I went to my acupuncturist on Wednesday and he is usually the person I go to who I know that I will feel better afterwards,even if its just for a day or so but he was pressing on my upperback (he does massage sometimes afterwards) and I heard it crack. He said it was my Thoracic spine and i need it adjusted, but it hurt right afterwards and it still hurts. It is a diffterent kind of pain than my TOS pain as it hurts when I move,breathe or cough. Its a sharp pain in my scalpula.it could be my rhomboid but It feels like he cracked a rib!! Ironically my regular TOS pain is gone at the moment. I am going back to see him tomorrow but I told him just to do acupuncture. I am hoping it is just temporary, but it is the same spot that I originally injured in yoga that started this whole mess. I see my doc on Tuesday for more injections so I am going to ask her for an x-ray-Ive never had my ribs or upper back x-rayed, just my neck and the bp mri.

I have read that a cracked rib can mimic TOS symptoms.Anybody have any thoughts?

A cracked rib can present similar symptoms to TOS, and definitely similar to what you are describing, particularly the pain with every breath. I think you're right to request the x-ray.

If it is still bothering is there urgent care nearby?
They usually have x ray machine on site.

Was he pushing quite firmly?
Are you hyper mobile?
You don't have osteoporosis do you?

Just trying to help figure it out..

yes thats a good idea-I might do that. He wasnt pushing that hard. I do have osteopenia which is a precurser to osteoporosis. Not hypermobile, but think that is where my initial injury was. The acupunturist thinks it is a popped vertebre that needs to be popped back in. Wont let him do that but did let him do mor acupuncture today which helps with the pain.

manually fx a rib in this way would be unlikey. but get the xray, if you do have a misalighment, that will show up.

http://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/23439.aspx

This refers to venous TOS but I wonder if it can also contribute to Neurogenic TOS. I have always thought my problems started with a rib problem in my scalpula area. Now I have it again but worse. Its also Interesting that Dr. Thompson says he takes out the WHOLE RIB and is one of the only Dr.s that do that with 2 incisions. I may be asking for an MRI as they cant be seen in x-rays or ct scans.