NeuroTalk Support Groups - Our TOS Tips - What helps you to be comfortable?

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- - Our TOS Tips - What helps you to be comfortable? (https://www.neurotalk.org/thoracic-outlet-syndrome/43297-tos-tips-helps-comfortable.html)

tips from olecyn:

Quote:

TOS isnt any easy dragon to tame
However, there are many things we can do to relax the muscles pressing on the damaged/compressed nerves and healing.

1. Baby nods for the spinal cord and cervical
2. turning head side to side fluidly before you feel the stretch
3. Arm mobility up and down side to side, slowly, lightly, calmly
4. Invest in the Edgelow Protocol for nerve entrapments. No need for doc perscription. Its a daily ritual 24/7 and does work
5. Belly breathe. Imagine yourself in the cool ocean moving about like a dolphin or mermaid

DO ALL THESE LAYING ON THE FLOOR TO TAKE THE GRAVITY OFF.

Your job in life is now your health. It does become easier to adapt to changes and focusing solely on you. It's taken me 8 years and I fight with my brain daily thinking I can still do everything I used to do. Pick your battles. YOUR ARE NOW #1. Not your hubby, not your kids, not the dirty house, OR laundry. You now become first.

The stress of all your bills piling up and paper work is another extreme stressor. I know!

Again, lay on the floor and visualize the calmness and tackle one item at a time. Make a list of things to do TO CLEAR YOUR STRESSORS. Enlist friends and family to help around the house, the household management organization, helping grocery shop, have them come over and and "clean house". Rid yourself of unwanted items. SPRING CLEAN your mind and life. When someone decides to have a garage sale I betcha there is $$$ to make. People are willing to help. We all just have to remember to ask.
CYNDY

1) I now sleep with two extra pillows - one in between my DH and I, at the top of the bed; if/when I roll onto my left side, I rest my hand on the pillow, rather than stretching it out horizontally. The stretch was problematic for the left ulnar nerve/elbow. The second pillow is one I "hug" at night. It's about the same width as my shoulders...so it keeps the shoulders from rounding in and collapsing on the brachial nerve.

2) Chin tucks. Doing chin tucks when driving helps relieve the strain in the upper traps.

3) I remove all hair ornaments from my hair while driving. I found that elastics/pony tails/hair clips put my head in a "chin forward" angle, which increased the strain.

4) I've added a 6" Tempurpedic foam cushion to my bed. It has *drastically* reduced the problems with compression of the arms/falling aleep feelings I had in my arms at night.

5) I now read on the couch with2-3 pillows piled in my lap to elevate the books.

6) Headset, headset, headset.

7) Ibuprofen when I first start to tighten up. Add muscle relaxants when I flare up - stoicism does NOT help.

8) Warmth. microwave socks, heating pads, jacuzzi soaking, a trip to the local spa with a sauna/jacuzzi/masseuse.

9) Biofeedback. I'm constantly checking myself. Am I gripping the steering wheel too hard? Am I cocking one hip while standing? Am I leaning against a table or wall, putting pressure on the arms/shoulders?

10) Reserve yourself. I now have a yard guy, a house cleaner, and get my car washed and waxed by others. It's not worth compromising my health.

It can help, with a lot of work and self-awareness.

Sandi

Warmth. microwave socks,

I'm curious about how you use the microwave socks. On your hands? It sounds like it would be helpful.

I like the microwave socks idea.... I use a pillow between my arm and body when I'm driving, reading, etc. Heck, I should probably use one at work.

If you are flared, put one of those thermacare wraps on your thoracic out let at the base of your neck before you go to bed and you will feel better in the morning. The wraps are expensive for everyday but I find they help with flares.

This is the one I find works the best:
http://www.thermacare.com/products-a...-shoulders.jsp

Sometimes you can find cheaper brands in dollar stores, discount chains, or drugstores in poorer areas.There is also a japanese product that is similar and cheaper but I have only seen it in stores that specialize in household products for japanese people.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lisa_tos (Post 311336)

Sometimes you can find cheaper brands in dollar stores, discount chains, or drugstores in poorer areas.There is also a japanese product that is similar and cheaper but I have only seen it in stores that specialize in household products for japanese people.

Good call Lisa!! I actually use two different things like this that I find in several different Asian markets: Tiger balm, and SALONPAS (see attatched image of packaging). Both are ben-gay-esque but SALONPAS is a patch to slap on whereas Tiger balm is a cream. They are kinda icy feeling and don't smell too terrible.

I have just found the Salonpas patches you mention Thursday - they are on ebay (isnt everything!).

I've just ordered some as they seem quite reasonably priced to me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by billy027 (Post 308310)

Warmth. microwave socks,

I'm curious about how you use the microwave socks. On your hands? It sounds like it would be helpful.

Hi Billy, the microwave socks is where you fill a large sock with rice and can microwave or chill it in the freezer....there is an article on here somewhere about it - i made one for hot and one for cold and they are good!

Quote:

Originally Posted by thursday (Post 311785)

Actually the one I use is different than these, thermacare is a 12 hour heat pad that is safe to sleep with, it's the 12 hours of continuous heat application that seems to bring down the flare.

I didn't find Salonpas to help but I know other people do.

With Pictures now!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by thursday (Post 260466)

I have the Edgelow Protocol kit and had that type of PT, my threapist made me a "home neck traction" thing-a-majig and I love to use it and listen to a meditation CD I got from the library.

The traction device is simply a longish hand towel, a theraband, tape and rope.

First you get someone to help you loop the hand towel from the base of your neck to the top od your head- almost like a unicorn :P. Tie the towel into place up there then tape around the tie just to make sure its secure.
Next, connect the theraband to the towel loop so you have a chain.
Then, do the same with a rope, connecting it to the theraband.

How it all comes together:
The rope end goes on a door handle. Put your head in the towel end, with it around the base of your neck and the tied end close to your forehead/ hairline (think unicorn haha) then you sit down close to the door and slowly lay down. Scootching away from the door on your back until the chain gets taut and you begin to feel a pull through your neck. \
You can move away as much as you want. Also if your arms are too sensitive to fall to your sides, you can use a belt to loosely bind them in a folded arm, yet relaxed position across your belly. I listen to Jack Kornfield's Meditation for Beginners Disc 1 because it talks about pain a little bit.
The pull for me is such a relief. I feel my neck elongate and the feeling of compression goes away. My PT said its ok to do this for as long as you want too! I swear it is the best active thing I've done for discomfort throughout my TOS/ RSI experience and I recommend it wholeheartedly!

If this sounds like something you'd like to try and my explanation was too hazy, let me know.

Here is what all the loops will look like together and where to put your head.(pretend you are the bunny rabbit and that the traction device is attached to a doorknob.) Please click on the pictures below to see them enlarged!