Thanks KY - i think my anatomy is mostly the same but there would have been scalene hypertrophy and scar tissue in neck, shoulders

If Imay ask long did any exercise induced flare last and hON long before results. Also is there anyway t to address in the scalenes or anywhere else?

My first episode, on the right side, lasted years. Apprx. 2.5 years. I went through the usual frustrating cycle of pain, investigation, misdiagnosis, etc. that comes with TOS. This finally resolved with a lot of the exercises I described before, but what finally kicked it out the door was a botox shot in my scalenes.

My last episode, on the left side, started around christmas 2013 and lasted apprx. two months. Once I realized it was TOS and I focused on pec minor I started seeing improvement within one week's time.

KY

K

Thank you tons for your help Ky! Did the initial pain/discomfort/symptoms with the exercise reduce over time?

And also, the effects of the Botox shot lasted for a long time? That gives good hope!! Would steroids etc into the scalenes work likewise?

Yes, pain diminished over time.

Botox was a mixed bag for me. It worked like a charm on my right side. It seemed as if the Botox helped me finally get over the hump. On the left side, it didn't work at all. This second time around I'm 100% certain the issue was related to pec minor tightness.

KY

KY, thanks, did IFT work for you? I tried a focused IFT sort of device that worked for me but again a month or two at best.

Here is a link I found on manual techniques from Dr Stoxen (a US based chiros blog). He is apparently a big fan of rib mobilization.

http://teamdoctorsblog.com/2013/07/c...ome-treatment/

Here is another link on a detailed workup plan for TOS - way too technical for me. Can anybody point out key elements common for all folks?

http://www.coloradohandtherapy.net/files/43426966.pdf

https://www.healthtap.com/user_questions/700545

Dr. Laurence Badgley answered:
Is surgery effective for thoracic outlet syndrome ?

Maybe
Before surgery, one should do everything they can to reconstitute the muscle and skeletal systems of the shoulder. My clinical findings implicate weakened muscles that hold up the shoulder and keep the collar bone from collapsing toward the first rib; thereby constricting the space between these two bones.
Trapezius muscle strength is of utmost concern, and a good physical therapist can help

Not fun.

https://www.healthtap.com/user_questions/10651

How successful is physical therapy in the treatment of thoracic outlet syndrome?

Dr. Richard Sanders
answered:

50%
Physical_therapy
It depends on how long symptoms have been present. If less than a few months, the success rate is at least 50%. If symptoms have been present over 2 years, the success rate is less than 50%.

I am at the six year mark.