Ugh. I still cringe at the memories of pain and damage caused by weights and those stupid bands !

It doesn't 'solve' the problem, but I get a lot of relief from using a TENS unit......just something else to consider.

Best of luck !

lifting weights/bands is such an oversimplification of what's going on. i actually get quite angry thinking back on it!!

i think they put a tens unit on my shoulder once. i wish i could steal that and the us machine for home use.

i have a quick question about nerve glides. when i did the one where you extend your arm out from your side, then turn your hand and head in same dir.... the back of my neck completely freaked out. swollen etc, then it spread to my arms. i took painkillers so the arm pain went away but i couldn't hold up my head anymore. i had to lie down for the rest of the evening. is that normalish for tos? or more of pinched neck nerve-sounding?

Have you had any MRI and /or xrays recently to rule in/out any possible c spine issues?

That really should be done first unless you are certain that you never hit your head/neck or had any whiplash, no family history of arthritis/osteoporosis etc.

I know that some can't raise their arms much at all due to pain/restrictions, I only get a sharp pinching /catching feeling at times. It's much less often now , was quite often during the worst of my symptoms.
I only had mild swelling at times.

The IF stims are really nice {chiro uses that type}, I got myself a EMS stim {elect muscle stimulator} {cheaper and no rx needed}

wow, i'd like to buy an ems. and i'll remember IF.. ive had is us and then once they put me in a hyperbaric chamber, didnt do anything. it was just funny.

basically i haven't had any x-rays or anything. i hate to say it but i believe this chiro kinda swindled me. i spent a lot of money thinking he'd fix me. ive only been to one other rheumatoid doc. got bloodwork for arthritis. he never mentioned my terrible posture, just said i was experiencing all of this pain bc i was 1)overanalyzing things probably bc i wrote down i was depressed and on celexa and said i was 2)hypermobile. complete jerk.

i havent injured my neck either. but since im on the computer all the time and hypermobile maybe that would have an effect. its weird though i didnt have neck pain during any of this till the nerve glides and chiro adjustments. my head just feels too heavy for my neck..but ive always felt that way.

basically when i raise my arms over my head they dont pinch but just feel really tired. when i put them out to my side its an elbow pinch. when i was in a lot of pain i couldn't bend or straighten my elbows AT ALL. i really shouldve kept a journal on all of this.

in a few months im getting insurance with emory uni. *cross fingers*

do your arms feel heavy and tired when you raise them up?

do your hands turn white if they are up for very long?

here's a link with pics of "positional testing " most good care providers should do at least some of these to help rule in or out TOS.
not a definite but a reason to do more testing.

[EAST Test or "Hands-up" Test
The patient brings their arms up as shown with elbows slightly behind the head. The patient then opens and closes their hands slowly for 3 minutes. A positive test is indicated by pain, heaviness or profound arm weakness or numbness and tingling of the hand. ]
more-
http://www.nismat.org/ptcor/thoracic_outlet


sorry about the chiro- just as with most things {MDs, PTs, car mechanics and any service person..}- there are good ones and poor ones...

yup i love that site, my arms aren't in pain when i do that..just really really tired and my fingers tingle when i stop

I don't know if you have seen my fancy artwork - LOL - free /easy things that might help

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/pi...pictureid=5399

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/pi...pictureid=5400
lay on foam roll or large towels rolled up tightly - pillow if needed for neck comfort - then just relax with arms at a comfortable position


http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/pi...pictureid=5102

LOL, i have an exercise ball actually. that stretch feels amazing, thanks! i picked up a few yoga books today.

today i was sitting in the car (not driving) and for some reason??? my left side started acting up. my elbow felt really pinched and triceps were warm, and my trapezius was swollen but my RIGHT side was completely normal. so frustrating/confusing.

maybe earlier in the day i stretched so maybe i stretched the left side a little too much. if my handwriting werent so awful id be writing this all down.

oh and also after i did those nerve glides my ears are completely clogged. >:(

Hi Penny, I think we do trick our bodies temporarily with massage and most certainly with pain medicine.... I often thought I was "all better" after treatment and tried to do PT and what would happen is I was so goal oriented that I went full tilt on all my exercises during the good times that I exacerbated my tendon and nerve problems further.
One step forward, 5 steps back.

I have been doing acupuncture now at a community clinic (which is more economic than individual session work) and I have seriously improved. My inflammation is down to almost 0% and I have been able to do arm excercises now without consequence :D

Here is my bigger post taling about my experience with acupuncture:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...d.php?t=119303

Hang in there Penny! :hug: