Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

November 26, 2015

Lately I’ve had a lot of clients come in with tight neck and shoulders with the added symptom of having numbness or tingling in their hands and fingers. Though there may be other reasons for these symptoms, such as trigger point referral or circulation, it might be a case of thoracic outlet syndrome.

There’s a braid of nerves (called the brachial plexus) that exits out the side of your neck and can get pinched by one of three muscles, thereby giving that pins and needles feeling in your hands or fingers. Those three muscles are the scalenes (side of your neck), pectoralis minor (shoulder to chest area) and coracobrachialis (upper arm). An RMT, physio or chiro can perform a test to determine which muscle is causing the nerve impingement and then work to relieve that tension and your symptoms.

What you can do: Developing healthier breathing habits can help relieve tension in the pecs and neck muscles. Breathe into your belly, then ribcage, then chest, being careful not to engage the muscles of the neck (they kick in during exercise, but shouldn’t engage during normal breathing), then exhale through the chest, ribcage and belly. Correcting sleeping posture can help as well. Try to avoid sleeping on the affected arm, having it curled underneath you or crossed over your chest, as well as avoiding any tilt or bend to the head. Easier said than done, especially if you’re a side sleeper, but it can make a big difference!

Seeking treatment: After being assessed for which muscles are causing the impingement, the focus of the treatment should be to your neck, shoulders, chest, and possibly arm. Often your back will be included, as the tension is usually connected. There may be some discomfort and nerve–like symptoms as the treatment zeroes in on the cause of the problem, but let your therapist know your comfort level. They can always take a break, lighten their pressure, or ease back in, all of which will still give you an effective treatment. It may take a few treatments before you see lasting results, but ask your therapist about stretches that can help bring results quicker and last longer.

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