Notalgia paresthetica AKA the chronic itchy back Symptoms: Notalgia paresthetica is a neuropathy that is described as a chronic mid-back (usually Medial border of the shoulder blade) itchiness, burning, or sense of hypersensitivity or numbness on a small patch of skin. A condition like this can have detrimental effects on daily activities, particularly those who […]
Notalgia paresthetica is a neuropathy that is described as a chronic mid-back (usually Medial border of the shoulder blade) itchiness, burning, or sense of hypersensitivity or numbness on a small patch of skin. A condition like this can have detrimental effects on daily activities, particularly those who engage in workstation work. If undiagnosed; symptoms may last for years.
It is more common in middle age individuals with a slight predilection towards women and rare in children
It is caused by the irritation of spinal nerves from T2-T6 that branch into the cutaneous nerves of the dorsal spinal branches. This can happen through degeneration of surrounding spinal structures.
Treatment usually begins with arriving at this particular diagnosis and mostly ruling out other causes ( such as cervical radiculopathy). The main course of treatment usually involves spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapy to hypertonic or restricted tissue, and an ergonomic assessment of workstations to minimize aggravating postures.
References:
Bertelsman, Tim. 2022. “7 Notalgia Paresthetica Facts Every DC Must Own – Chiroup”. Chiroup https://chiroup.com/blog/7-notalgia-paresthetica-facts-every-dc-must-own
Robbins BA, Rayi A, Ferrer-Bruker SJ. Notalgia Paresthetica. [Updated 2022 Jun 7]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470597/
Notalgia paresthetica is a neuropathy that is described as a chronic mid-back (usually Medial border of the shoulder blade) itchiness, burning, or sense of hypersensitivity or numbness on a small patch of skin. A condition like this can have detrimental effects on daily activities, particularly those who engage in workstation work. If undiagnosed; symptoms may last for years.
It is more common in middle age individuals with a slight predilection towards women and rare in children
It is caused by the irritation of spinal nerves from T2-T6 that branch into the cutaneous nerves of the dorsal spinal branches. This can happen through degeneration of surrounding spinal structures.
Treatment usually begins with arriving at this particular diagnosis and mostly ruling out other causes ( such as cervical radiculopathy). The main course of treatment usually involves spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapy to hypertonic or restricted tissue, and an ergonomic assessment of workstations to minimize aggravating postures.
References:
Bertelsman, Tim. 2022. “7 Notalgia Paresthetica Facts Every DC Must Own – Chiroup”. Chiroup https://chiroup.com/blog/7-notalgia-paresthetica-facts-every-dc-must-own
Robbins BA, Rayi A, Ferrer-Bruker SJ. Notalgia Paresthetica. [Updated 2022 Jun 7]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470597/