Hi there

Well as Dabbo said..yu have to find a PT who knows what they are doing! Now trust me...this isn't easy. I'm going on a year now and I'm in sooo much pain. I've been through every Doctor/specialist who all have agreed with the TOS diagnosis plus given me other one's as well. I realize now that I've been dealing with a bunch of quacks who know nothing about TOS! I've been passed around like a football and everyone just takes turns guessing on the course of treatment. I've tried injections, medications, PT, chiro, electric stim unit at home...you name it..I've tried it and made no progress. I found a vascular surgeon and saw him last week. He said TOS is very tricky to treat. It requires Doctor's and a PT who knows about TOS. It's also not something that a PT can really do hands on to make you better. From what I understand...you need a lifestyle change...posture, work, lifting, etc. You have to manage the TOS at home and learn certain exercises. The surgeon told me that sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. In my case..we're not sure. He's sending me to a PT who works directly with him and knows TOS. He said he will know at the first appt if he can help me. if not, I will require surgery to get better. I talked to the PT today. He did say it's a LIFESTYLE CHANGE! Once TOS, always TOS. You have to manage it. Not a whole lot a PT can really do other than guide you in the right direction with excercises and management. I was also told that even BEFORE the surgery...you should still see a PT who can help get you started because after surgery it will require a lot of posture and other exercises. I was also told that if you are in PT and are not better within 3-6 months ...surgery would be next or dealing with the pain. Well I know I can't deal with the pain so I will opt for the surgery if I must. I'm scared to death about it but I can't live like this.

I hope all goes well for you