very tight scalenes
 

could this in and of itself CAUSE tos symptoms? like if i stretch out my scalenes will my numbness/arm pain go away? or am i really oversimplifying this! do you all have tight scalenes? my pt said that mine are ridiculously tight even after 3 massage sessions

I think this is a interesting article, I found it years ago but had lost the link to it.
Four major syndromes have specific characteristics and diagnostic tests

by Elaine Wallace, DO

[TOS Classifications
The syndromes of the Thoracic Outlet are easily subclassified according to the symptoms of the structures compressed – artery, nerve, vein, or lymphatic.

and more
Scalenus Anticus Syndrome
The Scalenus Anticus Syndrome involves a compression on the brachial plexus and/or the subclavian artery as these structures pass through the interscalene triangle. Pressure is usually imposed by muscle hypertrophy.

Usually, it is the posterior portion of the brachial plexus (i.e. the ulnar nerve) that is involved in this syndrome so symptoms of neuropathy most often involve numbness in the fourth and fifth fingers, the lateral side of the hand and possibly the forearm, and decreased sensory appreciation of light touch or pinprick in the 5th digit.]

the whole article-
http://www.osteo-france.net/FREtude%201.htm

(didn't mean to say pt, trp massage man)


interesting!! that would explain my ulnar nerve problems. i need to get someone to do the adson's test on me. has anyone used ethyl chloride spray? or is that like an rx thing

mm i wonder if i should heat my scalenes with like a towel or something

the probleme is why it's tight.

It's because shortening of the scalenus, and scar tissue..

Did the Trp guy find many trps in your scalenes? I 'm supposing he checked the SCM and other surrounding muscles too.

The pressure pointer chart is really helpful for tracking down referred pain from TrPs and it also shows stretches to do after the TrP work.
and the whole site has some good info-
http://www.pressurepointer.com/pain_reference_chart.htm

yeah the first time he checked all of my neck in the front, that was like 2 weeks ago he got rid of the scalenes trps..i'm not sure how many there were? but im assuming theyre gone and it's still TIGHT. the last time i went he said i had like 3 around my shoulder blades. one was enormous. lifting weights gave me those, i'm sure.

does scar tissue go away on its own?

it's still so bizarre to me this could all be coming from my neck. when i hurt myself back in march, my neck wasn't hurting at all.

this morning i woke up again with my pinky and ring finger totally numb again. it went away but i was sleeping on my back. maybe my neck was twisted somehow.

well there's scar tissue and sticky tissues - I don't know if scar tissue will go away, possibly, like if someone does everything right & is very lucky.
a diet focused on maximum nutrition /supplements might be a big help.

detoxing and detoxing type modalities - ultra sound, LLLT, far infrared, IF stim - those all stimulate the cells & help flush out the bad junk.

lots of clear fluids to flush it out too and after massages & trps work - if the PT & Trp guy didn't mention it.


those will all help for sticky tissues too

my PTs & chiro all did pressure/traction position tests on my neck to check/rule in or out for c spine based pain /cause of pain - did any of yours do that ?

that makes more sense why the US helped so much. the trp massage guy told me when to take deep breaths and told me to drink a lot of water.

i'm not sure what tests the chiro did, they just seemd like adjustments..he pulled my neck out, did the table drop a bunch, and a lot of "cracking" because my neck is "too straight"..he told me the big bump on my spine..the next notch goes in too far. im feeling very jaded about chiros now.

side note, ive NEVER been able to lean back with my neck/head, it feels like itll just roll off my body.

if it is scar/sticky tissue maybe that's why it's SLOWLY getting better. i couldn't type at all up until a month ago.

don't know, tos is complex so..