BRACHIAL PLEXUS
the brachial plexus is a network of nerves that conducts signals to and from the cervical spine and the shoulder, arm, and hand. Brachial plexus injuries are caused by damage to those nerves. The nerves can be damaged by direct trauma or by a force pulling on the nerves. This pulling force can happen when the patient lands after a fall, during operations when the patient is positioned with the brachial plexus under tension and during the delivery process of a newborn child. Lung cancer tumors of the top of the chest cavity can grow into the brachial plexus nerves leading to pain and weakness. Symptoms of brachial plexus injury may include a limp or paralyzed arm; lack of muscle control in the arm, hand, or wrist, arm pain and a lack of feeling or sensation in the arm or hand.
Treatment for thoracic outlet syndrome/brachial plexus injuries can include physical therapy to maintain range of motion of joints and blood flow. Fortunately some acute brachial plexus injuries like those that occur during surgical operations resolve relatively quickly. If the patient presents with significant pain the treatments can include medications to decrease nerve sensation or to dull the sensation of pain in the central nervous system. The patient can have injections of anesthetic agents to dull the pain sensation.
Treatment of neurogenic thoracic outlet syncdrome and brachial plexus injury with acupuncture has been very successful by retraining the dysfunctional nerves with local and extremity needles and pain relief. In one of my patients electrophysiological testing both before and after acupuncture treatment clearly demonstrated that the brachial plexus nerve function unequivocally improved. The pain is relieved sufficiently for a patient to participate in physical therapy which helps to recover function.
Acupuncture has the capability of improving nerve function. This was proven when electrophysiological studies performed on a patient before and after acupuncture treatment showed unequivocal signs of improved brachial plexus function. Other treatments except for the physical therapy simply block pain sensation secondary to the injured brachial plexus nerves. Acupuncture is a stronger treatment than physical therapy. Many patients cannot tolerate upper extremity and neck exercises used to treat thoracic Outlet syndrome and brachial plexus injuries. The exercises involving movement of the arm by the therapist or by the patient using their own muscles can cause significant pain for the patient.
Treatment for thoracic outlet syndrome/brachial plexus injuries can include physical therapy to maintain range of motion of joints and blood flow. Fortunately some acute brachial plexus injuries like those that occur during surgical operations resolve relatively quickly. If the patient presents with significant pain the treatments can include medications to decrease nerve sensation or to dull the sensation of pain in the central nervous system. The patient can have injections of anesthetic agents to dull the pain sensation.
Treatment of neurogenic thoracic outlet syncdrome and brachial plexus injury with acupuncture has been very successful by retraining the dysfunctional nerves with local and extremity needles and pain relief. In one of my patients electrophysiological testing both before and after acupuncture treatment clearly demonstrated that the brachial plexus nerve function unequivocally improved. The pain is relieved sufficiently for a patient to participate in physical therapy which helps to recover function.
Acupuncture has the capability of improving nerve function. This was proven when electrophysiological studies performed on a patient before and after acupuncture treatment showed unequivocal signs of improved brachial plexus function. Other treatments except for the physical therapy simply block pain sensation secondary to the injured brachial plexus nerves. Acupuncture is a stronger treatment than physical therapy. Many patients cannot tolerate upper extremity and neck exercises used to treat thoracic Outlet syndrome and brachial plexus injuries. The exercises involving movement of the arm by the therapist or by the patient using their own muscles can cause significant pain for the patient.
