The problem of your father's arm going numb is most likely caused by thoracic outlet syndrome. Conservative treatment of thoracic outlet syndrome usually includes local heat and a program which addresses postural re-training, shoulder strengthening, and stretching exercises. Here is a good web site that explains thoracic outlet syndrome and includes specific exercises that can be very helpful to relieve your father's symptoms. http://www.nismat.org/ptcor/thoracic_outlet/
Your father's headaches are due to occipital neuralgia. Occipital neuralgia symptoms include headache, eye pain that begins in the occipital region and extend over the scalp to the eyes, scalp pain, tenderness, paresthesia in the distribution of the second cervical dermatome, loss of normal cervical lordosis, and neurologic signs that are often mild. http://www.backpainguide.com/Chapter_Fig_folders/Ch06_Path_Folder/4Radiculopathy.html
Some causes of occipital neuralgia include inflammation, injury, pressure on the occipital nerves, upper cervical spinal roots, dorsal horns, or root ganglia, and instability of the joint space between the first and second cervical segments which can cause intermittent subluxation or nerve root compression and referred pain to the occiput, neck, and retrobulbar area behind the eyes.
Correct diagnosis of occipital neuralgia requires a CT scan and/or X-ray examination of the cervical spine with lateral views in extreme extension, flexion, and neutral position, and open-mouthed and lateral views of the odontoid in extreme flexion and extension.
Treatment is symptomatic and includes massage, rest, antidepressants, local nerve blocks, and injections of steroids directly into the affected area.
I recommend that your father be examined by a neurologist who is familiar with treating patients who have occipital neuralgia. Before choosing a doctor ask questions about the patients he treats and the success of his treatments.
__________________
Please click the green "ACCEPT" button. A "BONUS" and "POSITIVE FEEDBACK" are appreciated!
