Forward Head Posture

There are three main differential diagnoses for arm tingling in patients with forward head posture. ① Cervical radiculopathy — Cases where the nerve root is compressed by a disc or narrowed sac, causing tingling to descend along a specific finger line. ② Swigyeong Outlet Syndrome — This occurs when the scalene and subscapularis muscles stiffen due to forward head posture or rounded neck, compressing the nerve and tunnel bundles passing beneath them; it is characterized by worsening numbness when lifting the arm. ③ Referred Pain from Myofascial Pain Syndrome — This happens when trigger points in the trapezius and subscapularis muscles cause spurting pain in the arm. In occupations involving repetitive tasks, it is common for two or more points to trigger, and peripheral causes such as carpal tunnel syndrome are also investigated. From a Korean medicine perspective, arm numbness is an extension of a condition where blocked Qi and blood in the neck region cannot flow to the meridians leading to the arm. Those who stand for long periods performing repetitive tasks often experience severe numbness due to the invasion of cold Qi and dampness into Qi-Qi and blood stasis; furthermore, around the age of 47, the liver and kidneys become deficient, further reducing the ability to nourish the muscles and blood vessels. Treatment varies based on the differential diagnosis. For areas suspected of nerve root compression, pharmacopuncture is used to reduce inflammation. Hardened adhesions in the scalene and small suction muscles are identified via ultrasound and dissected with needles to open the passageways for the nerves and nerves. Simultaneously, herbal medicine tailored to the patient's constitution is used to dissolve blood stasis and replenish vital energy, ensuring circulation reaches the extremities of the arms; this allows for the simultaneous management of shoulder stiffness and numbness. However, if muscle weakness is progressive, a precise examination is prioritized.