon, but as it's basically arthritis in the neck that's caused this, not holding out hope, anyone else suffering this and able to treat it?
Sorry to hear that, I've got the same thing. Finally had it diagnosed by an MRI scan as a herniated disc between c4/5. This had caused osteophytes, bone growths, that are pinching the nerves down my arms. I have had medication and physio. I try to just use stretching exercises as the medication is not very nice. I have 1 flare up a year, average, and with careful management and luck, I can get these down to a 3 weeks or so in duration. During that time I don't ride and try not to do the things that provoke it, sitting down is really bad for me, luckily I can walk about all day at work and lay down when I get home. It can be managed and still ride. Good luck
Acupuncture was my best friend for my disc problems. Worth a go. I was told if you don't start to see any improvement after 3 sessions then itmay nit work for you so no need to keep throwing money at it.
It worked on my neck and same symptoms as you( consultant was considering fusing them but thankfully it cleared up). Also worked on lower spine. I had about 4 or 5 sessions the was good for a year or so. Then it flared up again and a couple of sessions fixed it. Not had any issues for years now
I found PRN amitriptyline helped me sleep when having bouts of neurogenic pain but I wouldn't want to use it long term due to side effects.
Cheers, had the MRI a while back after the first bout, think it's the C5 and C6, it's the left arm all the way down, first bout was numbness and pins and needles, this pressure feel all the way down to the hand is a new one this time round, especially sat down. I was already struggling sitting down with my hip (getting a new one in 6 weeks!), but this is doubling down.
Already on amitriptyline for sleeping, but i think it's worse than last time, as sleeping on either side gets the pressure feel, so only on my back with arm over head is good, so you can tell how often i wake up now! Also got naproxen, but realistically, not sure they're doing anything now, and not happy being on them permanently either.
I'll have a good 6 weeks of rest after the hip op, so might mean a reset for the neck as well, but it's chronic now, and happening more often than the good periods.
I’ve suffered from similar (bulging disc) for over 15 years…only thing that manages it is a low height pillow at night, or better still, no pillow.
Yoga has helped too.
AC dislocation after my neck injury stopped me sleeping on my side, so lie on back pretty exclusively.
I rarely have issues other than the odd whacky sensation somewhere in my extremities, if I’ve not followed my no/low pillow rule!
21 years since first diagnosed with C5 disc herniation aka rugby neck. Now on issues C4 C5 and c7. Limited or no feeling in right hand, pins and needles for me I suffer from headaches due to the impingement, they are the worst.Over the years had bouts of not Riding, current one since 2020, just doing some rides now. Also had really good times, 2x Fred whitton, riding in Pyrenees, lakes district,.
I would never use a chiropractor....I did and worse decision I made.
Acupuncture absolutely works for me, recommended.
Osteopath is my regular treatment.
Developing a mobility programme helps as does a strength regime. Not 200kgs strong lifts
Keeping the blood flowing is essential I would say, anything active helps.
Pillows and comfortable position absolutely essential.
Holding your neck out of position due to restricted movement will throw out your alignment so other things will hurt., So consider how you are holding or positioning yourself.
Riding wise, my bike set up would be mocked by some but I have to adapt to my range of motion. I cannot ride a hardtail or rigid but I was up to 2020, listen to your body and not fashionistas. Bar end on risers .....if it helps do it. Low stack heights not working for me.
Good luck and keep moving.
Ps remember work need to accommodate your needs re your health issues
It's 21 years since I got similar - C4 in my case. From a combination of (a) a bike off in ice, then (b) a few weeks later smacked my head whilst kayaking.
I had the pins and needles + the fingers in my hand felt like it was burning + couldn't move the fingers for the first a few days.
As per others I had some acupuncture and that helped.
Also had gentle traction on my neck (at an NHS physio) a couple of times a week for several months. that really really helped - just taking the pressure off the nerve a bit for a period helped 'reset'. (I'm told it's not done on the NHS now, so you may need to shop around).
In my case it took about a year to be back mountain biking. First few months were just physio.several times a week, then onto a turbo, then maybe onto gentle road / old railway line trails after 6 or 7 months..but with a clear 'exercise is good for it as blood flows... crashing is really bad for it' - they told be clearly thst I could be part paralysed if I crashes again on it and damage it again before (in my case) the vertebrae fuse.
Religiously doing what ever exercises they give you at a physio is essential.
Chiro ? Osteopath ? Hmmm... I'd not let those witch doctors anywhere near my spine.
Herniated discs in neck plus chiropractor - no thanks!
Decent physio would also be my recommendation, don't be afraid to get a second opinion before anyone starts working on it.
I’ve had the same on two occasions. It does get better but takes plenty of time. A good physio will help if you can find one. A poor physio is a total waste of time. Hard to find a good one!
Plenty of gentle stretching and patience is about all you can do.
Personally, I wouldn’t go near a chiropractor.