another note- even the TOS specialist that Dr Ahn reccommends made me flare horribly. It is a very tricky proposition

the PT i really like now has a lot of training in osteopathic methods. Also you could look for a PT who is trained in Feldenkrais. THere is of practitioners at:

http://www.feldenkrais.com/classes/f...practitioner1/

Some are also PT's as indicated in their listing.

One who knows feldenkrais shoudl be sensitive to the needs of the average TOSser, i would think.

Deborah from the old Braintalk forum posted this, she was given these by Dr Sanders when she saw him at an appointment

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"The initial treatment of TOS is certain types {or modalities} of physical therapy {PT}. Over the last few years, we have learned that a few modalities of PT are effective, while MANY OTHER modalities are ineffective or can make the symptoms WORSE. The recommendations below are based on the experience of OVER 1000 patients who have received therapy for TOS.
RECOMMENDED MODALITIES:

1.) Neck stretching exercises. Holding each stretch a minimum of 15-20 seconds, using your hands to help hold the head in the stretched position, and NOT trying to stretch through severe pain. If a stretch HURTS, reduce that range of stretch. Do NO MORE than 3 repetitions at one sitting; do this 2-4 times a day or more.

The 2 positions that are useful for TOS are:
1) Neck rotation and
2) Head tilting.

2.) Posture correction. Proper posture for people with TOS includes:
1) Head back,
2) Chin down and,
3) Shoulders relaxed in a neutral position, NOT STRETCHED BACK SO THAT THE SHOULDER BLADES APPROACH EACH OTHER, This position should be maintained as much of the time as possible when standing an sitting.

3.) Abdominal breathing: Practice this lying flat on your back on the floor.

4.) Nerve glides.

5.) Feldenkrais method. This is a total body approach of slow gentle movements of arms and spine with an emphasis on learning what motions bring on symptoms in your body and developing ways to avoid these motions. There is a national registry of Feldenkrais practitioners across the United States and practitioners in your area can be found on the Internet by looking up: www.feldenkrais.com

MODALITIES THAT OFTEN DON'T WORK AND CAN MAKE SYMPTOMS WORSE:
1. Strengthening exercises
2. Theraband use
3. Resistance exercises with machines
4. Neck traction
5. Exercises with weights
6. The concept of "No pain - No Gain"

The above are guidelines that have been effective in TOS patients. They will work for many people, but not everyone. Additional modalities of PT are indicated for other conditions that accompany TOS, such as fibromyalgia, shoulder tendinitis, cervical spine strain, and others.

Therapy must be individualized and it is best carried out with the guidance of a physical therapist plus additional training in the Feldenkrais method, usually with a different therapist.

Much more information about TOS can be found in the book, "Thoracic Outlet Syndrome - A Common Sequela of Neck Injuries", by Dr. Richard Sanders. The book describes the causes, symptoms, methods of diagnosis, treatment, results and complications of treatment, and other aspects of TOS."

Jeanne, your right, we do have the same doctor. I really like Dr. Pertchik. He had given me the name of two PT's and one was the one in Middletown. Unfortunately, I called the Little Silver one first. Dr. Togut gave me injections in my right shoulder and neck yesterday. Much worse today but am trying to be very careful. I had been better for 6 years so I got careless and was doing things I wasn't supposed to. Dr. Togut was not very happy with me.

My husband had rotator-cuff surgery today and is miserable. Trying to keep him comfortable. Luckily my 15 year old son is helping out. Getting him things and keeping him company. My mom took my other three to see a movie. Thank God for mothers.

Recently I read a post where someone had a picture of a sling that goes around your waist instead of over your shoulder. If you know, let me know, I'll probably start a thread. I need one for sleeping. Keep putting my arm over my head. Thanks, Linda.

OH, by the way Jeanne, I live in Tinton Falls.

I like Dr. Pertchik also. I've been seeing him for 6 years. The PT who said I was exercise intolerant was in Little Silver. One exercise that she had me do was lie on my back on a foam roller, extend my arms out and up and stretch a theraband. She asked me how it felt and I told her that my hands were feeling tingly and numb and heavy. She then looked at my hands and said that they were turning colors and that I should stop the exercise (not that I wanted to do it in the first place).

I used to sleep with my arms over my head also. I would use the sashes from bathrobes to tie my arms down. My boyfriend thought I was nuts doing that.

Hope your husband's recovery goes well. My boyfriend may have to have shoulder surgery soon.

We are neighbors. I lived in Tinton Falls until 2004 when we made the big move to Shrewsbury Borough.

Jeanne, it's funny (not really) that you live close by. I bet we had the same therapist (Laurie?). I haven't called back. She had me do the same therapy and it hurt terribly. We own a business in Shrewbury, States Heating and Cooling.

Thanks to everyone for the help. I had been better for 6 years until this relapse. I had forgotten how this felt. I was so thrilled that I had been "cured". Pain free for so long. I even had a baby inbetween all the pain! Never a problem with pregnancy or carrying a baby around for a few years. I never thought a trip to Disney would do this.

Thanks again. Hey Jeanne, e-mail me sometime at LUNITED@aol.com. Maybe we can share some info or meet for coffee!

Linda

the laying on the foam roll should be good enough all by it's self.
Rolled up towels will do fine at home or even just lay on the floor totally relaxing.

place arms out at a comfy angle and use it as relaxing time while your shoulders and pecs release and drop with the help of gravity.

I live in CT and went through the same thing with PT. I was referred to a PT in NYC who has experience with TOS and was recc by occupational med at UCONN. Doc said no one in the area had exp w/TOS.

Private message me and I'll give you her name and number.

I am fairly new to this and don't know how to Private Message. Help?
Linda

Lin- to PM someone, click on their username to the left of a post, and Private message should be one of the options. Alternatively, when you log in, in the very top righthand corner you should see Welcome, LinJane underneath that, you should see a link that says Private Message. Click that, and then you should be home-free!

Thanks, I usually have to ask kids to do anything technological. It's kind of pathetic! Linda