Originally Posted by stos2

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to post about my progress, I have made 3 trips to So Cal since Aug 2012 from Northern Cal to see Dr. Art Ando and Dr. James Sposa of Ando and Aston. And I am feeling much better.

I had scar tissue issues on my brachial plexus 10 months after having a scalenectomy 2010, I started my PT with Peter Edgelow and was stuck in a limited part of his core breathing program. Even though even that limited part of his program was the the only thing that brought a little relief along with neurontin/ Gabapentin and regular cardio.
I couldn't sleep for 3 years on my sides at all. I will not list all the can't do's as I had a long list (most of us have the same can't do's). I scheduled my appointments to see a surgeon for first rib removal.

On this forum's advice...

I began my progress here in the Bay area with myofascial release from a local therapist( not a TOS specialist) but she had a functional approach and started to think of how she could bring my functions back one by one. Finally I started sleeping for a little time on my sides and could start doing a little bit of everything that I couldn't do.
I cancelled my appointments to see the surgeon.
I was still struggling with upper chest( pect minor tightness) and scalene pain and elbow pain. My therapist told me " The road to good health is not straight"

Through this forum, I found Ando and Aston in Anaheim hills who also have a functional approach. I am now being able to sleep for longer periods on my sides, as they have been able to do some rib work and mobilising my pect minor area among other things and also taught me to self massage my side of the rib cage with a soft foam roller and self massage the under arm as well as the entire arm with a pinkie ball and my elbow pain is much better as well, not all gone yet, but much better.

I am now able to progress in Peter Edgelow's diaphramatic breathing protocol. I am able to do the full range of the core program and have progressed to some parts of the 3'' roller and exercise ball program.

I am now beginning to see a therapist who is a specialist in PNF now in the Bay area to help me with nerve mobilization and see if this helps to get rid of the elbow pain totally and also help me with bringing some strength back to my left arm and hand that has still some weakness left .

The road to good health is really not straight. Good luck to all of you and thank you for guiding me in the right direction, I can't thank you enough.