Symptoms may start to be a bit fuzzy. The neck and shoulders may feel pain and be accompanied by hand stings, especially if you spend a lot of time on your computer. Pain in the hands and shoulders may worsen, and the patient may start to feel cold. The thoracic outlet syndrome may be benign at the beginning, but if left untreated, the patient's condition may worsen to a decline in work capacity and participation in daily life.

What is thoracic outlet syndrome?

Thoracic outlet syndrome [TOS] is a symptom that includes:

• Finger numbness
• Shoulder, neck and arm pain
• Limb damage, sometimes even discoloration

The TOS is caused by compression of the upper thoracic nerves and/or blood vessels. The thoracic outlet [TO] refers to the exit passage of nerves and blood vessels from the chest to the upper limb. TO is bounded by muscles, bones and other tissues, and any problem that causes muscles, bones and other tissues to border the thoracic outlet. Any condition that causes swelling in these tissues can lead to thoracic outlet syndrome. The thoracic outlet may be caused by poor posture, extensive computer work, and weight lifting, but it must be noted that sometimes there are no detectable causes.

How to treat thoracic outlet syndrome

1. Posture training: The first option for treating TOS is to assess daily activities, posture problems during work and rest, to reset posture as needed to reduce stress in the chest channel.
2. Manual treatment: The focus of manual therapy is to increase the range of motion of the shoulder strap and 1/2 rib. This also helps the patient maintain the ability to adjust the posture of the posture training.
3. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation or TENS: TENS or EMS is a pain treatment that uses low voltage currents that cause local release of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, to block pain signals in the brain.
4. Kinesio Tape: In addition to Kinesio tape in the relief of pain, reduce swelling and improve lymphatic function; Kinesio tape can also be used to help patients maintain the correct posture.
5. Treatment exercise: In order for patients to maintain proper posture to relieve stress, they must have the power and flexibility to do so. In addition to the exercises in the physiotherapy course, a family exercise program such as thoracic extension and rowing is required to successfully treat thoracic outlet syndrome.

The terms of service are one of the more annoying diagnoses at the beginning. However, if left untreated, it can be a source of disability and requires surgery. In our computer and technology-driven lifestyles, patient posture continues to decline, leaving most patient groups at risk of developing TOS. For patients, it is important to understand whether treatment is feasible and early intervention is key.

How physical therapy treats thoracic outlet syndrome was originally published on Spring