I did some research. The numbness I’m experiencing sounds like a pinched nerve. I don’t know if the pain is from repetitive use or if it’s related to the pinched nerve.

I’ve been dealing with this unpleasantness for years. It has been intermittent up to this point, but the static in my back is increasing in area as well as frequency. I’m going to try to see my GP about it, and I know what he’s going to tell me. I really don’t want to hear what he’s going to tell me.

I had an issue with my left shoulder a couple months ago. I rested it and took steroids for about a week and a half / two weeks. Despite wanting to do nothing but eat and fight for the first week of that ordeal, I came out the other side in good shape, and I was able to practice as long as I didn’t use that arm. I don’t know if not using that arm for half a month has anything to do with my forgetting I have an off-hand unless I have something in it.

I also don’t know if I have one bad shoulder or two. Do I have a pinched nerve on one side and a propensity for rotator cuff issues on both sides? Do I need to stop fencing for awhile? Do rehab? Have surgery? Get painful shots that will discolor my skin? None of these options sound like a good time, but I know I need to do something now if I want to keep fencing in the long term.