How much PT?
 

How many PT sessions would a person realistically have to go to before seeing any improvement?

Again.... depends on the person and especially on the physical therapist. IF you have a PT that doesn't know what you're dealing with or doesn't listen to you, they could wind up hurting you. If you have a good, knowledgeable PT, then they may be able to help you. I know mine did for a while.

Hi there

Well as Dabbo said..yu have to find a PT who knows what they are doing! Now trust me...this isn't easy. I'm going on a year now and I'm in sooo much pain. I've been through every Doctor/specialist who all have agreed with the TOS diagnosis plus given me other one's as well. I realize now that I've been dealing with a bunch of quacks who know nothing about TOS! I've been passed around like a football and everyone just takes turns guessing on the course of treatment. I've tried injections, medications, PT, chiro, electric stim unit at home...you name it..I've tried it and made no progress. I found a vascular surgeon and saw him last week. He said TOS is very tricky to treat. It requires Doctor's and a PT who knows about TOS. It's also not something that a PT can really do hands on to make you better. From what I understand...you need a lifestyle change...posture, work, lifting, etc. You have to manage the TOS at home and learn certain exercises. The surgeon told me that sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. In my case..we're not sure. He's sending me to a PT who works directly with him and knows TOS. He said he will know at the first appt if he can help me. if not, I will require surgery to get better. I talked to the PT today. He did say it's a LIFESTYLE CHANGE! Once TOS, always TOS. You have to manage it. Not a whole lot a PT can really do other than guide you in the right direction with excercises and management. I was also told that even BEFORE the surgery...you should still see a PT who can help get you started because after surgery it will require a lot of posture and other exercises. I was also told that if you are in PT and are not better within 3-6 months ...surgery would be next or dealing with the pain. Well I know I can't deal with the pain so I will opt for the surgery if I must. I'm scared to death about it but I can't live like this.

I hope all goes well for you

I did nearly a year of physio before I had surgery...I personally did not notice much of a change at all. I have now done about 6 months of physio post op.

I agree that it is much of a lifestyle change...remembering to maintain proper posture, learning and relearning to do all tasks in a manner that causes the least amount of strain, learning to pace your self and recognizing your body's reaction to pain and how to deal with it.

For me, post-op the combination has been PT, MT and chiro. I have gone through MANY of each of these professionals and have finally found the right combination of people and techniques.'

Hope this helps!

i have been in pt for a year now, and had surgery about 5 and 8 months in. I am starting to have glimpses of what a good day used to feel like, i mean, i guess i can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but like others have said, once TOS always TOS, just find the best way to manage your symptoms.

As for surgery- a walk in the park compared to dealing with TOS day to day.

but again, useless w/o pt to follow up and correct the bad habits.

If you can find a PT experienced of certified in Feldenkrais or a similar technique, they will probably be a good choice. TOS is about whole body awareness, and using it in a way so as not to hurt yourself.

Even with excellent PT's, it has taken me months and surgery to get where i am. Been out of work since May, hoping to go back early next year, we'll see what happens i guess.

good luck to you
Johanna

Thanks for your answers, it makes me feel better to know that I'm not crazy! The doctor sends me for 2 weeks of PT 3 times a week and then acts like he's surprised that I really can't see any difference after 11 sessions. In my opinion, I thought that was pretty ridiculous, especially since 2 of the therapists weren't on the same page as my original one and had me doing things that irritated it more. He sent me to a different therapist yesterday and I'm not too optimistic about it, I hurt a lot more than when I went in there.

I had 2 sessions of PT while my injury was still classified as RSI.
The second session did find more upper body involvement but w/c wouldn't approve tx for the additional sx. Dr didn't know/understand about TOS only did a basic arm pulse test on one arm.
I was just starting to read & learn about TOS at the time, so i wasn't much help with suggestions.

After I learned more and understood it better, I found a very good chiropractor that does PT type and soft tissue tx as well as adjustments when needed.
After a few months of chiro tx, I was still having some arm use limitations so I found an advanced PT guy{a university PT teacher} for a secondary evaluation and he found out that my top ribs had raised up and stuck that way {had severe scalene/scm spasms previously} - he was able to drop my top ribs back into place in one treatment.
Plus he gave me some other basic things to do at home, similar to Sharon Butlers TOS program suggestions.
It was amazing, the improvement and relief!
Both have been major helps to how I feel and maintain.

The PT sessions were in 03/04 and DC since mid 04 and the final PT guy in early 05.
I still go to chiro each month or so and the rest is stuff I do as home care.