Is Hand Numbness From the Neck or Wrist?
Hand numbness can originate from multiple locations: neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist. You cannot determine the cause by symptoms alone. Muscle response testing helps differentiate the causes.
Possible Nerve Compression Sites
Nerves traveling from the neck to the hand can be compressed at any of these locations:
① Cervical Spine (C5-C8 Nerve Roots)
Cause: Cervical disc herniation, spinal stenosis
Symptoms: Neck/shoulder pain with hand numbness, worse when looking up
② Thoracic Outlet (Neck-Shoulder Area)
Cause: Compression between scalene muscles and first rib
Symptoms: Entire arm feels heavy, worse when raising arm
Learn about Thoracic Outlet Syndrome →③ Elbow (Ulnar Nerve)
Cause: Ulnar nerve compression on inner elbow
Symptoms: Numbness in ring and pinky fingers, worse when bending elbow
④ Wrist (Carpal Tunnel)
Cause: Median nerve compression in carpal tunnel
Symptoms: Numbness in thumb/index/middle fingers, worse at night, improves with hand shaking
Learn about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome →Can One Test Differentiate All Causes?
You can’t tell just from MRI or nerve conduction studies
MRI shows structural problems, nerve tests measure signal transmission. But if multiple sites are compressed or functional problems exist, imaging alone is insufficient. That’s why we use muscle response testing.
How Muscle Response Testing Helps
Muscle response testing applies pressure to suspected compression sites while checking for changes in hand strength or numbness. This identifies which areas are problematic.
- Example 1: Pressure on wrist → Numbness worsens → Wrist problem
- Example 2: Pressure on neck → Numbness worsens → Neck problem
- Example 3: Both wrist and neck pressure → Numbness worsens → Multiple sites involved
Multiple Sites Often Involved
Hand numbness frequently has more than one cause. For example, mild neck compression + wrist inflammation together cause symptoms. All problematic areas must be treated.
Circulation Treatment for All Compression Sites
- Circulation HD: Release nerve compression, relieve adhesions
- Circulation PT: Correct posture, prevent recurrence
Frequently Asked Questions
Unsure Where Your Numbness Is From?
Get accurate diagnosis through muscle response testing.
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