Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS)

June 17, 2016 By Jennifer Angeles

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS)

What is Thoracic Outlet Syndrome or TOS? There are nerves and veins (neurovascular bundle) that pass thru the thoracic outlet, which is the space from the collar bone and the first rib. When this neurovascular bundle gets pinched or compressed in the thoracic outlet, you develop thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). This is associated with:

pain, numbness, and tingling to the shoulder and arm
coldness of the fingers
neck pain

Causes of TOS

Any condition that causes the muscle to enlarge in the area and compress the neurovascular bundle can cause TOS. An extra rib, called cervical rib, can pinch on the bundle. In rare cases, tumors can also compress the bundle. Certain occupations can cause TOS such as those who have heavy use of arms against resistance like some construction workers, dentists, musicians that play the violin. Weight gain, obesity, poor posture, and poor sleeping posture are contributing factors.

Treatment

Physical Therapy can help with thoracic outlet syndrome. Certain manual techniques and exercises to improve posture, and improve muscle strength has been beneficial. In severe cases, surgery has been successful in treatment of thoracic outlet syndrome.

Do’s and Don’ts

Postural awareness and exercises
Exercises to the neck, shoulders, and chest
Do not slouch when working on computer; takes rest periods and and stretch to avoid tightening up of muscles
Do not sleep on stomach, or have arms overhead. Try to sleep with arms to the side, and on your back
Reducing weight
Reduce or avoid heavy lifting

Call us at KTS Physical Therapy at (443) 906-6070 if you are have thoracic outlet syndrome. If you have had surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome, we can also help you recover fast with our revolutionary treatment. Our physical therapists can evaluate and plan treatment for you to help you with this problem.

Easing the Pain of Arthritis!

March 13, 2015 By Jennifer Angeles

What Helps The Pain Of Arthritis?

Stretching targets muscle groups and also enhances joint mobility. Stretching your joints can greatly improve your daily routine by reducing the possibility of pain.

Arthritis is a difficult problem to deal with already. When you overdo it, you run the risk of a painful flare-up, and the possibility of your movement being more restricted than it would otherwise be.

To relieve your arthritis pain, consider a hot wax bath for your problem joints.

Suffering From Arthritis For A Long Period Of Time?

The longer you live with arthritis, the more you are going to have to find new ways to accommodate your condition. In order to continue doing as many of the things you love to do as possible, some changes may become necessary. It will make your journey a lot easier if you apply some of the pointers you learned in this article.

Try to remember to keep your pain relievers handy if you suffer from the pain of arthritis flare ups. Many pain relievers like ibuprofen can help relieve symptoms of arthritis flare ups in as little as 15 minutes. Make sure to keep a bottle of your most effective pain reliever close at hand.

Many people have found heat and cold treatments to be very good therapy for arthritis. Try using an old pure cotton sock filled with dry rice as an easy, mess-free method of applying either heat or cold.

You know that this is a chronic condition that becomes more complicated as the disease progresses if you are living with arthritis. It is a challenge to deal with the daily pain, limitations in your range of motion and fatigue that come along with arthritis. The tips in this article can help you to cope.

Vitamins A, C, and E as well as omega fatty acids are great ways to help fight against arthritic pain. It is not recommended that you start taking every vitamin known to man, Instead a good multivitamin or a couple of doctor suggested individual vitamins can do the trick too.

It is a challenge to deal with the daily pain, limitations in your range of motion and fatigue that come along with arthritis. If you suffer from the pain of arthritis flare ups, try to remember to keep your pain relievers handy. Many pain relievers like ibuprofen can help relieve symptoms of arthritis flare ups in as little as 15 minutes. To relieve your arthritis pain, consider a hot wax bath for your problem joints. Because the wax surrounds a joint completely and provides intense, penetrating heat, many arthritis sufferers find wax baths highly effective.

Be Wary Of…

Avoid putting too much pressure on your joints. Even if they are not hurting, you should still avoid lifting heavy things or typing on a keyboard for too long. You will have to make conscious efforts at first to protect your joints but very soon everything will become a habit.

KTS Therapy can help with the pain you are having caused by arthritis. Call us now to speak with a professional on how we can help! (443) 906-6070

By Jennifer Angeles (Updated: 06/14/2020)

What Exactly is Physical Therapy?

Physical therapy is a medical science that specializes in helping a body relieve from pain, heal from injury, perform better in work/play/leisure. Pain relief is achieved with all natural means that involves no side-effects or drugs. Procedures such as the following:Pressure-Point Release In this procedure the therapist or clinical assistant searches for muscles that are actively in spasm or causing pain. They then push on the muscle for 1-2 minutes. Initially it will cause soreness but … More