Answer:
Pain and numbness that spans a region encompassing the upper back, to the shoulders,
to the elbows, to the wrists and the hands definitely involves one of the three major
nerves that travel the length of the upper extremities. These nerves are the radial
nerve that terminates in the thumb region; the median nerve that terminates in the
mid-hand region; and the ulnar nerve that terminates in the pinky and ring finger
region. These nerves can be injured at any level from the neck down to the finger
tips.
If you have symptoms that affect both upper extremities, the likely source of the injury is in the neck region. Your symptoms of pain and numbness sound fairly serious and should be addressed very soon with a consultation with a physician. Nerve tissue, like brain tissue, does not tolerate compression and injury well and a delay in treatment may result in residual damage.
Conservative treatment like activity modification (e.g. modification of workstation ergonomics, taking breaks from a desk environment every 15 minutes, etc.), rest, gentle neck exercises, ice, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications may help until you are able to see a physician.
If you have symptoms that affect both upper extremities, the likely source of the injury is in the neck region. Your symptoms of pain and numbness sound fairly serious and should be addressed very soon with a consultation with a physician. Nerve tissue, like brain tissue, does not tolerate compression and injury well and a delay in treatment may result in residual damage.
Conservative treatment like activity modification (e.g. modification of workstation ergonomics, taking breaks from a desk environment every 15 minutes, etc.), rest, gentle neck exercises, ice, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications may help until you are able to see a physician.