Spinal pain and Arm/Hand Numbness tingling

I'm a 27 year-old mother of two small children and a full-time pre-school teacher (so I lift children quite often).    Several weeks ago I began to notice pain on my spinal column between my shoulder blades, mainly when I lean on something and that spot is pressed, or if one of my children leans on or presses on my back. Occasionally I feel slight pain or a 'pinching' feeling when bending or lifting. I feel a VERY SMALL bump in that spot but my husband cannot see or palpate anything.  

Within the past few days I have been waking up at night with numbness and tingling in both arms.  Position of sleep does not seem to affect the occurence.  This afternoon while playing outdoors with my children (continually bending to help my 2-year-old to ride her tricycle) I suffered a sudden onset of the same symptoms, it subsided within about 40 minutes.    

Is this consistent with a bulging, herniated or slippped disc?  Should I see a physician or wait to see if these symptoms resolve on their own?  I have recently gained some weight as well (10+lbs) could this be a contributing factor?  

Thank you in advance for any input.

[Adam Tanase, D.C.]

It doesn't sound like a disc lesion to me... Probably repetitive postural stress that's causing structural stress/strain within the area. A reputable chiropractor in your area should be able to handle this...

[alicia27lmt]

Hi Jessie,
I had to respond to your message because I have almost the exact same symptoms as you.  I am 42 and mother of 5 boys, 2 step-sons, all boys ages 19,18,17,16, and our newest addition 2 1/2 yrs old.  I also lift him quite a bit, not as much as before, but still often enough.  I have been having this problem for at least a year now, it initially happened when I was reaching to take the baby out of his jumper chair.  I have right arm pain, pain between my shoulder blades, and pain and numbness down both arms that wakes me at night too.  I was just evaluated yesterday by my neurologist and he is ordering an EMG test to rule out what he thinks may be a nerve impingement of my Cervical vertebrae at level 6.  I pesonally have been to Chiropractors and no dis-respect intended to the other post but I don't recommend it.  If you do have a disc problem you could really exacerbate the problem.  I would get an evaluation from a neurologist and see what happens from there.  I am a licensed massage therapist, and also an EMT for 15 years.  Back injuries are no joke.  I am in so much pain right now I am beside myself.  I was also referred to a pain management doctor until they can properly diagnose me and treat me.  Numbness and tingling are absolutely consistent with a nerve injury.  I have also gained about ten pounds.  I don't think it helps, but I don't think ten pounds makes a huge difference in an injury such as this.  I hope that you find some relief and I am here to talk if you ever need to.  I hope that you will see a good neurologist and have an evaluation done.  I am having the EMD in a few weeks and then an MRI also.
Best Wishes
alicia