I have been doing PT for some time and have been getting progressively better in some areas, while worse in others. It seems my occasional total 4th and 5th finger numbness has given way to more consistent arm wide pins and needles going all the way up to the shoulder. I still have worsening weakness in my left arm when lifting very light objects outstretched, which seems to me like I have weak stabilizing muscles in my upper back? Seems I haven't lost strength when lifting more normal (slightly more heavy objects).

Have been told by PT I have way less guarding in upper back which is good, and have definitely made strides in improving posture and opening up my shoulders. Still having a hard time sleeping, and not letting my shoulders round inward but that's another story.

My question is whether or not pins and needles are good, versus outright numbness in a specific location. I saw this article:

http://www.smilingbackmethod.com/art...b=1&font=serif

Which seems to suggest it's good ?? for RSI, but I have my doubts if it's really just a ploy to sell another eBook. Not sure if I am better or worse trading occasional numbness in a specific location for constant pins and needles.

At what point should I be worried that I am doing permanent nerve damage? Are there are any signs I should be concerned with?

You did have evaluation tests and MRI/xray to rule out any cervical spine issues correct?


My symptoms moved all over the place during the acute injury & PT sessions time frame.
Made it hard for the Dr /PTs to pin down exactly what kind of RSI or injury I had...

As long as it doesn't increase in pain or symptom levels it's should be OK.

Yah, sure did. Had a normal C-Spine MRI. Which I know I should be thankful for. Just hard because in some ways you want it to show 'something.' My neuro is starting to think I am suffering from anxiety and it's hard not to feel dismissed by that. They did a brain MRI too to rule out MS. Which was relieving mentally if nothing else.

I am sure there is an element to anxiety increasing my symptoms, but I know what I have is real.

What is the best way to figure out where the impingement is coming from? Trying to be steadfast in getting more testing to pinpoint exactly what is going on. Should I insist on the Brachial Plexus MRI? Or is that more for people considering surgery.

dear friend,
what if the impingement is too small for anyone's eye's to see? What if the damage has been building up little by little.

I like this book that helped me feel validated. She ended up with myasthenia gravis.

What if I have neuro R TOS, AND RSD AND diabetes and now things have moved and changed to mysathenia. I know when I went to the hospital last summer for 9 days because I couldn't breathe - THAT was myasthenia and NONE of the doctors in the building knew that.

How utterly ridiculous the lack of knowledge most docs have now, or care.

That book is called "My Imaginary illness" Chloe G.K. Atkins

Lastly, does your PT KNOW proper TOS physical therapy? We have some listed up in our doctor list. It is imperative that if you have "my" type of TOS you do not try to work out, you know, do it til it hurts - that could kill me by paralyzing my breathing or digest things.

I am going to put in an old memo I wrote for any new TOSer. I hope it helps.

God bless us all