Popping first rib into place
 

Hi all,
I have neurogenic TOS and bilateral cervical ribs. I have the surgery scheduled with Dr Pearl in Dallas on December 5th. However, I've been going to a physical therapist for pain management. I can't do any exercises ; they just hook me up to a tens, and then massage me. My physical therapist offered to pop my first rib back into place because she said that it is adding to my discomfort level. Has anyone had this done ?

yes this is key, and has helped me tremendously. Dr. Ando does this. However in most cases ( I believe) you need to mobilize all the ribs first before the first rib can come down. It will take several sessions and home exercises, i.e. laying on a foam roller. It is usually not something that can be "popped" back one time and stay there. Has your PT done it before? You can search Ando and Aston Physical Therapy and also Melt roller and my posts and nospams posts to read more about it.

Yes!! It did for me, but I didn't have c ribs...that may or may not help for you.

Depends on how large your c ribs are and if the PT can work the top ribs without irritating the c rib.
A good one should be able to do that.

Rib mobilization was a huge improvement in my case.
I had severe spasms in the neck, upper chest, upper back muscles, my chiro resolved those after 6-8 sessions ( used ultra sound, low level laser, IF stim, and hands on TrP /nucca work plus adjustments as needed and upper cervical (c1/c2) adjustments).

With the spasms gone I still had very limited use of hands/arms until I found a adv PT guy (taught PT also) that tried a rib mob just to check and voila both sides dropped 1/2 inch visibly - the semi choking /tight neck sensations went away instantly and when I drove home (40 min drive) I didn't have to keep changing hands.
I also was able to go out and move some large rocks near my pond. Before the rib mob/drop when doing something intense like that I would be messed up for days after.

Mine did try to pop up again a few times , but chiro was aware after I told him what the PT guy did, so he always checked them , and by then I could feel when they were not right.

That's so true jkl626 all ribs have to be mobilized for the first rib to have space to move down and it happens over a period of time, once is not enough.