While TOS can be a chronic, sometimes debilitating condition, a variety of treatments are available to help alleviate the symptoms. The important thing is to find a health care provider who understands pain management. Shop around and get multiple consultations, if needed, until you are completely satisfied that the doctor or facility can help you manage your TOS. Here are some questions to ask your physician:

* How many cases of TOS have you treated?
* What are your special qualifications to treat patients with TOS?
* What is your approach to TOS pain and symptom management in terms of medications, injections and complementary therapies?
* What types of medications do you generally prescribe?
* What types of non-medication therapies do you use?
* Where do you refer patients who need additional treatment?
* Is your clinic listed with any professional societies? (You can check this out yourself by visiting the professional groups listed below.)
* Do you have seven-days-a-week, 24-hour coverage if I need help?

Here are some places and people that may be able to help manage TOS pain:

* Comprehensive Pain Center. Such centers provide multi-modality (several different types of treatment), interdisciplinary treatment. Make sure that the center has expertise in treating patients with TOS.
* Thoracic Surgeons. Thoracic surgeons manage TOS but not all have special expertise or interest in treating TOS.
* Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialists. Also called physiatrists, these doctors may be medical doctors (MDs) or osteopaths (DOs).
* Physical Therapists. Some physical therapists have special knowledge and treatment skills for TOS.
* Pain Medicine Physician. Pain medicine has become a medical specialty in recent years. Pain medicine physicians specialize in treating many different pain conditions and are expert in knowing how and when to use the many different treatments available. Depending on background and interest, many treat TOS; however, inquire about their experience and interest in treating TOS and whether they incorporate a variety of therapeutic (multi-modality) approaches.
* Professional Organizations can help you locate a health-care professional or facility that is knowledgeable about TOS treatment and management. Among those that specialize in pain options are:

American Academy of Pain Medicine
4700 West Lake Avenue
Glenview, IL 60025
(847) 375-4731
www.painmed.org

American Chronic Pain Association
Post Office Box 850
Rocklin, CA 95677
916-632-0922
www.theacpa.org

American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians
2831 Lone Oak Road
Paducah, KY 42002
(270) 554-8373
Fax: (270) 554-8987

The Caregiver Directory
www.NationalPainFoundation.org/MyProviders

website -
http://www.nationalpainfoundation.or...ettingHelp.asp