Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) is a diagnosis that I see every so often. It is most often in people that have had trouble for years, have been from doctor to doctor and get minimal answers. Its prevalence is estimated range from 3-80 cases per 1000 population.This diagnosis is usually made based on history and report of symptoms. The presentation of TOS varies greatly from person to person.
It can cause any combination of the following
Numbness or tingling in the arms or fingers
Pain or ache in your shoulders, arms or neck
Increased pain at night
Decreased grip strength/dropping items
Hand or arm swelling
Discoloration in hand or arm
Feeling of coldness in hand
Arm fatigue
Throbbing pain in collarbone
Decrease pulse in arm
Sound like you? So why does it happen?
Lets start from the beginning. The brachial plexus is a group of nerves that comes from your neck and goes down into your arms. Near this group of nerves there are also critical arteries and veins. Your thoracic outlet is a space below your collarbone where these nerves, arteries and veins travel. When these structures become compressed in this area it is called Thoracic outlet syndrome. The nerves that travel through this space go all the way to your finger tips, which is way your can feel numbness all the way down into your hand.
These nerves can become compressed for many reasons, tight muscles, forward posture, shoulder or rib positioning. Our job is to improve the space of the thoracic outlet to allow these nerves to glide.
Try our Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Exercise Guide on our Resource Page. Need more specialized care? Send us a message! Be conscious of your work set up, be aware of your posture throughout the day and be sure you aren't hunched over a computer!
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