What Causes Tingling Sensation In Arm?

Posted on Sat, 31 Jan 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 31 Jan 2015 Answered on

Sat, 28 Feb 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I am a nurse working with heavy patients. I started having tingling in my right arm for a few weeks now. I get massages, do stretches, and apply a heating pad. When I am off for days I still experience tingling with a little stiffnes at the top of my shoulder and on my shoulder blade. I just went to the doctor who wrote me a prescription for a cervical MRI. I do have insurance, but I still have to pay $1500 in network for the MRI. Is there something I can try like physical therapy before having to do an MRI. I do not experience pain and my arm is XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (45 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Physical therapy will help.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The tingling in the arm is likely to be due to a mild nerve root compression at the level of cervical spine. Doing a physical therapy will help. If there is no pain then you can avoid MRI scan for now and start with physical therapy. Taking methylcobalamin supplements will also help in reducing these nerve related symptoms.
In case the tingling increases then do get an MRI scan done.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar