Understanding Left Chest Muscle Pain: Causes and Treatment Options
Left chest muscle pain? Hello Director Chen: I occasionally experience muscle cramps and sometimes sharp pain near the last two ribs below my left chest, close to the heart. I haven't had any collisions or injuries. Could you please advise what might be wrong? Thank you! Kos...
Dr. Chen Xianchang Reply:
There are three main possibilities: 1. It could be intercostal neuralgia, for which analgesics can be taken, and rehabilitation with laser therapy is recommended, along with performing exercises that involve raising both arms upward. 2. It may be a thoracic disc herniation; in th...[Read More] Understanding Left Chest Muscle Pain: Causes and Treatment Options
Cold Hands and Feet: Tips to Alleviate Cramps and Improve Circulation
Cold hands and feet, muscle cramps? Hello Director Chen: My hands and feet are always cold in winter. I exercise for one to two hours every day, but there has been no improvement. Occasionally, my feet cramp at night while I sleep, which is very bothersome. What can I do to impro...
Dr. Chen Xianchang Reply:
1. Perform pumping exercises for the upper and lower limbs, similar to the Eagle Claw technique, by slowly curling the toes or fingers; start from the distal ends and move towards the proximal ends, then gradually release the tension. 2. Soak your hands and feet in warm water (a...[Read More] Cold Hands and Feet: Tips to Alleviate Cramps and Improve Circulation
How to Prevent Nighttime Hand Cramps After Labor-Intensive Work
Hand cramps I have been doing manual labor with my hands for a week, and now I experience cramps in my fingers at night. Initially, it was my little finger, but recently it has been my thumb. Sometimes, I experience cramps twice at night, and after getting up, my fingers feel num...
Dr. Chen Xianchang Reply:
1. Drink a cup of warm milk (over 400cc) before bedtime. 2. Soak in warm water (40 degrees Celsius) for 15 minutes. 3. If there is no improvement, you need to see a rehabilitation specialist for an examination (nerve conduction study and electromyography) and treatment.[Read More] How to Prevent Nighttime Hand Cramps After Labor-Intensive Work
How to Alleviate Foot Cramps Near the Big Toe and Ankle
Foot cramps Hello, Director Chen! Recently, I've been experiencing cramps near the big toe of my left foot, sometimes close to the ankle. This often occurs when I step on the ground, and it usually takes about 500 meters of walking before it gradually feels better. What can ...
Dr. Chen Xianchang Reply:
1. It is possible that there has been a previous sports injury or slight tendon shortening due to aging. 2. Standing on an inclined board can help stretch the hamstrings or perform other joint movements for warm-up. 3. Gradually increase strength training for the ankle and calf m...[Read More] How to Alleviate Foot Cramps Near the Big Toe and Ankle
Understanding Floating Sensation While Walking After Spinal Injury
There is a feeling of sinking while walking? Hello, Director Pan. I recently suffered a spinal injury from a fall, but there are no fractures. I've noticed a sensation of instability while walking, and my erections are not firm. The doctor also observed that the knee and ank...
Dr. Pan Yingda Reply:
Basically, the diagnosis of spinal cord compression primarily relies on symptoms and physical examination. Evoked potentials and imaging studies serve only to confirm our previous hypotheses. The "floating sensation while walking" is a subjective feeling; I am not entir...[Read More] Understanding Floating Sensation While Walking After Spinal Injury
Understanding Intermittent Claudication: Is It Joint Degeneration or Stroke?
Suspected foot stroke? Hello Director Chen! I am experiencing intermittent claudication, where I feel leg pain after walking about 100 to 200 meters and need to rest. Sometimes, my leg cramps suddenly and wakes me up in pain. Although massaging helps slightly, the soreness persis...
Dr. Chen Xianchang Reply:
1. The most common cause is spinal stenosis compressing the sciatic nerve, followed by poor circulation in the legs. The term "leg stroke" refers to vascular occlusion, which is more dangerous but has a lower incidence. 2. Spinal stenosis can be diagnosed using X-rays o...[Read More] Understanding Intermittent Claudication: Is It Joint Degeneration or Stroke?
Understanding Muscle Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and Relief Strategies
Muscle pain Hello, doctor! Occasionally, I experience muscle cramps and pain in my arms and legs, which feels like millions of needles stabbing into the muscles. Sometimes the pain seems to move around erratically. I can see a tangled appearance in my arms and the back of my hand...
Dr. Chen Xianchang Reply:
(1) It may be a case of radiculopathy, which can have various causes, including cervical and lumbar osteophytes and intervertebral disc herniation. Peripheral neuropathy and diabetic neuropathy are also potential causes. (2) You can consult a neurologist or a rehabilitation speci...[Read More] Understanding Muscle Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and Relief Strategies
Understanding and Managing Leg Cramps: Tips for Relief and Prevention
Leg cramps Dear Dr. Chen, I occasionally experience sudden cramps in my calves, sometimes in my right leg and sometimes in my left, while I am awake. I have to manually stretch them out and massage them to relieve the discomfort. Additionally, I sometimes wake up at night due to...
Dr. Chen Xianchang Reply:
(1) There are several possible causes of muscle cramps. If they occur in the same leg, it may be due to sciatic nerve compression. If they alternate between both legs, it could be a result of muscle fatigue or an electrolyte imbalance (such as insufficient sodium or calcium ions)...[Read More] Understanding and Managing Leg Cramps: Tips for Relief and Prevention
Understanding Hand Numbness During Sleep: Causes and Solutions
Numbness in the hands? Hello, Doctor. I apologize for the intrusion, but I would like to ask you: My left hand often wakes me up during sleep due to numbness, and it usually resolves within a few seconds after I wake up. Sometimes, I wake up with my hand completely numb! Occasion...
Dr. Chen Xianchang Reply:
1. It is usually caused by compression of the median nerve at the wrist, known as carpal tunnel syndrome. 2. Generally, avoiding excessive use of the wrist joint can help prevent it. 3. Typically, rehabilitation is attempted first, and surgery is considered only if it is inef...[Read More] Understanding Hand Numbness During Sleep: Causes and Solutions
Managing Chronic Pain After Spine Surgery: Seeking Solutions and Support
Pain near the vertebrae? I underwent surgery for a herniated disc in 1988 at Taipei Medical University Hospital. Since then, I have continued to experience pain and have been undergoing rehabilitation. My doctor has been monitoring my condition, but over the past two weeks, the p...
Dr. Xu Zhenrong Reply:
Hello Mr. Zhang, There are many potential causes for lumbar pain, including the recurrence of intervertebral disc herniation. We cannot determine the exact cause of your pain based on your description. The general approach in physical therapy includes heat therapy, traction, an...[Read More] Managing Chronic Pain After Spine Surgery: Seeking Solutions and Support
Do I Need to See a Doctor for My Heavy, Aching Legs?
Could you please provide the content you would like me to translate? I have been experiencing heaviness and soreness in my legs lately. I'm not sure if that's the right way to describe it, but my legs feel very heavy and sore, and I've also had cramps. Initially, i...
Dr. Zhang Yuzhang Reply:
Dear Dr. Li Guo-Ding of the Tainan Hospital, Department of Surgery, Executive Yuan Health Department: 1. Heavy and sore legs are often caused by overexertion or prolonged standing, and should be minimized. 2. A deficiency in calcium can also lead to similar symptoms. 3. Accordin...[Read More] Do I Need to See a Doctor for My Heavy, Aching Legs?
Managing Leg Cramps and Back Pain for Busy Food Service Workers
Swollen feet and lower back pain are really bothering me; I can't work? Hello Dr. Chang, My occupation involves helping out at a buffet. In the past, I would experience leg fatigue and cramps, but now it has worsened, with pain radiating from my lower back to the soles of ...
Dr. Chang Qiongwen Reply:
Hello: Due to the nature of your work requiring prolonged standing, it is recommended that you wear compression stockings. Wishing you health and happiness. Miaoli Hospital, Rehabilitation Department, Zhang Qiongwen[Read More] Managing Leg Cramps and Back Pain for Busy Food Service Workers
Understanding Foot Pain and Numbness: Possible Causes and Solutions
Please help me... urgent matter? Hello Doctor: My problem is that I don't know what this condition is. After walking for 5 to 10 minutes or standing for 5 to 10 minutes, the soles of my feet become numb and the back of my feet starts to hurt (sometimes I experience cramps). ...
Dr. Chen Xianchang Reply:
1. Walking or standing for ten minutes causes numbness in the soles of the feet and pain in the heels, which may be due to lumbar nerve compression, possibly from foraminal stenosis or intervertebral disc herniation. If the feet feel like they are being pricked with needles when ...[Read More] Understanding Foot Pain and Numbness: Possible Causes and Solutions
Understanding Leg Pain During Pregnancy: Causes and Solutions
Leg pain? Experiencing leg pain and occasional arm discomfort starting from the third month of pregnancy could be attributed to several factors. These may include: 1. **Hormonal Changes**: Increased levels of relaxin and progesterone can lead to changes in muscle and joint stabi...
Dr. Zhang Yuzhang Reply:
Leg pain during pregnancy. As the fetus grows, around the three-month mark, the uterus begins to extend beyond the pelvic cavity into the abdominal cavity. This increases the load on the lower back, leading to compensatory biomechanics in the lower limbs, which may result in leg ...[Read More] Understanding Leg Pain During Pregnancy: Causes and Solutions
Understanding Leg Cramps: Are They Related to Nerve Injury?
Questions related to the nervous system? Doctor, my father often experiences leg cramps. Is there something wrong? Two years ago, he was in a car accident where he was hit by an oncoming vehicle, resulting in nerve injuries to his cervical spine at levels C3, C4, C5, and C6, whic...
Dr. Chen Xianchang Reply:
Foot cramps are usually not related to cervical spine injuries. Possible causes include: 1. Sciatic nerve compression (more common on one side) 2. Calcium deficiency (ionized calcium) 3. Poor circulation in the lower extremities, such as varicose veins.[Read More] Understanding Leg Cramps: Are They Related to Nerve Injury?