"A Pain In The Neck" Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

We've all had some sort of discomfort in the neck at some point in out lives, most of the time it goes away on its own, or with some treatment.  But what if it's something more serious?  I have touched base on this topic in one of my previous posts on torticollis but I wanted to outline another serious condition that can often get overlooked.

The thoracic outlet is located in between your clavicle (collar bone) and your first rib.  The main blood vessels and nerves that supply the arm run through this space.  When these tissues become compressed, they can cause some havoc on your body with a condition called Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS).  When the brachial plexus (the nerves that supply the arm) is compressed, it can cause the muscles to weaken/become painful, having altered sensations and losing muscle control of the upper limb.  If the blood vessels are compressed, there could be a tingling/numbing sensation, and the tissues won't be getting the nutrients they need, which can cause tissue damage.

The most common causes of TOS are from trauma and body mechanics.  If the body sustains an injury to the neck or shoulder, inflammation and muscle strain may be present which can put extra pressure on tissues in the thoracic outlet.  With repetitive movements (typing at a computer, lifting overhead), the muscle bellies becomes larger and can fill up this space.  Body mechanics can play a role in it as well - if you have a head forward posture (which is common with office workers), or with additional weight (with pregnancy, resistance training, etc.), that can add extra pressure on the joints and cause symptoms of TOS to appear.  Some people have a genetic predisposition to TOS, as they may be born with an extra rib for example, which can put pressure on these structures.

Now that we've outline what TOS and what some causes are, how can massage help?

In most cases, TOS can be easily treated with massage therapy.  If the cause is from trauma or body mechanics, the extra pressure is coming from the soft tissues.  If there is inflammation, treatment can be geared towards reducing that with cryotherapy and lymphatic drainage.  Muscles that are strained and high toned in the neck and shoulder regions can be addressed by doing some myofascial release and trigger point work to ease the tension and free up space.  Exercise and home care are always an important aspect of the treatment.  Stretching and strengthening exercises should be given so that your muscles stay limber and supportive of the joint to help reduce your symptoms and prevent them from returning.  Being mindful of your body mechanics can play a huge role in this as well!  Getting up and walking around for a few minutes in the office, or moving your body around if you're constantly lift heavy objects can give your body the break it needs to recover.

I hope this article helps you to understand what could be going on if you have any of these symptoms, and what to do if they become worse.

Thank you for taking the time to stop by today and I hope you have a great day!

Reference:

Thoracic outlet syndrome. (2016, August 27). Retrieved May 15, 2019, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/thoracic-outlet-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20353988