" But I do NOT like reading posts that say "don't do X" As you all say...EACH of us is different....Neither of us KNOW the person posting and THEIR particular and unique situation"

[quote=KLS2007;205961]TRUE, BUT I THINK A LOT OF US HAVE BEEN THROUGH SIMILAR ATTEMPTS AT THERAPIES WITH BAD RESULTS FROM THE SAME EXERCISES. WE ALL NEED TO REMEMBER THAT WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT AND ARE AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF THE DISEASE PROCESS AND HAVE DIFFERENT LIMITS. BY THE SAME TOKEN, WE SHOULDN'T JUST RUSH OUT AND TRY EVERYTHING THAT SOMEONE HAS CLAIMED WORKED FOR THEM. WE DEFINITELY DON'T WANT ANYONE HURTING THEMSELVES ANYMORE THAN THEY ALREADY ARE!!!/QUOTE]

I agree we are all different. I've said that in my earlier posts. What works for one, MAY not work for another. It IS individual. I merely relayed MY situation to YOU because it appeared to me IMHO that you had the same, if not similar, situation to mine. If so, you MIGHT benefit from things I did. But again, I qualified my post for you to TRY...if it wasn't appropriate for you...only YOU would be able to determine that. I was ****** because someone chimed in with "don't strengthen" and I thought that comment was totally inappropriate. If my suggestion to you is not appropriate for YOU, by all means don't do it...if it is not worthy of even an effort to try...don't try either. I'd hate to think though of missed opportunities...things I "could have tried" but didn't because of some notion. As I said...YOU are your best healer. YOU live with YOUR body and know its limitations and strengths.


My apologies to KLS....with the above I had you confused with Pianoplayer who did say they suspected pec minor with her. Most, if not all of my comments were IMHO appropriate for her. I have no clue what your (KLS) situation is other than what you described in other posts. You did indicate that you weren't ready for the foam roller. Baby steps for you.

Bottom line:

There is a purpose to the PT taping your back (if that was ever done and with most it was done).
Decompression is the goal of PT and Surgery. It can happen with PT and exercise. It may not as well. No guarantees. The article you (KLS) referred to said surgery should be a LAST resort. Most would agree with that.
If something causes too much pain, it's probably not working/helping. The question is what is too much AND what is appropriate discomfort/pain vs. what is inappropriate discomfort/pain. Some things like stretching a tight muscle involve discomfort/pain that is merely a consequence and not necessarily "bad." Sometimes it may harm a nerve innervated in the muscle and sometimes it will not. Care and attention to what is going on. Listen to the body. Try things, don't try things. It's up to you.

This thread was for piano girl to decide if she should have a second ortho elbow surgery, or have her BP surgery first. She's been left cold.

So the goal of the TOS PT session is to get as much good movement done as possible, without calling up for the inflammatory response.

Many of us here, myself included, have lived in horrific pain for years, and are bedridden much of the time due to the high pain.
It is fine and dandy if someone has TOS and has worked to a point in their PT where they don't need meds and can go off to work.

Please note that I did not say not to strengthen, I said to be very careful with strengthening excercises.
Terribly sorry my opinion ****** you off, I was only trying to give pianoplayer another point oif veiw.

Pianoplayer, have you come to any decisions with regard to how you are going to handle this? Don't forget what Tam said, post for help looking for good airfares etc. if you need it. Good luck. My prayers are with you.

Boy - lots here to read and respond to!

I've been through 4 separate courses of PT. The first was before any surgery was done. It did not relieve my symptoms. The second was after surgery was done. It did not improve my symptoms, except for those caused by surgery. After two months, my symptoms worsened. PT was discontinued and I was sent to pain management. The third time helped slightly, but not enough to continue. I can't even remember why I was sent to the third therapy! But, that one was where I started using the foam roller. (However, I have to be very careful because stretching my arms too far causes symptoms.) The fourth PT was this fall, when my hand started getting numb very frequently and my shoulder hurt more than ever. This PT made everything worse very quickly.

It was at this point that I began considering surgery again. Since that time I have done a ton of research on TOS and pec minor syndrome and have used Sharon Butler's self-care program, as well as making changes in my playing, posture, and scheduling.

For me, the strengthening part of PT caused an increase in symptoms.

Now, I look forward to meeting with Dr. Sanders who will evaluate for TOS and Pec Minor (which he is pretty sure I have) and will also give his opinion on whether the elbow redo is a good idea. Then, I'll decide what to do.

Sue