Is It My Neck or Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?
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- Опубликовано: 17 окт 2024
- San Jose chiropractor Dr. William Holdsworth DC from Pain Relief Chiropractic explains what thoracic outlet syndrome is and how it can be the reason for your neck pain.
Neck pain can arise from many different sources with a similar clinical presentation, which can make it a challenge to diagnose. One of those related, and sometimes co-existing conditions, is called thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). Let’s first discuss the anatomy of the neck and the thoracic outlet so we all have a good “picture” in mind of what we’re talking about.
TOS can arise from either blood vessel compression, nerve compression, or both, making the ease of diagnosis difficult. Adding to the challenge, the “pinch” of the structure can occur at more than one place! The nerves and blood vessels can get pinched at the exiting holes in the spine (“neuroforamen”), by tight “scalene” muscles, under the collar bone (clavicle), and/or by a tight pectoralis minor muscle near the arm pit. Hence, the symptoms usually include pain and numbness in the shoulder, arm, and hand (usually affecting the 4th & 5th fingers). It’s the job of your chiropractor to run different tests to figure out where the primary pinch or pinches are located so he or she can treat the right area.
The causes of TOS can be many, with one of the obvious being a fractured collar bone or clavicle. Another is from having an extra rib. As there is not a lot of room for an extra structure, this can be a point of compression for some (but doesn’t create TOS in everyone). An overly tight scalene muscle, scar tissue, an extra large muscle, and so on can also result in pinching of the nerves and/or blood vessels.
Purses, backpacks, carrying golf clubs, a mailbag, and the like can also cause a pinch. A seat belt injury from a car accident is yet another cause, either from the direct trauma, or later when scar tissue forms in the area.
A slouchy, slumped posture where the shoulders roll forwards can cause TOS. Large breasts and obesity also add to the list of risk factors. Women are affected 3x more than men. Certain jobs where reaching overhead or outwards such as food servers, carpenters, and electricians can also increase TOS risk.
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Pain Relief Chiropractic
1607 Meridian Avenue
San Jose, CA 95125
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Disclaimer
This information should not be substituted for medical or chiropractic advice. Any and all health care concerns, decisions, and actions must be done through the advice and counsel of a health care professional who is familiar with your updated medical history.
Thanks for your video. I wish more practitioners recognised the symptoms earlier. I nearly went through a mental breakdown trying to figure out why I was getting these horrible symptoms!
It can be difficult trying to get to the bottom of a diagnosis. Never get discouraged. There is always someone out there experiencing the same symptoms, even for rare conditions. There is also always someone out there who will investigate to the level needed to arrive at the proper diagnosis. I wish you good health!
@@PainReliefChiropractic thankyou I know for sure that there is more awareness and expertise in ntos especially in the USA instead of Australia!!
specially
Before 1:30 minutes you explained that TOS can be happening in one or several places in your neck and upper body ? Is it correct that stretching the hell out of your neck and upper body might be a good start ?
Stretching is a great start but don't go to the point of discomfort. It should feel relieving. If it doesn't, pull back on the intensity or if discomfort persists, don't do that stretch. TOS can be caused by tight muscles and stretching can help but if it's caused by a cervical rib, stretching can only do so much.
Thanks Doc. I had vascular tests that indicated TOS, which usually presents in me as severe numbness/ swelling in right hand often upon waking up. My right leg/foot is also numb /pins/ needles often as well as right hand. Anybody have this w/ TOS?
The leg is not affected with TOS. TOS should only affect the upper extremity. You might have something else that causes the lower extremity issues.
You might have small fiber neuropathy
Or the Bosh compensated due to the pain/ imbalance / injury
I think you got distracted in your explanation of what TOS is and what can cause it, and you forgot to say anything about how to differentiate it from other causes of neck pain. video title is misleading
Thank you for the comment! This video is to educate on what TOS is and the causes of it. Most people know when they have neck pain and are unaware of what TOS is. By educating on TOS, people can understand a more specific cause of neck pain rather than just saying their neck hurts. You're right, not all neck pain is either TOS or nonspecific neck pain, but this video only covers those two types of issues.
Had many of these symptoms, when I had my MRI they found bilateral cervical ribs. Have had many visits to the Chiropractor and starting PT, but was told by my Chiropractor that I may need to have them removed.
That's something that you can discuss with an orthopedic surgeon. If the chiropractic and PT is helping and you are satisfied with the results, then you can avoid surgery. The approach chiropractors take is to encourage the least invasive solution possible before opting for something invasive like surgery
hi dr can you please advise me ,couple of years ago I was going thru a stressful time .all my life when iam stressed my left large muscle at front of neck would get tight ,this point in my life I had a high level of stress so I ended up having a habit of pulling that big muscle constantly and really stretching it for a period of months ,now it seems as if I have a blocked ear and the muscle is very loose compared to the right hand muscle .ive went to numerous specialists and they have no idea ,what have I done
Have you tried going to an ear nose and throat doctor? That would be the best idea
you should search for thoracic outlet syndrome and specially a complication called subclavian steel phenomena