Emergence 361

Definition of Brachial Neuritis: Inflammation of nerves in the arm causing muscle weakness and pain.

Definition of Cervical Radiculopathy: A dysfunction of a nerve root of the cervical spine resulting from a disk herniation or an acute injury causing foraminal impringement of an existing nerve.

Definition of Pinched Nerve: A term for pain or impaired function of a nerve that is under pressure. It happens to nerves that control muscle movements or relay sensations to the brain.

The following sites are research literature references which will assist in my quest to better understand and develop a wholistic healing plan for a pinched nerve, cervical radiculopathy, and brachial neuritis.

brachial neuritis healthmap click here

brachial neuritis

pinched nerve

cervical radiculopathy

According to the authors, Miller, Pruitt, & McDonald., Acute Brachial Plexus Neuritis.( November,2000) & Gerald A Malanga., Cervical Radiculopathy.(April, 2005,the differentiation of Acute Brachial Plexus Neuritis from Cervical Radiculopathy may be problematic in some patients but can be distinguished by conducting a careful patient history and performing a neurologic examination separating the single nerve root finding in Cervical Radiculopathy from the "multliple nerve" findings of a brachial plexus lesion.

The authors further describe causes of cervical radiculopathy and pinched nerves are disk herniation, impingement of an existing nerve, buldging discs, or degenerative disc disease. Other causes include compression of a nerve at the elbow or wrist, a prolonged cramped posture, job injury, or a tumor.

Additionally, the authors report when a nerve gets pinched, the flow of tiny electrical charges begin to loose a healthy ability to transmit up and down the bundled nerve fibers that leave the spinal cord, eventually cease working, or die causing the skin to feel numbness or the ability to contract.

Suggested Medical Treatment

physical therapy,rehabilitation programs, non steriodal, anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin, acetaminophen, use of ice/heat,medications,non operative treatment to reduce pain and inflammation, manual traction, cervical collar, cervical pillow, cervical epidural steroids, selective nerve blocks, and acupunture.

Implications for this Author's Scientific Journey

Internet use has proven extremely useful in my quest to create a new set of observations in the storytelling of symptons characteristic of a pinched nerve, cervical radiculopathy, and brachial plexus neuritis.

The sites and articles provided succinct similarities and differences of a multi-sympton nerve condition existent in my health life.

Further, the internet research provided clear definition, explanation, and information regarding a topic of interest and multiple treatment plans to assist in resolution of my health issue.

The ability to research the aforementioned conditions has enabled me to make informed decisions. My physician and I will collabortively develop a wholistic plan for healing brachial neuritis, cervical radiculopathy, and a pinched nerve.