Hi all,

Hubby saw a neuro-muscular massage therapist today to treat some of the pain he has experienced lately. He will have an MRI this week and also see a chiropractor to see if they can find out any more about what specifically causes his TOS, although I think it is a combination of lots of things (bone / rib structure, muscles, possible trauma, and repetitive strain), and I won't be surprised if they don't see any obvious structural causes.

He has felt much better after seeing the therapist, who did a lot of myo-fascial release in his chest and arms. His connective tissue was VERY VERY tough and sticky, and after she had finished working one side of his chest I could see a very big difference in the way his ribs raised up when he breathed. Already some of his pain has gone, and she has not finished the treatment. He will see her again this week to work between the ribs and on his back. She is familiar with TOS and while she does some trigger-point therapy in areas of major pain, she is focusing right now on getting his tissue released so that it is no longer putting pressure on his shoulders and chest.

I have been trying to convince him to get off the computer some, but I haven't had any success. I know that it's not helping his pain any, but his job is with computers, and it's also how he de-stresses and keeps his mind off the pain. I know the doctors won't tell him to stop typing so much, as he does the computer work for all of the doctors in our town, and they know that his job requires it.

I know many of you have had experience with the massage therapy and trigger-point therapy. Have they all been this positive? He experienced lots of pain during the treatment, but is not feeling any pain right at the moment. I imagine he will be somewhat sore tomorrow though.

I'm still researching all I can about TOS... this is such a recent diagnosis for him and there's not that much to find out there. I've been reading everything you all have to say though, and it's encouraging to see all of his symptoms matching those that I find through this forum. As difficult as it is for him, he's felt so much better knowing that he is not going crazy with all the previously unexplainable pains and numbness.

Mandy