Finally. Almost 6 weeks post op and I'm finally going in for my first PT session. I'll admit, it's not the greatest situation but it's all I can afford/travel to/have at my disposal.
Anyway, my physical therapist is not very familiar with TOS and is not at all familiar with post-surgical TOS patients. Thankfully, I can respect her because she has completely admitted this, has done some research, and has asked me to bring to her any information I have found in regards to treating a TOS patient. If I can't get a super-skilled and informed PT I will take one that will ask for help and work with me any day.
So, anyone have any good websites, information, advice...anything that I can pass along her way?

Maybe jo*mar can give you this very important information.

I would wait till PT had a plan. It don't take much to mess up a good chance at a good result.

Do no harm is the plan for you, for now. Be careful till you know the plan. You are your best advocate.

Take care...

I have to do something soon. It's been almost 6 weeks, 3 weeks without meds and I'm self-medicating with alcohol because my surgeon thinks that I should be 100% recovered now. He didn't even want to write the script for PT. My body feels wrecked and I'm just not functioning. I'm absolutely desperate for something. Preferably a Baclofen script to help me through PT but I'll take what I can get at this point since no one seems to want to give me anything.

Do some forum searches for best PT or good PT.
Explore the useful sticky thread for good sites & info you can take to the PT.
A search link is in my siggy.


But if you are hurting , the first thing they should focus on is pain relief modalities.
Heat, ultrasound,massage,manual trigger point therapy, low level laser, IF stim ( low settings) don't over do anything or delayed pain will occur.

Some basics that should help -
General posture work/alignment awareness.
Gentle stretching - just to a sensation of stretch don't force anything.
No strengthening til sx & pain are very low or none.

Some surgeons just can't accept that while they may have improved the condition for the patient , there is still pain, and unfortunately it sometimes is chronic pain... many of the old timer TOS members have to use a Pain Management dr.

But you are still in the post op stage for the most part.
If surgeon won't follow up with pain care, seeing a pain dr is the next step I guess.

I called the PT who works with the surgeons in Denver and her office sent me an entire packet of exercises which I shared with my PT. She probably in the stickies. She worked with Brantigan, Annest or one of the others.

Good luck.

do they do "manual" pt..myofascial release?

thats super important


i really wish i could go to this lady whos a pt
http://www.handsonhealingpt.com/index.html, she is very good with RSIs but in PA

also this guy, knows he stuff but far away
http://www.uggen.net/mike/writing/conditions/TOS.htm

Yes, she does myofascial release. She tried it on me before surgery with no results.

Postop youve gotta worry about scar tissue

Im on my phone but for strengthening
Slight chin tucks for the longus colli. Are really important
And for shoulder strengthening id google Dr. Evan osar. He gives really good shoulder strengthening cues for serratus anterior and lower traps
If ur tspine is really tight strengthen core and diaphragm

Most people here hate The traditional rotator cuff strengthening exercises. Including me. No ys ts ws. Nothing that remotely looks liks a pushup

But it sounds like you're in way too much pain to do any of those.

Thx Jo*mar for the pointers. You're great.

There's lots of friendly folks here to help you through this. Just ask if you need some help.


Hope your PT is helping.


These things take time. Be patient and don't push it. Have goals, but reasonable goals.