Brachioradial Pruritus: A Neck Problem Rather Than An Arm One

There is a chronic condition of itchy arms called brachioradial pruritus. A new study reported in the October issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology suggests a strong link between the itch and a compressed nerve in the neck which physiotherapists can help relieve.

Dermatologists are just finding out more about brachioradial pruritus. However, it is not a new concept to musculoskeletal rehabilitation specialists like physiotherapists. It combines two concepts that we have discussed before in the past in MCR:

1. Dermatome patterns (see Dermatome Patterns)
2. Referred Pains (see Arm pain or neck pain…Where is the source?)

It is not unreasonable for us to look at or around the problem area for the source of the problem. But when early diagnosis and treatment based on this narrow scope of analysis does not yield results, we have to expand the scope of our search.