We often hear that someone because of hand numbness, to the hospital diagnosis of cervical spondylosis, so once the hand numbness, it is associated with whether or not suffering from cervical spondylosis. In fact, not, there are many reasons for hand numbness, definitely not only cervical spondylosis only have this symptom, now to introduce you to the common hand numbness disease, hope that once the phenomenon of hand numbness is found, it is recommended to pay sufficient attention to the best hospital to see a specialist, analysis of the specific causes of the onset, clear diagnosis, in order to get timely and accurate treatment.
First, the common symptoms of hand numbness
Some people wake up with numbness in the middle of the night; some people wake up in the morning with stiffness and numbness in the palms of their hands, and after a while, they get better. Some people carry heavy objects for a long time, then hand numbness, palm weakness. Some people hold a bowl, a while numb and weak, can no longer hold. Some people have numbness all day long. Some people have numbness in the whole palm of their hands. Some people have numbness in one or two fingers. Hand numbness is a symptom, if it affects daily life, it is very inconvenient; you need to see a doctor immediately; if it does not affect life, but can not be taken lightly, it is often the precursor of some diseases. Especially brain problems.
Second, what is the cause of numbness in the hands?
Vascular factors: When we sit for a long time or sit in a bad posture, it will cause numbness in the lower limbs, when the hand is placed in the wrong posture will also be numb, a relaxation, like a million ants crawling.) When the blood vessel is compressed, the blood vessel supplies the limb with ischemia, causing numbness, and when the compression is lifted and the blood flows through, it feels like many ants are crawling. When the ulnar artery and radial artery of the upper limb are compressed at a certain place, it will cause numbness in the hand.
Nerve factors: There is axial pulp flow in the nerve, when the nerve is compressed, the axial pulp flow is obstructed, which will also cause numbness in the hand. The radial nerve, ulnar nerve and median nerve are the main nerves in the palm of the hand. These nerves originate from the cervical spinal canal and pass through the joints, ligaments and fibrous canal to reach the end of the palm.
Brain factor: all nerves originate from the brain, when the brain problems. When there is a problem with the brain, such as a stroke, the area governed by the brain will have numbness and weakness.
Systemic factors: some systemic diseases such as:
1, high blood lipids: long-term high blood lipids, easy to cause hardening of the vascular wall, coupled with high blood lipids, blood viscosity, blood flow becomes slower, the cells get less oxygen nutrients, resulting in numbness.
2, diabetic patients: blood sugar to maintain a high level, over time, the human blood vessels, nerves caused great damage, vascular sclerosis, nerve degeneration.
Third, the anatomy of the cervical nerve
Today, we mainly introduce the numbness caused by nerve compression, the cervical nerve has an intervertebral foramen, divided into two branches: the anterior branch: to the lower side, all the way to the forearm, constituting the ulnar nerve, radial nerve, median nerve, etc.. The posterior branch, which goes around the posterior joint of the cervical spine to the posterior, is distributed in the muscles behind the cervical spine, and if the skin is compressed by either the anterior or posterior branch, it will cause hand numbness.
Fourth, the proximal cervical nerve (neck) pressure caused by the hand numbness.
1. posterior branch of the cervical nerve.
(1) compression at the joint capsule: when the cervical spine joint misalignment, sprain, local scar tissue growth, can cause the cervical nerve at the posterior joint capsule compression, resulting in hand numbness.
Characteristics: It is often accompanied by pain and numbness in one to two fingers, with distinct subdivisions. Examples: Local joint misalignment and osteophytes are common on X-ray.
(2) The seventh cervical spinous process is the highest, and all cervical stresses are concentrated in its vicinity when the head is lowered, which can lead to stiffness and loss of elasticity of the fascia in its vicinity when the head is lowered for a long period of time or when there is a local injury. The posterior branch of the cervical nerve that crosses it can be compressed.
Characteristics: In the morning, the palms of both hands or one hand are stiff and numb, and the palm is as thick as a glove.
Patients often feel that the neck is very tight and tired, as if there is a heavy weight pressed, this kind of hand numbness is common in the whole palm numbness.
2. anterior branch of cervical nerve.
The proximal nerve foramina is stuck because of old age and degeneration, narrowing of the intervertebral discs, osteophytes, and compression of the cervical nerve by bone spurs, causing numbness and pain in the palm of the hand, and depending on the cervical osteophytes, the nerve compression is different, and the numbness and pain areas in the hand are also different.
Characteristics: The numbness and pain have a specific distribution area and the osteophytes are visible on X-ray. As shown in the figure, the 5th and 6th intervertebral foramina compress the cervical nerve, and the numbness is in the thumb and index finger. The 6th and 7th intervertebral foramina compress the cervical nerve, numbness in the middle finger. The 7th cervical vertebra, the 1st thoracic vertebra, the intervertebral foramen compressing the cervical nerve, numbness in the ring finger and little finger.
V. Distal cervical nerve compression.
1. median nerve: the median nerve passes through the carpal tunnel, accompanied by nine tendons, when the carpal tunnel lining is inflamed and edematous for various reasons, or when it is compressed by other objects, it will compress the median nerve, causing numbness in its innervated area.
Characteristics: Numbness on the palmar and dorsal side of the middle index finger, radial side of the ring finger, palmar side of the thumb, and atrophy of the greater interphalangeal area for a long time. When carrying heavy objects or holding a bowl for a long time, the numbness increases and weakness, and when pressing the transverse carpal ligament, the numbness increases.
2. ulnar nerve: the elbow canal, which passes through the elbow, and the ulnar canal, which passes through the wrist, are vulnerable to injury.
(1) Elbow canal: sometimes when our elbow touches the table, it will numb to the ring finger and little finger, that position is the elbow canal. The ulnar nerve in the elbow is very vulnerable to long-term posture problems. Trauma can cause compression. Features: discomfort on the ulnar side of the forearm, ulnar side of the back of the palm, little finger, ring finger numbness, discomfort.
(2) ulnar canal: ulnar nerve through the ulnar canal of the wrist, but also due to various reasons caused by compression.
Features: numbness and discomfort in the ulnar side of the back of the palm, little finger and ring finger.
VI. Treatment methods
Modern medicine: traction, hot compresses, muscle relaxants, painkillers, physical therapy, and in severe cases, surgery to remove the bone spur.
Chinese medicine: acupuncture, massage, Chinese medicine, improve local blood circulation, reduce the degree of pressure.
Micro-edged needles: For compression near the elbow canal, ulnar canal, carpal tunnel and the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra, the local pressure is reduced and the nerve is no longer compressed by cutting and poking away with edged needles to achieve cure. For nerve compression by cervical spurs, the ligaments around the posterior cervical joints are loosened by means of bladed needles, and the position of the cervical joints is adjusted by means of manipulation to achieve the goal of no nerve compression. At the same time with Chinese medicine, physical therapy, hot compresses, massage, in order to improve local blood circulation, increase nutrition, early recovery.
Seven, health care methods of the neck
1. pinch neck head movement: the right palm pinch the back of the neck, tilt the head with force, then relax the palm, the head and neck also restored to a neutral position, and then pinch, tilt the head repeatedly 20 times, the left palm is the same. Principle: relax the local muscles, improve blood circulation, pull the posterior cervical joint capsule, move the position of bone spurs and nerves.
2. Head and neck movement in four directions: standing: turn your head to the right, return to the center after reaching the end, and return to the right. Turn to the left, return to the center. – 10 times head up, back to the right, head down, back to the right. – 10 times. Head to the right, back to the right, left, back to the right. – 10 times. Head flattened forward, back to right, jaw retracted back, back to right. – 10 times.
Note: When doing these exercises, keep the shoulders fixed and turn to the apex before returning to square. Elbow canal: first feel the tip of the elbow, then set the tip of the medial elbow protrusion, the midpoint of the line between the two, and flick 30 times with the thumb, once a day. Carpal tunnel: in the middle of the transverse wrist line, between the two tendons, flick 40 times with force, twice a day. If the above two nerves are compressed, massage and plucking should be hard, do not be afraid of pain, in order to be effective, if not satisfactory, you can go to the hospital for surgery or injection, or use a bladed needle for treatment, loosen the compressed fascia, ligament, the effect is also very good.