Neck And Arm Pain

Mixed-martial arts: That Harris guy: a real pain in the neck

Sahuarita’s Preston Harris has fought just twice as an amateur, but he’s already a mixed-martial arts junkie.

The sport has worked its way into his blood, captured his heart and, most importantly, taken root in his gut. 

“There’s a feeling in your stomach … once you walk out there, you want to do it again.”

The 19-year-old University of Arizona sophomore forced Shane O’Regan into submission with a standing rear chokehold in the second round of Saturday’s World Fighting Federation bouts at Casino del Sol’s AVA, and improved to 2-0 in his young career. Harris won one of the seven amateur fights on the three-hour-plus card, the fifth in the history of the WFF.

The night’s final five matches — all of them featuring professionals — finished after press time. Sunnyside High School graduate Nate Vorel was slated to fight Josh “The Destroya” Montoya for the 135-pound title, while Eric Regan and Joey “Boom Boom” Rivera  were slated to tussle for the 170-pound crown.

WFF co-founder Thom Ortiz lured Montoya to fight Vorel last weekend, after the latest of Vorel’s planned opponents withdrew due to an injury. The two agreed to fight for the title, even though Vorel had significantly more time — an extra 10 weeks — to prepare. Rivera, a New Jersey transplant who now calls Tucson home, was the most accomplished fighter on Saturday’s card.

But it was Harris who provided the fireworks in the 155-pound weight class. He took two right hooks and a left jab from O’Regan, an Irish-born former boxer, before jumping on his opponent’s back, wrapping his right arm around O’Regan’s neck and squeezing.

“I’ve always wanted to do that,” Harris said with a laugh.

The unexpected rally and submission brought most of the partial AVA crowd to its feet. Harris was mobbed by his friends, coaches and fans after leaving the cage.

Standing in a cramped hallway backstage at AVA, Harris marveled at how far he has come.

Harris played varsity soccer and baseball at Sahuarita High School.

Fighting was more of a hobby; Harris and his friends trained by taking part in weekend scraps at a local park.

“People complained,” he said, “but it was legal.”

Harris discovered mixed-martial arts after enrolling at the UA, training first at Tucson’s 6th Street Gym and then in coach Drew Fickett’s backyard.

“I committed to something,” Harris said, “for once in my life.

neck / arm / fingers tingling & intense pain

Years ago, I injured my neck? arm? while weightlifting. This subsided. Four years later, I was in car accident where I rolled the car & had some head/neck compression while being upside down in the car. I also was still lifting weights so do not know if the injury was from the accident or lifting.
I will also add that I lift maximum, probably too much of my training time. Well, the neck pain & arm/ hand tingling came back worse than ever. It started more in the left side of neck with left arm/hand pain, numbness, weakness to the point that I could not hold anything. My last 3 fingers (little & ring finger mostly) get numb & tingle.

Sometimes my shoulder area feels like an icepick has been inserted, sometimes an excruciating ache - same with neck. It has progressed into my right arm/shoulder. The pain is unimaginable!
What would you suggest for at home help? I have old & new financial difficulties at this point in life so am trying to do whatever I can myself. I am a 37 year old male.
Thanks for your time & any direction,

Rick

Hello Rick,
Without certain tests to confirm it, I cannot be certain, but it sounds like you have a genuine pinched nerve in the neck, between C7/T1. It causes a very nasty ache in the arm, often worse at night. Does placing your hand on your head relieve the pain?
I wish I could tell there is a simple solution, there isn't. It's one of the more difficult condition we treat.
If turning your head to the left, and simultaneiously looking up causes pain in the lower neck or arm, then I wouldn't delay. Get to a chiro.