Originally Posted by Coop42 (Post 921277)

What's the point? That was my attitude last week when I woke up at 5:00 AM Friday morning with pain in my neck and shoulders and couldn't sleep. Why even bother? I've been dealing with this crap for more than 30 years. I'm just kidding myself to think I can ever get better. And that may be true. Why do I keep trying?

I think the reason is, because I have made a lot of progress, and I am feeling better than I have in many years. But, it is very discouraging when you think that maybe you can do something, after all this work, and you can't, without a flare up. It's very tempting to throw in the towel, and just say, "I quit". When I started this, I made a vow that would keep going, no matter what. I'm sticking to that, no matter how hard it may be at times.

2 1/2 years seems like a long time, but I guess since I've been dealing with this for more than 30 years, that's not even 10%, so maybe that's not so bad. I have to get my head back in the game and just keep pressing forward.

Originally Posted by chroma (Post 925274)

I have a history of cold hands as well and think it was early TOS.

Are you doing anything to depress your first rib? Like seeing a hands on therapist (pt, chiro, osteo, massage) or doing it yourself?

Life is far from perfect, but learning to shove my first rib down was a breakthrough for me.

Also, if you're exercising, you have to ask if you are doing any exercises that might be flaring you up such as pushups, anterior shoulders, neck, etc.

Originally Posted by Coop42 (Post 926742)

I've added this Ulnar nerve stretch to my mix of exercises and it feels pretty good. I don't hold the stretch though, just go to the tension three or four times. Holding a stretch still doesn't work well for me. I like movement better.

I really wouldn't consider it one of the top three TOS exercises though. That's just his opinion. I'll bet if you asked everyone here what their top three exercises were, they'd all be different. It changes for me all the time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4aXR...eature=related

Originally Posted by Coop42 (Post 925596)

I'm not doing anything to manually push down my first rib because I usually end up hurting myself. I'm not using any foam rollers either. I have the Edgelow kit but I haven't used any of that stuff in a long time. I'm having better luck just doing my mobility exercises free hand, like on the Intu-flow DVD. When I push against something I usually end up flaring myself up.

I'm not doing any strengthening exercises either. All I'm trying to do is get full range of motion in all of my joints. Sometimes I just push the envelope a little too much and cause myself a flare up. It's a very fine line.

Originally Posted by stos2 (Post 927251)

Hi,
Edgelow's kit is beginning to work for me finally after my rib work and soft tissue mobilization as well as active release sessions with Dr.Art Ando of Ando and Aston physical therapy,Anaheim Hills Ca. and the exercises they have shown me. If you ever plan a trip that side, they are truly worth the visit.
Thanks so much for the ulnar nerve stretch link, I will try it out as I have elbow pain issues from time to time.