numb scalp

Hi, all .. hope someone can help.

Today I have a spot on the back of my head (right side) that is numb. I didn't notice it when I was washing my hair in the shower, but after I got out and was brushing my hair I noticed it. The numb spot is about the size of the palm of my hand. I don't have numbness anywhere else.

The only thing out-of-the-ordinary that has happened to me lately is that on Saturday, I was walking the neighbors' golden retriever (we're dog-sitting) and I had the leash in my left hand. The dog saw a cat and suddenly took off at full speed, giving my arm quite a yank. I was fine on Saturday, but on Sunday I woke up with quite a bit of pain in left shoulder and upper back. I basically just rested it and took Aleve and used the heating pad, and it was feeling much better ... so much so that I decided to work out yesterday. I took it very, very easy and did much less and at a slower pace than I usually do, and I felt fine throughout the entire workout. But today, when I woke up, my shoulder and upper back were hurting quite a bit again. I took some Aleve and it's been fine since then -- still hurting a bit if I move just so -- but not badly.

My question is, (and I think this may be a long shot)is there some way that this could be related to my scalp being numb at all ... even though the numbness is on the right side and I hurt my shoulder/back on the left? Could I have slipped a disc or something when the leash pulled me? And, if the two are not related, what could be causing the scalp numbness?

Thank you! I hope this was not too long-winded.
 
it is very possible to have had that 'tug" cause some level of nerve impairment/compromise,probably within the c spine area,just becasue some of the nerves that actually start within the head actually go down into the c spine then loop back up again. the problem is finding just where this particular nerve is being compromised and by what. this could be as simple as a muscle problem,that created whats called a trigger point? when a nerve to a muscle gets irritated or inflammed,it tends to contract or wad up to a tight little ball like glob. do you feel anything along your neck(or base of neck) or at the base of your skull(you kind of have to push into your skin and move it around while pushing into it to find some TPs)? these areas just would be the most likely given where your numbness is. or a disc could have suffered some "pull' which can create alot of other problems along with it too. do you remember feeling your neck snap back at all,like a whip lash type of injury?

using some form of anti inflammatory like advil or aleeve for a few days,along with moist heat or just heat 'may' help to release the nerve. if this is not better in like a week,i would most definitely see your doc and have this evaluated. he can at least take an x ray to just see if your spinal column has normal alignment. if something or even nothing actually shows up on that x ray,then an MRI would be a better scan,just to really 'see' the nerves and the spinal areas that an x ray simply cannot view given its limitations. you could possibly have had an underlying issue there too that just showed itself when you got that sudden jerk. believe me,i have suffered more little 'incidents' from my stupid dogs doing 'something' to me or tripping over the small one too. are you having any pain or numbness in your fingers at all? if you have any worsening symptoms more than what you already have,see your doc much sooner. please keep me posted on how things are going. FB
 
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feelbad,

Thanks for your reply.
I've been taking Aleve 2-3 times a day and that has helped in terms of the upper back/shoulder pain. It hardly hurts at all now so I am just taking it easy. The numb scalp is still there but the area seems to be getting smaller so I am hopeful that as the pain continues to subside, so will the numbness. I don't have any other symptoms aside from the pain in my shoulder and the spot that is numb. I tried but I couldn't really feel any "trigger points" as you described.
I had a ruptured disc at L4/L5 several years ago and numbness in my leg was one of the first symptoms that I noticed. I chose to ignore it until the pain was unbearable. Things seem to be getting better for now but I will definitely give my doc a call next week if I still have problems. Thank you so much for your help!

mo
 
????????,not too sure just what question you are asking there,could you clarify for us?

sounds like any inflammation is starting to clam down some. i would keep an eye on things tho and as you have already mentioned,seek your docs advice here soon if that spot stays numb. its just not 'normal" ya know? 'something' is affecting either a nerve or bloodflow to that area. if that part persists,even if it is smaller than it was,i would seek out an MRI of your head and c spine area just to look for the possible area of compromise. believe me,you just don't have a freaking clue as to what is going on inside any body area til you get that 'inside" looksee. been there myself a few times. i do hope things get better for you. please keep me posted, FB
 
FB, you have been so helpful -- thanks!!!

I am still numb in the same spot -- but both the degree of numb-ness (is that a word? lol) and the size of the spot are decreased. I think I will call my doc in the AM and see what he has to say. Will keep you posted.
 
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