Am I Suffering From Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?
Have you been experiencing pain in the shoulders and neck, along with weakness and coldness in the fingers? If so, you may be suffering from thoracic outlet syndrome. Dr. Bobby Bilitsis at Prestige Health and Wellness highly recommends looking at treatment options before the symptoms worsen.
Thoracic outlet syndrome feels like:
- Pain in the neck, shoulder, and arm
- Numbness or tingling of the hands and fingers
- Muscle weakness
Let’s explore thoracic outlet syndrome, how it’s caused, its symptoms, and the non-surgical treatment options available in Manhattan, NYC.
What is Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?
The thoracic outlet is the area between the collarbone and the first rib. Therefore, if someone has thoracic outlet syndrome, their rib, collarbone, or neck muscles at the top of the outlet are compressing their blood vessels or nerves.
Thoracic outlet syndrome actually refers to a group of disorders and symptoms that overtake the areas of the shoulders and upper extremities. There are variants of this syndrome, but the most prevalent by far is neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome, which has to do with the nervous system. This variant accounts for more than 90% of cases.
The other two variants are venous thoracic outlet syndrome, which affects the veins under the collarbone, and the rarer arterial thoracic outlet syndrome, which stems from compression of the arteries under the collarbone.
Symptoms of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
An individual dealing with TOS may experience more specific symptoms depending on the type of variant.
Symptoms of Neurogenic TOS
- Pain in the neck, shoulder, arm, or hand
- Arm fatigue
- Weakened grip
- Numbness/tingling of the fingers
Symptoms of Venous TOS
- Hand/arm pain and swelling
- Change of color in the hands/fingers
Symptoms of Arterial TOS
- A pulsing lump under the collarbone
- Cold arms, hands, or fingers
- Pain in the hand or arm
- Change of color in the hands/fingers
- Weakened pulse in the affected arm
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Causes and Risk Factors
Some causes of thoracic outlet syndrome include:
- A congenital disability, such as being born with an extra rib
- Midshaft clavicular fracture
- Whiplash injury
- Superior pulmonary sulcus tumors
- Repetitive movements that may injure the structures in the thoracic outlet
In terms of risk factors, it’s said that thoracic outlet syndrome is most common between the ages of 20 and 50, with a higher prevalence in women. Other common risk factors include:
- Poor posture
- Carrying heavy loads over the head
- Weightlifting
- Playing sports, like swimming and baseball
Treatment Options for TOS in Manhattan, NYC
Thoracic outlet syndrome can interfere with nearly every aspect of life, but it doesn’t have to be like this. Prestige Health and Wellness offers non-surgical treatment options, which we’ll explore below.
Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy
Active stretching, targeted muscle therapy, and other physiotherapy techniques can alleviate the symptoms of TOS. In fact, one study found that 25 of 42 patients found relief in their neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome after just six months of physical therapy.
Occupational therapy, an intervention that helps individuals improve their ability to perform activities of daily living, is another beneficial form of treatment for TOS.
Acupuncture
Ongoing research shows that acupuncture may relieve patients with TOS. This is because acupuncture can potentially improve blood circulation, promote muscle relaxation, and alleviate the compressed nerves in the thoracic outlet area.
Massage Therapy
A published study showed the positive effects massage therapy had on a patient’s numbness symptoms stemming from TOS. Connect with one of our Manhattan massage therapists to discuss possible massage techniques that may work for your thoracic outlet syndrome symptoms.
Chiropractic Care
A case study found that chiropractic care improved arrhythmia associated with TOS. Chiropractors perform spinal manipulation to help relieve pain and bring relief to patients.
Get Treatment for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome in Manhattan
If thoracic outlet syndrome is interfering with your daily activities in Manhattan and you’re ready to return to your healthy lifestyle, it’s time to take the next step. Contact the Prestige Health and Wellness team to assess which solutions are best for you.
Book an appointment for TOS treatment in New York City, or if our treatment options seem ideal for you, call our office at 212-393-4673. Our knowledgeable and experienced team is ready to assist you.
We look forward to seeing you at one of our locations in Manhattan NYC: