My husband was just diagnosed with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, and even though the Dr done a lot of explaining we still want more information. What can you do to help the symptoms? The Dr suggested trying to strengthen up his neck and shoulder muscles if he could get them any stronger, he is 6' 4" 280 lbs. and played semipro football until a shoulder injury, that led to surgery. He is 98% muscle as it is. Is there anything else that he can do?
Does this cause chest pain? He has been having a little for a while now and he is healthy.
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You,
Jenn

HI! I was also diagnosed with TOS three years ago by a neurologist. I was given a course of physiotherapy, an exercise program and medication to relax the deep muscles. Has your husband had a thoraxic X-ray done? I had one done as my neurologist said that sometimes an extra rib can cause TOS, however, I did not have one so mine was diagnosed as being of unrecognisable cause. I find it somewhat strange that your husband was told to strengthen his neck, as I was also told that sometimes having VERY strong neck and chest muscles can actually bring about TOS or at least make the symptoms worse and that is why stretching the muscles, not trying to make them stronger is the goal. The neurologist who told me this is specialised in sports physiatry as well so I guess he knew what he was talking about... I went through the course of physiotherapy by a registered physiotherapist nurse and did every single stretching exercise ordered and it did help. I was also very fit even when this was diagnosed so I am pretty sure my muscles were not in need of any extra strengthening either... :) Posture problems apparently also have an impact, if you have a sort of to the front curved upper back it shortens the chest muscles and if you have a so called ' straight board back' in which the top of your spine is not curved but extremely straight instead ( giving you a naturally very solderly posture) it can cause problems in the upper back that can radiate to the thoraxic area.

As TOS can cause obstruction in blood flow to arms and hands as well as the brain, it is important that it is treated. If the cause to your husbands TOS is not the extra rib or vascular reasons, try the stretching and sports massage to the upper back or ask you doctor about the muscle relaxing medication if needed. Also I was told that any kind of stress makes it worse so any other relaxation techniques might help as well..though I myself admit that life being as frantic as it is I did not do that well on this aspect. :rolleyes:

Hope you all the best and hope I could be of assistance. My TOS is mostly gone now but I still get flares every now and then but not too bad any more, nothing that can not be handled with stretching and massage.

Hi again! The chest question...yes, it can cause quite bad chest pains as well. Apparently the muscles in the chest constrict and it feels like somebody is squeezing hard on your heart..not very nice, I had that as well. This should ease up as the other symptoms ease as well, but if it doesnt or it gets much worse with shooting pains, do go see a cardiologist. :angel:

could you tell me more about this condition can hyperventilation cause it
if i get stressed my torso muscles go so tight i feel like my chest will explode
i have really tight sore shoulders and neck muscles that constantly cause me grief does thoratic outlet syndrome show up on an exray and what is it?

any information would be appreciated

could you tell me more about this condition can hyperventilation cause it
if i get stressed my torso muscles go so tight i feel like my chest will explode
i have really tight sore shoulders and neck muscles that constantly cause me grief does thoratic outlet syndrome show up on an xray and what is it?

any information would be appreciated

HI! I was also diagnosed with TOS three years ago by a neurologist. I was given a course of physiotherapy, an exercise program and medication to relax the deep muscles. Has your husband had a thoraxic X-ray done? I had one done as my neurologist said that sometimes an extra rib can cause TOS, however, I did not have one so mine was diagnosed as being of unrecognisable cause. I find it somewhat strange that your husband was told to strengthen his neck, as I was also told that sometimes having VERY strong neck and chest muscles can actually bring about TOS or at least make the symptoms worse and that is why stretching the muscles, not trying to make them stronger is the goal. The neurologist who told me this is specialised in sports physiatry as well so I guess he knew what he was talking about... I went through the course of physiotherapy by a registered physiotherapist nurse and did every single stretching exercise ordered and it did help. I was also very fit even when this was diagnosed so I am pretty sure my muscles were not in need of any extra strengthening either... :) Posture problems apparently also have an impact, if you have a sort of to the front curved upper back it shortens the chest muscles and if you have a so called ' straight board back' in which the top of your spine is not curved but extremely straight instead ( giving you a naturally very solderly posture) it can cause problems in the upper back that can radiate to the thoraxic area.

As TOS can cause obstruction in blood flow to arms and hands as well as the brain, it is important that it is treated. If the cause to your husbands TOS is not the extra rib or vascular reasons, try the stretching and sports massage to the upper back or ask you doctor about the muscle relaxing medication if needed. Also I was told that any kind of stress makes it worse so any other relaxation techniques might help as well..though I myself admit that life being as frantic as it is I did not do that well on this aspect. :rolleyes:

Hope you all the best and hope I could be of assistance. My TOS is mostly gone now but I still get flares every now and then but not too bad any more, nothing that can not be handled with stretching and massage.
Hi, all this is the same as i've been through in the past 2 years, Physio put me in the hospital....not a pleasent time. Now i'm unable to work, and fighting with worker's comp. over who should pay. All the while told by top Sergen in Canada that blood flow is very restricted now and dangerious, i'm on new meds that help me a little but need this Sergery....it's the only option now nothing else is working. I'm on a 1 to 2 year waiting list in Halifax Nova Scotia Canada at the Que 2 hospital, and a waiting list at Vancover British Columbia, the only 2 qualified doctors in Canada...having a hard time waiting....Please let me know if you find out anything......thanks

have any of you heard of elevations in blood pressure in chronic TOS due to the compression of the vagal nerve. incase you are not pruvy to the vagal nerve situation - it is a cranial nerve that passes through the medial scalenes and anterior scalenes (which are major components of TOS) on its way to innervating the diaphragm, heart, GI, and other anatomical structure. it plays a major role in heart rate and BP. well i have had severe TOS for the last couple of years and about a year ago my BP has gotten pretty high at times, just curious.
-Thanks ahead of time