Can you do yoga with TOS?
 

I have congenital TOS but I didn't find out until recently. I was training to be a yoga instructor when I became incapacitated by pain after a day of doing a particularly large amount of downward dogs. After a lot of tests my doctor found that I have TOS and the yoga exacerbated the problem.

My doctor has told me that I'll never be able to do yoga again. I'm not ready to give up my dream of being an instructor though. Is there anyone out there with congenital TOS that has been able to do yoga? Has anyone been able to do other kinds of fitness like pilates or dance? I'm normally a very active person and the thought of not being able to get back to my fitness regimen is killing me.

A member mentioned in the past that they got injured doing a yoga pose , I don't recall if they said which pose it was..

I would say that it all depends on your symptoms and how bad they are, or if you can skip any poses that are problematic.
Perhaps make your own version of a yoga style workout, one that works for you?

Is your TOS more nerve based or vascular?
What is the cause or factors of your congenital TOS?
extra cervical rib, bony anomalies?

Well right now my symptoms are pretty severe. They've gotten a better since I started taking Gabapentine but I still have to take a great deal of pain killers. I get frequent migraines and have pain going down my neck, left side of my chest, left shoulder, and left arm with occasional numbness in some of the fingers on my left hand. Right now I can't do any kind of exercise that requires me to move my left shoulder but I'm hoping that the situation will improve over time.

My TOS is both nerve based and vascular. The cause is simply being born not having enough space between my clavicle and first rib.

I tried some yoga as part of the PT (one of many) I tried as a remedy for TOS.
In the 6 weeks I did it I was unable to do any of the poses without flaring myself up so I eventually gave up.
The poses where you put your weight on your arms (like downward dog) were especially problematic.

Sorry to be a "downer" but I do not think it is possible unless you make a full recovery. Even then, I just don't know if arms with TOS can handle any type of arm exercise.

Oh , I see, if your sx are that severe now , I would wait and find another activity when things calm down... no use setting yourself up for chronic pain...
Walking may be all you can tolerate for awhile.. some need to have hands supported in pockets for a time too.

It was about 1 yr postop of my 1st tos surgery when I decided to try a Tai Chi class. I figured this would be a start and maybe yoga next time around. Its easy on your jts., its done either sitting in chair or standing w a lot of flowing movements w your arms. It was the 5th class (1xweek class) I got a severe flareup on the surgery side which lasted 2 mos. Was having severe chest pain on this side, ended up in ER. I ended up having to cancel tos surgery that was scheduled for the other side.
I think it was definitely the repetitive overhead arm movements. U have to keep a daily log of your activities and pain/ flareups. It can be time consuming but it is a lifesaver otherwise u can drive yourself crazy trying to figure things out!

Best Wishes

I think I have TOS. I have been doing a rigorous yoga routine for 9 years (haven't been able to do anything for 6 months) and I am starting to think that all of the extreme poses of looking up with arms over head, holding poses, and repetitive sun salutations and chataranga poses might have been what did me in. I might be wrong but it's just a theory. I think I have multiple repetitive overuse injuries and that my whole body now went haywire.

yoga
 

I first injured my scalpula in yoga which started my whole TOS saga. In addition to Repetitve strain. After 4 years I can only do very gentle yoga. I can do Zumba if I dont use my arms too much and walking is good. I would love to go back to the Gym but wouldnt be able to do any arm or shoulder machines. I have done some gentle pilates at one PT office and that might be good if it doesnt flare you. Melt Method wher you roll on a soft roller is really good for the fascia and feels good on the ribs. Downward Dog is BAD!

I can't do down dog right now anyway because my arms can't go over my head, but I have to say that was one of my favorite poses. The stretch just felt so good in my shoulders and calf muscles. I have been trying to figure out just what repetitive positions that did me in and I think its a toss up between downward dog and deadlifts.
If you think about it, its really not a natural way to support body weight repetitively. Oh how I miss working out and being all muscly though:(