I should add that mine didnt come about from a traumatic incident. It set on very slowly and insidiously until I was in a lot of pain and unable to sleep. I whined for 2 years before I actually did anything and I regret that very much. I think if I would have attacked it right away I would be completely fixed by now, or at least close

Great question, one that haunts me as well. Couple of points in response:

1/ I haven't yet managed to do this, but am hoping against hope to be there in 3-6 months.

2/ My belief is that thoracic outlet syndrome (like all other repetitive stress injuries) is a manifestation either of bad posture or some fundamental structural defect (the latter are kind of rare, from what I understand). My goal with treatment is to first calm the pain in the short term so that I am good enough to work regularly (am not there yet) and then focus on fixing the overall body mechanics through regular yoga / physical activity / trainer. My belief is that the second phase is difficult but can be achieved with a year or so of disciplined activity. However, the challenge seems to be to get out of the cycle of short term pain enough to be able to pursue the second stage.

3/*edit* is an example of someone who seems to have achieved some form of the above.

Thanks but wouldn't upward rotation shrugs overstrengthen an already dominant upper traps?

I don't know, but keep something general in mind: TOS is not one thing. There are at least three different places where the relevant nerves can become impinged. As I just learned this week, you can also have problems starting right in the spine. So if your problem is mostly in your neck, you may not benefit from following the treatment plan of someone whose problem was mostly in the pec minor, etc.

Did you have a specific book that showed how to do this safely? Or a PT or some other teacher? Or did you just grab a lacrosse ball and run with it? Thanks!

Im pretty sure all TOS is different. But raising my clavicles resting position actually helped quite a bit in terms of symptom management, it definitely didnt magically solve my problem

I just went with it! I dont think there is too much danger in foam rolling/soft tissue work with a ball, as long as you are careful

Got it. Thanks.

Did you have drooping shoulders/downward pointing clavicles to begin with? Or were you ok with upward pointing clavicles and the upward shrugs helped strengthen your overworked Upper Traps?
Very valuable point you have brought up.

The interesting thing is there is a raging fight going on between all sides on whether trigger points exist, whether stretches work and what not. But all the anecdotal evidence I have seen states it does work.