Numbness started in arms and leg after Chiropractic treatment

[FeelingChiropracticSymptoms01]

I have not gotten a response after posting, so I am sending message again.

My original complaints were torn Meniscus Tendon in the knee, and muscular strain or possible tear in elbow muscles.  I previously fell and injured my knees, causing my neck and back to be shaken up with no significant symptoms afterwards.  I started limping because of the knee injury, causing my body to be thrown off balance, and putting excessive pressure on the other knee which caused the other knee cap to started to hurting as well.  I started using a cane to help me walk, but that caused me to developed a tennis elbow on the side of use, which hurts me terribly, and eventually pains in my shoulder and neck developed on the same side.  

I sought chiropractor treatment to help relieve the pains in my body and to also help me heal.  However, after adjustment #8, I noticed I started getting numbness and tingling my shoulder down to my fingers on the side where I have the shoulder and elblow pains, slight numbness and tingling in lower back and just above the knees down to my toes of same side, and some tingling sensation on chest on same side. After adjustment #9, I noticed that the numbness and tingling got worst on same side, but also started slightly in hand and leg on the other side.  What does this mean? Are these sensations normal?  

I notice that there is a certain adjustment the chiropractor does to the opposite side of my neck that I don't like, because it is not only uncomfortable but painful.  What should I do about this?  Should I continue the treatment?  I would appreciate an urgent answer, because I don't want to ignore anything and then end up with a broken neck or other nerve injuries.  

Thanks for your help.

[Adam Tanase, D.C.]

First, how did you feel after adjustments #1-7? Were there any improvements that you can recall?

Second, I would suggest you inform the chiropractor of the changes you've described. He may have to shoot new x-rays or re-evaluate his approach.

That being said, if he never took/used x-rays to evaluate the condition of your spine prior to adjusting, and then continues to provide care that causes you pain, then I would consult with another area chiropractor -- preferably someone who uses a contrasting approach.

[FeelingChiropracticSymptoms01]

I realized I did not answer your question properly as to whether I experienced any improvements.

The answer is, yes.  My neck and shoulder stopped hurting me as badly as they previously were, and I had more freedom of movement in my neck, especially on the side with less pain.  Additionally, my posture improved as I could stand more erect.

Everything else I mentioned is what I am now feeling.  The terrible pain in my right arm subsided, and was replaced by numbness and tingling all to way down to my fingers, plus the numbness in the right side of my chest (also with a feeling that something heavy is resting on it) which I am concerned about.    And as I mentioned, there is numbness and tingling in the right buttocks, behind right knees all the way down to my toes, slight numbness in left lower foot and toes, and slight tingling in left arm.  

The manipulation I did not like my chiropractor doing and which I found uncomfortable is described as best below:

My body was pulled almost half way off the bed so it was hanging, then the chiropractor held my neck and pulled it to the side as far as she could.  She did the same with my leg up into the air in a stooping position, where I held my knees close to my chest, and pulled my neck to the side as far as possible.  I reacted by throwing my arms up in the air in attempts to catch my balance and prevent being pulled too far over, which she said could hurt her instead.  Those manipulations were the last done before I felt the numbness begin.

I have since consulted with another chiropractor who did an x-ray and tested for tested for range of motion of my neck and spine.  I am to return to get their evaluation.

Thanks again for your help.

[FeelingChiropracticSymptoms01]

Thanks for responding.

First of all, I was in a great deal of pain in my neck, right shoulder, and right arm before I went to the chiropractor.  Treatment 1 through 7 were spread out over 4 weeks because at first I did not go regularly, and missed the 3rd weed of treatment.  I did not get much relieve after treatment 3, because the shoulder and arm continued to pain very much.  The chiropractor told me to come in more regularly, and it wasn't until treatment 8 and after the chiropractor did an uncomfortable manuveur that I got any relieve from the pain in the arms and shoulders.  However, those pains was replaced by the numbness and tinglings I previously discribed.

No X-rays were taken of my spine prior to chiropractic treatment nor until now.  

In fact, my chiropractor believes that the treatment can heal my knee complaint - which involves 1) oblique undersurface tear of the body and posterior horn of the medial meniscus, and 2) high grade linear fissure in the articular cartilage of the medial patellar facet.  In otherwords, the cartilage and meniscus are torn in my knee.  My Orthopedic doctor says he has to operate to repair the tear, but my chiropractor does not want me to do the operation.  Can chiropractic heal this type of knee injury?  

I have spoken to my chiropractor about the tingling and numbness, but she thinks that I am making progress since the pains have subsided (not gone).  I will take your advice and search for another chiropractor in the Brooklyn, NY area to get another opinion,  I don't want to ignore anything.  Thanks again.