Hi everybody ,

I really would like to know what kind of results you have achieved with Sharon Butler's selfcare program.

Who of you was totally cured (which according to S.B. statements is possible)?

Who experienced at least some relief?

Whose condition was worse afterwards?

It would be really nice if many of the TOS-people could answer this.

Thanks to you all.

I started doing the Sharon Butler program about 16 months ago and I've improved quite a bit. It's a slow process and it caused me a lot of pain and inflammation in the beginning but it's been worth it. I've also added a lot of joint mobility exercises lately. I have a post about that.

I guess I should mention that I've had TOS for more than 30 years now. I had a scalenectomy 20 years ago that made me worse. However, after that many years, I am improving with the Sharon Butler program and the joint mobility exercises. I'm not sure how much improvement is possible after this long, but I plan to keep exercising and find out.

Thanks for your answer.

Do you think it is usual that the pain gets more in the beginning? I just do experience the same and am worried if this is normal.

Yes, I think the pain probably does get worse for most people in the beginning. It's because you're stretching tight, injured tissues, that aren't used to it, so they get inflamed afterwords. I think that scares a lot of people away from this stuff. I know I was that way for many years. I thought if it caused me more pain I shouldn't do it, but over the years my body had gotten so tight, I started to realize I needed to start moving, whether it was painful or not.

Coop42, did you try trigger points at any time, either from a pro or self-administered?

I'm not implying a recommendation here as I have not tried them yet. Just wondering if you attempted that course.

Also, did/do you have vascular problems with your TOS? If so, how much did they improve with stretching?

Chroma, I really haven't done that much trigger point stuff. I have done some self-massage on the more fibrous areas, like my forearms and calves. That seems to be helpful at times, to kind of loosen up tight areas. My thoracic area is very sensitive, so I really don't like to mess with it manually.

I do have some vascular symptoms with my TOS like swollen hands at times. I do think this has gotten a little bit better. However, if I have a flare, or even in hot weather, I still get some swelling.

i have ehlers danlos syndrome so her program would not work for me, im already hypermobile

Btw it occurs to me that this kind of question ("Were you cured of TOS by doing X?"), which I'm definitely interested in, may be difficult to answer through these forums. I say this because people who get full resolution of their TOS--whatever the means--are probably not hanging out on this discussion forum.

But it's still early. Let's see if we collect some interesting answers in this thread over the next few weeks.

You can do a forum search for older threads mentioning Sharon's program too.

I do think she has a very good program and her sticky fascia theory fit for me.

I used her stretches/program during breaks & lunch when I was still working and I did feel much better for it.
But my job was just too demanding even with modifications & PT, my injury progressed till I was taken off work.

But off work I had even more time to focus on the program and get in the needed resting time, so I did get a good recovery.
In fact so good I was helping dh do cement work, shoveling , carrying rock, sand in 5 gal buckets and screening to level the cement... that was 1 job too much.
got locked up with severe spasms that night, but didn't know what it was, hadn't been on any forums or read much about TOS yet. 2004

oops- getting off track LOL..

I do recommend her program - and on her website she does give a money back guarantee & she often will email back and answer questions.

I wouldn't say I am 100%, but no meds needed other than a OTC once in awhile. still see chiro once a month for maintenance.
Can do most farm, garden, home chores, hobbies & projects.

I did have trigger points - treated most myself w/ tennis ball & chiro tx'd the ones in SCM & scalenes

those severe spasms pulled up on my collar bone & top rib - they stayed stuck up like that even after the spasms were resolved- until an advanced PT thought to try to drop them down - that was heaven - many of the limiting & lingering sx went away


My TOS was work related assembly line RSI induced with added factors -
concussion/horse fall as a teenager = c1 c2 misaligned w/ possibly c spine and T spine locations
hit face on steering wheel @ age 20
lots of backyard sports & dumb stunts as a kid

Just out of curiosity what did the advanced PT do to drop the rib and collarbone back down ?