Research Corner - Q&A Nerve Impingement by Stephen Holt | Date Released : 28 Aug 2002 0 comments Print Close Question A client of mine experiences an odd feeling in her right arm when she participates in pump classes and also when doing lunges, both holding a bar behind her neck across her shoulders. She said it feels like her arm is expanding. Any ideas? Answer: It's so nice to have a doctor in the house. My wife, a rheumatologist, suggests that the bar may be causing nerve impingement. Check the placement of the bar on her "neck." Actually, it shouldn't be quite on her neck; it should be below C7, the most prominent and easily palpable cervical vertebra. You may also need to check her range of motion in shoulder external rotation. It should be about 90 degrees. Lack of ROM could be a sign of joint dysfunction for which she would need a licensed medical professional. Lack of shoulder external rotation could also cause a postural compensation just to get the bar behind her neck. This could also lead to symptoms in her arms. Back to top About the author: Stephen Holt Stephen is the Technical/Education Director of the Maryland Athletic Club and Wellness Center where he is responsible for all aspects of fitness education for over 60 colleagues. In addition to being one of the most popular fitness advisors on the web, Stephen has appeared in several national publications including Fit, Women's Sports and Fitness, Fitness Management and IDEA Personal Trainer. Holt is a member of the Clinical Advisory Board of both the American Medical Athletic Association and the American Running Association and serves on the Governor's Advisory Council on Physical Fitness in Maryland. He is the Immediate-past State Director of the National Strength & Conditioning Association. Stephen holds multiple certifications from ACSM, NSCA, ACE, the CHEK Institute, AAAI and the American Academy of Health, Fitness and Rehab Professionals. Full Author Details Related content Content from Stephen Holt Nerve Damage in Shoulder Lenny Parracino | Articles Impingement During Squats Lenny Parracino | Articles Breathing Problems with Running Stephen Holt | Articles Sprint vs. Long Distance Running for Weight Loss Stephen Holt | Articles Popliteus Knee Tendonitis Stephen Holt | Articles Anaphylaxis Stephen Holt | Articles Buergers Disease Stephen Holt | Articles Inversion Boots Stephen Holt | Articles Chinese Blood Letting Stephen Holt | Articles Sauna Fitness? Stephen Holt | Articles Macro, Meso- and Microcycles Stephen Holt | Articles Height Predictions Stephen Holt | Articles Double Jointed Client Stephen Holt | Articles Restless Legs Syndrome Stephen Holt | Articles Triple Extension – What is it? Stephen Holt | Articles High vs. Low Static Exercise Stephen Holt | Articles Aerobic Training Adaptation Stephen Holt | Articles Crosstrainer vs. Treadmill Stephen Holt | Articles Heart Rate Monitors and Caloric Expenditure Stephen Holt | Articles Spot Reduction for Thighs Stephen Holt | Articles Weight Loss vs. Fat Loss Stephen Holt | Articles VO2 Max Stephen Holt | Articles Genetics and Heart Disease Stephen Holt | Articles Aerobic vs. Anaerobic Physiology Stephen Holt | Articles Strength vs. Hypertrophy Stephen Holt | Articles Heart - Mitral Valve Prolapse Stephen Holt | Articles Low Blood Pressure and Exercise Stephen Holt | Articles Sleep Apnea Stephen Holt | Articles Heart Rate Targeting Stephen Holt | Articles Bilateral Sacroiliitis Stephen Holt | Articles Numb Arms and Legs when Running Stephen Holt | Articles Nausea During Workouts Stephen Holt | Articles Uneven Leg Length Stephen Holt | Articles Nerve Impingement Stephen Holt | Articles Rhomboid Knots with Exercise Stephen Holt | Articles Blood Pressure and Exercise Stephen Holt | Articles Uneven Shoulders Stephen Holt | Articles Tense Neck During Ab Work Stephen Holt | Articles Biomechanical Look at Triceps Stephen Holt | Articles Get Off Your Rear! Stephen Holt | Articles Please login to leave a comment Comments (0) Back to top