Hello Mukunda:
A female student, between 55-65 years of age, has begun complaining of a tingling sensation in her arms and hands. Last night she could not do the neck strenghtening pose (on back, arms framing head, lifting head and turning). She did not do the pose because it caused her discomfort (good for her). But she feels it in warrior, shoulder opener, or any pose with her arms at shoulder height, whether supported or not. She has been practicing with me since January and has now discovered this issure. I suggested that she see her physican, and that in practice she not rise her arms, or hold them raised to the point of discomfort. Can you please advise?
Thank you.
Kat
Are you seeking feedback only from Mukunda?
I am having a similar tingling in my arms and hands. What are the best asanas for dealing with this?
The upper extremities are innervated through the cervical spine area.
So when there is tingling or numbness in the upper extremities a nerve obstruction is possible. This could be an impingement or a pinch (actually both).
I don’t much like working these things out over the Internet.
That having been said, if one fancies chiropractic this might be a good time to seek an adjustment.
In terms of returning to health, if there is inflammation then there are certain things to do in order to reduce swelling. Additionally some gentle traction of the neck, when properly applied, can create enough space for the body to get in and do some healing.
Posture of course is very important so that one is not exacerbating the issue. Avoiding hunching over one’s computer or one’s guitar might be helpful for a bit. Savasana with a small rolled blanket under the neck could also help move one toward a healtheir cervical spine.
Beyond this and proper diet, I think it’s best to work directly with a health care provider rather than an internet forum.
Hello InnerAth:
I appreciate your reply, and would like to add that I had my student not hold poses where the arms were at shoulder level or above, to also move gently in and out of downdog, and these minor adjustments seem to have alleviated her tingling. Also, the restorative pose supported backbend was practiced a few times (hence, your suggestion of a rolled blanket under the neck). Again, thank you for your active roll here on Yoga Forums.
KKatsos -
When there is numbness, caution is advised. The motions given should relieve this and tone the range of motion (ROM) so that any diminished ROM is restored to normal (see my book Structural Yoga Therapy for angles of normal ROM). I would suggest since the lying toning is a problem that the student instead do all the joint freeing series (ROM) but extra slowly for all shoulder and neck motions. Ideal would be to feel each motion in the specific muscles specified in chapter 16 of my book.
namaste mukunda