| In my San Antonio Massage Therapy and | | | | Myofascial Release techniques or Deep Tissue |
| Bodywork practice I often treat pain from | | | | Massage techniques to release fascial adhesions in |
| various syndromes including Thoracic Outlet | | | | the area of the thoracic outlet and surrounding |
| Syndrome. Like many painful conditions Thoracic | | | | tissues while also using Muscle Energy Techniques |
| Outlet Syndrome responds very well to massage | | | | to gently lengthen the scalene muscles and other |
| therapy and bodywork. | | | | affected neck, chest, and shoulder muscles. |
| What is Thoracic Outlet Syndrome? | | | | Thoracic Outlet Syndrome also responds well to |
| Though many people with this condition think they | | | | positional release therapies such as Ortho-Bionomy |
| may have just "slept wrong" and awakened with | | | | which work with the body's nervous system to |
| a numb hand, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome is the | | | | release muscles and improve joint movement in |
| name given to a group of painful nerve | | | | the area. Ortho-Bionomy is particularly effective |
| impingement conditions in which the nerve bundle | | | | when the nerves are being compressed by the |
| to the arm (brachial plexus) is placed under | | | | clavicle (collar bone) and first rib. In addition to |
| abnormal pressure by the muscles in the front of | | | | working on the scalene muscles and pectoralis |
| the neck (scalenes), by the collar bone and first | | | | minor muscle it may be necessary to provide |
| rib, or the pectoralis minor muscle in the upper | | | | therapy for other muscles adjacent to, or |
| chest/armpit area. The most common symptoms | | | | opposing the scalenes or pectoralis minor to |
| of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome are pain and | | | | improve muscular balance. Treatment for postural |
| numbness in the arm and hand of the affected | | | | issues may also be needed. Comprehensive |
| side; however, those who suffer from this | | | | treatment with massage and bodywork, in |
| condition may have only pain or only numbness. In | | | | conjunction with a home program of stretching |
| some cases Thoracic Outlet Syndrome may also | | | | and exercise, usually helps to completely resolve |
| encompass a dangerous restriction of blood flow. | | | | Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. |
| Most of the time the symptoms are on one side, | | | | Other Treatments for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome |
| but may affect both sides in some cases. | | | | While massage therapy and bodywork are an |
| What is the cause of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome? | | | | excellent treatment for Thoracic Outlet |
| There are a number of causes for Thoracic | | | | Syndrome there are other treatments you should |
| Outlet Syndrome including whiplash injuries from | | | | discuss with your physician: |
| motor vehicle accidents and sports injuries. | | | | 1) Muscle Relaxer medications; |
| Postural issues, especially a forward head posture | | | | 2) Anti-inflammatory medications; |
| like that maintained by office workers and | | | | 3) Surgery |
| computer users, can also trigger the onset of this | | | | Other Names for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome |
| syndrome. Thoracic Outlet Syndrome may also | | | | 1) Anterior Scalene Syndrome; |
| be the result of overstressing the muscles in the | | | | 2) Costoclavicular Syndrome; |
| thoracic outlet area during exercise, or by impact | | | | 3) Pectoralis Minor Syndrome; |
| injuries to the shoulder or upper chest area. | | | | 4) Thoracic Inlet Syndrome |
| Additionally, though it is rare, a "cervical rib" may | | | | The information in this article has been provided |
| be the blame for this condition. | | | | for information purposes only. It is not meant to |
| Massage Therapy and Bodywork for Thoracic | | | | provide a medical diagnosis, only a licensed |
| Outlet Syndrome | | | | physician may diagnose Thoracic Outlet |
| There are many ways that massage therapy and | | | | Syndrome. If you feel that you have the |
| bodywork can be used to treat Thoracic Outlet | | | | symptoms of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome please |
| Syndrome. The massage therapist will employ a | | | | see your physician for a proper diagnosis and plan |
| number of techniques to relieve the condition. For | | | | of treatment which may include massage therapy |
| example, the massage therapist may use | | | | and bodywork. There are a number of more |
| Neuromuscular Therapy or Trigger Point Therapy | | | | serious conditions that resemble Thoracic Outlet |
| to eliminate myofascial trigger points in the | | | | Syndrome that could require immediate medical |
| scalene muscles and other muscle of the front of | | | | intervention. |
| the neck. The massage therapist could also use | | | | |