Brachial Neuralgia

🌿 Overview

Brachial neuralgia is the arm-and-shoulder equivalent of sciatica. The brachial plexus of nerves exits the lower cervical vertebrae, passes under the clavicle, and continues into the arm. When these nerves are compressed — by poor posture, heavy lifting, cold exposure, or spinal misalignment — tingling, numbness, and pain result, typically in the hands and lower arms. The condition tends to be worst at night (when the body's position changes) and worse after days of heavy lifting.

Common signs

• Pins and needles, numbness, and pain in one or both hands, typically appearing 1–3 hours after falling asleep and awakening the person. Possible wasting in the small hand muscles
• coldness or swelling in the affected hand. Symptoms may spread to lower arm, upper arm, and shoulder. Generally worse after heavy lifting
• few symptoms during ordinary daytime activity.

🔎 Why it happens

Common causes and triggers — spotting yours is often the first step to relief.

• Compression of the lower brachial plexus nerve bundle (between the cervical vertebrae and the arm).
• Contributing factors: overwork of the arms, carrying excessively heavy weights, poor posture, letting the hands and arms get cold at night, or (rarely) an abnormality in the seventh cervical rib.
• An acid condition of the body and heavy systemic mucus burden are also predisposing factors.

✅ What to do

Gentle, practical steps you can take at home — start at the top.

1. Chiropractic spinal adjustments by a competent chiropractor may resolve the root nerve compression.
2. Keep hands and arms warm at night, especially if there is any cool draft on the body.
3. Apply a poulticeMashed plant material applied right on the skin. How to make a poultice → or fomentationA hot, moist cloth pressed on the body — classic hydrotherapy. How to make a fomentation → of mullein and cayenne over the painful area for sharp pains.
4. A liniment of equal parts cayenne and prickly ash tinctureA concentrated herbal extract made with alcohol. How to make a tincture → applied to the area also provides relief.
5. Maintain an ongoing exercise program to strengthen shoulder and arm muscles and improve posture: arm lifts, neck exercises, shoulder shrugs, upper trunk pushups.
6. Improve diet: raw green vegetables and daily vitaminA natural substance your body needs in small amounts to stay healthy, like vitamin C or D. More →/mineralA natural building block your body needs in small amounts, like calcium or magnesium. More → supplementation build the nerves and bones.

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🍽️ Eating to help

Food is one of the gentlest medicines — small, steady changes help most.

A diet similar to that used in treating arthritis is helpful — anti-inflammatory, whole-food plant-based. Raw green vegetables daily. Full vitamin/mineral supplementation especially B-complex and calcium-magnesium for nerve and bone support. Avoid acid-forming foods.

💬 Ask Remy about Brachial Neuralgia