I have just been diagnosed with T4 syndrome in my upper theratic spine... has anyone else had this??

My simptoms are upper middle back numbness, pins and needles and stinging sensation whenever i sit down in a chair any more than say 5mins or if for example i do the washing up. sometimes i wake up in the middle of the night and my arms and legs are numb with pins and needles... i have had this sharp nerve pain in my back now for one year and have always been told that i had soft tissue or ligament damage around my spine in the theratic zone of my back. but i have been told this week that my problem is actually T4 syndrome of the spine where the two small bones which interlock eachother around each disc have displaced so there is pressure on the nerves in this area. the theratic spine is also responsible for your stomach and things like sweaty hands... i have noticed since i have had my back problem i have had alot of bloating in my stomach.

I have been told that i need acupuncture and then to have the bone clicked back into place.

has anyone else had the same problems as me?

i saw this at the hospital where i work


well more often it happens in the lower back, between L2---S1

and it hurts bad
coz it hurts legs too

its not that serious tho

painful yes but u can help it

T4 syndrome is an older-style diagnosis which has fallen out of fashion here in the UK to some extent, but you can find references to it in older books on manual medicine (Osteopathy, Chiropractic, Physiotherapy). It is not necessarily a different diagnosis from the one you were originally told, since dysfunction of the vertebrae (the Osteopathic 'Lesion' or Chiropractic 'Subluxation') leads to soft tissue (muscle and ligament) damage. The 4th. thoracic vertebra is quite important in spinal mechanics because the spinal canal (the space inside the spine where the spinal nerve cord runs) is very narrow around there and problems with movements of the bones, with their consequent soft tissue tensions, are thought to cause tensions within the canal and slight pressure on the nerve cord. This is felt as muscle stiffness and sensory changes like tingling throughout the upper body, sweaty palms and digestive problems.
You can get it sorted quite easily. In my opinion you don't NEED acupuncture for this; if you have a good, understanding manipulative therapist they should get you comfortable in three or four treatments. Google 'Osteopathy' or 'Chiropractic' to find the on-line registers of practitioners in your area, and don't go to anybody who wants to give you bulk discounts on treatment! You may not believe it now, but you may not need more than a couple of visits. Talk to your doctor and see if they know anyone good and established in the locality. 'Phone clinics before you book an appointment and ask if they know about your problem; a good practitioner will most likely be willing to talk to you in person and tell you about what they do so don't be sucked in by a receptionist or manager telling you how wonderful their people are! MOST IMPORTANTLY go with the person who makes you feel most comfortable on the 'phone, and who gives you confidence in their knowledge and expertise. All the best.