This is the story of Mr. Santi Maleephon, 45, a used-car business owner and fruit orchard operator, whose condition began with unexplained pain in his left arm. He tried massage, acupuncture, cupping therapy, and electrical stimulation for an extended period, but the pain did not improve.

As the symptoms progressed to his right arm and were accompanied by numbness in his fingertips, dizziness, and disrupted sleep, he decided to undergo a thorough medical examination. The results revealed a herniated cervical disc at the C6–C7 level compressing the nerves on both sides.

Years of Work-Related Habits and Repetitive Neck Strain 

Mr. Santi explained that he currently runs a used-car business as well as a fruit orchard. His daily routine involves both working at a computer and performing physically demanding tasks in the orchard. 

He believed that his symptoms may have developed gradually from several long-term habits, including spending extended periods at a computer in the past, which frequently caused neck discomfort. His orchard work also involved pruning trees, looking upward, and maintaining positions that continuously placed strain on his neck. 

At first, he did not think that his neck discomfort or arm pain could indicate a more serious problem. He assumed that it was simply ordinary muscle soreness caused by work and everyday activities.

It Started with Left Arm Pain That Would Not Go Away 

His symptoms became noticeable approximately 7–8 months earlier, beginning with pain in his left arm without any obvious cause. Because the pain was located in his arm, he focused treatment on that area, trying massage, topical medication, acupuncture, cupping therapy, and electrical stimulation. However, none of these approaches relieved his symptoms. 

At one point, repeated massage and excessive use of topical medication caused irritation and a burning sensation on his arm, yet the pain remained unchanged. His experience illustrates that the location where pain is felt may not always be where the underlying problem originates. Although treatment was repeatedly directed at his arm, his symptoms did not improve because the actual cause was related to nerve compression in his neck.

Symptoms Progressed to Right Arm Pain, Fingertip Numbness, and Sleep Disturbance 

Over time, Mr. Santi’s symptoms became more severe. What began as pain in his left arm progressed to radiating pain in his right arm as well. He also developed numbness in his fingertips, dizziness, and occasional blurred vision, increasingly affecting his daily life. 

Another major problem was disrupted sleep. He was unable to sleep soundly and often woke up at around 4 a.m. every day. Despite feeling exhausted, he found it difficult to fall back asleep because the persistent pain and symptoms continued to disturb his rest. 

What he had initially considered a minor case of arm pain eventually became a problem affecting his physical well-being, sleep, and overall quality of life.

A Relative’s Recommendation Led Him to Seek Specialized Care 

The turning point came when a relative who had previously received treatment for spinal nerve compression at S Hospital, specializing in spine and joint care, recommended the hospital to him after experiencing a significant improvement in symptoms. When Mr. Santi arrived at the hospital, he was impressed by the prompt care, efficient appointment process, and clear diagnostic procedures. 

He met with Dr. Chumphon, who carefully explained his MRI findings and helped him clearly understand the condition. The examination showed a herniated cervical disc at the C6–C7 level with bilateral nerve compression, which explained his arm pain, fingertip numbness, and persistent symptoms that had not improved with previous treatments.

A Clear Explanation from His Doctor Helped Ease His Fear 

Before undergoing treatment, Mr. Santi was concerned about having surgery on his neck, as many people perceive cervical spine surgery as a major and frightening procedure. However, after Dr. Chumphon clearly explained his condition, showed him the imaging findings, and discussed the treatment approach in a straightforward manner, his concerns gradually eased. 

Mr. Santi said that the doctor’s explanation helped make something that had initially seemed frightening feel far more manageable. It gave him confidence and encouraged him to proceed with surgery to address the underlying problem directly. 

He had previously imagined that neck surgery would involve a major procedure, a large incision, and significant discomfort. Instead, he found that modern surgical techniques could allow for a smaller incision, less postoperative pain, and a faster recovery than he had expected. Following surgery, he experienced immediate relief from his nerve pain. Describing how he felt afterward, Mr. Santi said it was “like getting a new life.” 

Based on his own experience, Mr. Santi encourages anyone experiencing unexplained arm or leg pain, numbness, or persistent discomfort not to ignore these symptoms. For him, the treatment was about more than relieving pain. It was about discovering the true cause of the problem and returning to daily life without being constantly disrupted by nerve pain.