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The main nerve bundle coming out of the neck (the brachial plexus), branches into three nerves that run down the arm and into the hand—the radial, ulnar, and median nerves. The median nerve runs along the inside of the arm and affects the palm side of the thumb, index, middle, and the inside of the ring finger. Commonly referred to as the "funny bone" when aggravated, the ulnar nerve runs along the inside of the elbow and affects the outside of the ring finger and little finger. Trauma to the ulnar nerve (cubital tunnel syndrome) can be mistaken for trauma to the median nerve (carpal tunnel syndrome), due to their proximity and shared symptoms.
All nerves and tissue need the blood to flow smoothly for nourishment. When the blood cannot nourish tissue, fatigue, discomfort, pain, and loss of function can result. Aggravation to the ulnar nerve results in tingling and numbness in the ring and little finger and can be the result of:
For more information on the effects technology issues have on the body, see Tech-Related Tension Neck ERGOMATTERS®
Revised: 04/2017