[Evans, Marv]

I had this happen about 20 years ago. The onset was immediately after a hard coughing spell. The pain was sudden & intense at the time. It originated along my left trapezius from the base of my neck, down the left top of my shoulder, the outside of my upper arm, through the elbow joint, the outside of my fore arm, and the little finger and the finger next to it. For a time I couldn't push myself up from bed without yelling out, and the two fingers were numb. A doctor said it was a narrowed nerve opening (fossa ?) from the spine. I had traction treatment which did nothing. I went to a chiropractor and asked him if he could help. He told me he definitely could, but it would be at least a three month treatment which I'd have to pay for upfront. At the time that was around $1,400. I'd go in three times a week, he'd crack my spine in about 10 seconds, and I'd be out. At the end of the 3 months on the last cracking session, I told him it was there as bad as ever, and he didn't help at all. His response was, "Sometimes that happens." Needless to say, I never ever considered a chiropractor for anything again. Over the years, it slowly subsided and sort of went away. Didn't seem to cause any damage. What caused pain a lot was extending my left arm to the top of the steering wheel, which I stopped doing. After all that time, I get it back from time to time but not anywhere near as painful as the beginning. I was under the impression, short of surgery, nothing could help it. Hope you find something to give you relief.