I'm very glad I had my surgery to remove a left cervical rib- I'm not gonna lie, it's painful as heck! But it was soooo nice to be able to lift a towel or hold my arm up to wash my kids hair or my own, for that matter! My surgery was in 2003-having a few issues now with the left arm but tolerable-except for the cold hand. Mine was compressing on the brachial artery, which I'm now hoping isn't scar tissue building up causing similar problems. But as painful as it was it was so worth it! It was a good 6 weeks before I was able to actually use that arm- and I didn't really have "therapy" as I worked as an Aide in a rehab clinic- but I would use my everyday items for therapy, picking up gallons of water or milk, or detergent, fold large towels, wall walking and I did pretty well, never had to go to therapy. I even make myself pull the back van door down with only the left arm for strenght building. Dr. always said, just continue doing what I was doing, it was working. Good luck! And if Dr. wants to send you home with meds, take them- pain would seem to increase out of the blue as it healed! Take care, Becky rgonz62744@comcast.net