NeuroTalk Support Groups - Unsure where to turn to

NeuroTalk Support Groups (https://www.neurotalk.org/)

- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (https://www.neurotalk.org/thoracic-outlet-syndrome/)

- - Unsure where to turn to (https://www.neurotalk.org/thoracic-outlet-syndrome/215599-unsure.html)

Lots of good info given already...
I was "middle aged" when I started to have multiple work related /repetitive motion injuries. (neck, shoulder, arms, hands, elbows..)
I had to navigate through the work comp system & delays... and stop working to see any real healing . It took about 2.5 yrs for me to get back to 85% of normal.
I figure 1 yr of that was wasted due to the wc & delays and PT early on while I was still working..that just did not work..

So usually a younger person with really good care team and focus on a ton of self care - this isn't something only a PT or CD or MD can do for you , you have to do a lot of the work on your own.. *As long as there isn't something surgical that need attention..*

As mentioned earlier explore all the sticky threads. Great info there. :D

Passive posture work & awareness & easy stretches, just to the point of resistance not beyond it.
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/album.php?albumid=422

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jo*mar (Post 1121874)

Ah okay, I had tried the foam roller stretch before but perhaps if I stick with it it'll show some results. Thank you :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackb55 (Post 1121864)

Really? I was trying to be conscious of my posture by pushing my shoulders back/down and chest out, but I figured it was bad because it gave me a pinching sensation in my clavicle/scalene area. Should I fight this and see if it relieves any symptoms?

It hurts I know....sorry Jack but the better your posture the less pain you will have in the long run. The muscles are fighting you right now when you stand properly. They will give up soon though if you are consistent. Its a matter of the muscles needing to be retrained and strengthened.

I began to slouch because it lessened the pain. Your body wants a position that doesn't hurt. But the slouching will cause more problems.

It hurts because the muscles have been in the wrong position for a while and were accustomed to that wrong posture. The pinching will serve as a reminder to keep straight. I promise it wont last forever. It took me a while before they finally gave in and now they fuss if I slouch. My Pt was kind enough to tape my trap as a reminder. I used the uncomfortable pinching as a reminder to not slouch.

Also the way you sleep has a big impact. Never on your stomach! Try not to lie on the bad side...like I could anyhow. On your back with support under your elbow/shoulder is ideal. That way there is no drag on your arm. The mere weight of your arm will pull things in your neck and make it hurt/worse.
Its no fun this TOS, but the more you know the less fear there is.

Good luck, we are here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobby78 (Post 1121860)

I have found this to be exactly true over the past few weeks. Thanks for the reassurance.

Good to hear it. Keep up the good posture. I see that you lie on your back with a towel under your spine....excellent. do your breathing exercises when you are down there. Also if you get brave turn thumbs up while there and then barely lift off ground...an inch or so and hold for a couple deep full breaths.

Also try childs pose in yoga. Breathing exercises are important. Pretend you are blowing bubbles. Or really get a bottle and blow bubbles. These may seem mambee bambee but they work on the area that is messed up. Shoulder shrugs and rolls are excellent to strengthen and correct your posture.

You were spot in when you said no aggressive stretches. That only makes it worse. Never go into the pain. This is not the injury to be all macho. You can touch the pain my PT says but don't go into. TOS is NOT a no pain no gain injury. You will pay dearly for pushing it.

Wow Bobby, Ultra marathons...I am impressed. I was never that hard core. I ran 2m every morning but now a briskly paced walk jars my arm too much. Folding laundry kicks my but these days. You must be so frustrated. I am sorry you have to go through this crud.

Good luck!

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackb55 (Post 1121864)

I tried doing this for about a year along with the rhomboid workouts, doorframe stretches etc. Things only got progressively worse.
Pushing shoulders back gives me numbness in fingers on both hands.

We each have such individual versions of this - we can suggest things and you'll have to try them to see what works best for you..

But some good basic tips -
don't force anything , stop before pain is increased, be aware of delayed pain,

** and if you start to feel better - don't go out and overdo activities... that will set you back...** been there done that...

did any of the providers try (or check for) top rib mobilisations?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jo*mar (Post 1121977)

You know, I heard about one but I haven't been trying any. Is there a specific mobilization you use that helps?

I had an advanced PT guy (taught PT also) do a rib mob on me the first time ( was a major fix for me at that time ribs had got lifted and stuck up, stayed up after the spasms were resolved), then another PT at the place I was having PT sessions at ( had to tell him about it) then my chiro did the rest of them as needed..when it happened to pop up again a few times..

I never did it for myself.. but I learned to tell when it was getting ready to pop up and could stop the activity before it got bad...

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackb55 (Post 1121830)

Hi,

My name is Jack. I am 19 years old and I suffer from two conditions: bilateral femoroacetabular impingement and thoracic outlet syndrome. I have suffered from these conditions for a bout 2 years now. I used to be a martial artist, martial arts teacher, and competitive athlete. I transformed my life at 16 years old; I lost 30 pounds and fell in love with exercise. I will admit, after the first year of exercise I became overactive and weightlifted way too much. For the longest time, I thought I just overexerted myself and needed to rest up. I was horribly wrong.

It all started with a regular day in the gym. I was weight training, and I was doing shrugs with a relatively light weight for me (35lbs). Towards the end of the set, I shrugged up and felt a pinch right in the trap/neck area (almost where the two meet). I put the weights down and went home. Over the next two weeks, I had frozen neck. I could not move it side to side, up, down... anything. With more weeks of rest, I attempted to train again. I picked up the weights and attempted to do a dumbbell bench press. The pain in my neck was too much and I went home completely crushed.

Over more weeks of rest I was able to come back in and train, but only in certain ways. For one, I could not shoulder press. I felt the pain go from my neck into my shoulder. By this time it was a bilateral problem. I could not do regular pullups, or regular bench press. My grip always had to be neutral (palms facing toward my body). I was getting weaker and weaker, trying to hold on to whatever physicality I had left. I visited an orthopedic: overexercise, instructions to rest. I visited a chiropractor: adjustments did zero. I was hopeless.

One day, after trying all the stretches, all the foam rolling, anything I could find or think of, I stumbled upon a simple yoga stretch by Jill Miller on YouTube (scalene and platisma stretch). Oh my God. I did this one stretch and felt heat pour from my neck. Instantly my neck pain was gone, my rhomboid/shoulderblade pain was gone, nerve pain gone, everything. I was OVERJOYED. I worked out that day and all my strength was back. I could even do regular bench press. Then, I decided to try incline bench press. After a few reps, lo and behold the pinch came back. Same symptoms, same misery. I have done this same stretch again and again trying to replicate it. No luck.

I've seen a neurologist, three physical therapists, MRIs done, X rays done, blood tests done, EMGs done.... no answers. I am dealing with pain, weakness, and dysfunction that people my age would never imagine. I have symptoms of ulnar, radial, and median nerve entrapment. Even raising my arm slightly reproduces my symptoms. My body has begun succumbing to this condition and I now have a small SLAP tear in my shoulder. I am scared that more injuries will come along, and I will be doomed to watch my friends enjoy their life as I sit on the sidelines. I am currently seeing a cardiothoracic surgeon and his accompanying neurologist to get tests redone, as well as an angiogram done. What if I need surgery? I am both desperate for relief and scared ******** of something going more wrong than it already is.

NeuroTalk, have any of you had similar symptoms/causes? What were your outcomes? Advice for treatment? Stretches?

I am sorry that some of this information is extraneous... I try to keep this away from my family, especially my extended family. They cannot see the condition and therefore it is either all in my head or I am really okay and faking it for attention. Regardless, any help/wisdom would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Jack

You absolutely need to message me, our lives sound so identical it is ridiculous, I lost 40 pounds at age 17 by going hard with weight training and now developed symptoms at 18 and still have them now at 20 years old. My family thinks im insane and the only person who will listen is my GF of 4 years. I too have a SLAP tear and labral cysts. Seriously send me a message so we can share some info.

Where are y'all located? I have PT and doc references here in So Cal.