Thoracic Outlet Syndrome is is a condition in which the nerves and blood vessels located between the muscles of the neck and the shoulder or beneath the collarbone and above the thoracic outlet (aka the first rib) become compressed or squeezed. The result is pain, discomfort, or weakness in the arms, the hands, and fingers.
While many doctors will recommend surgery to relieve the compression of these nerves and blood vessels, physical therapy and pain medications are also common alternatives. The team at Light Chiropractic would like to offer an additional option - a non-invasive treatment regimen that relies on chiropractic care to locate and alleviate the compressed region to provide relief from the symptoms of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.
What Causes Thoracic
Outlet Syndrome?
The truth is, we don't always know what causes this condition to develop and symptoms to flare up. Case studies and previous experience with the condition have shown that any number of factors could be the cause of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. The most common reasons include severe physical trauma from a jarring accident or sports-related injury, an injury from a job-related repetitive movement, anatomical defect, even a pregnancy could result in the development of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.
Symptoms of Thoracic
Outlet Syndrome
Symptoms will typically show up depending on what is being compressed or squeezed in the Thoracic Outlet. Nerves and blood vessels may result in different sensations being felt but if you are experiencing any of the following, it's important that you have the issue addressed as quickly as possible.
- Numbness in the arm or in the hand and fingers
- Tingling sensation
- Pain or discomfort in the shoulder, the arm, or hand
- Swelling of the arm
- Cold sensations in the hand or fingers
- Weak pulse felt in the arm
- Blood clots
- Discoloration of the skin at the hand
Chiropractic Treatment for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
The common treatments for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome are physical therapy exercises and pain medications. Some medical professionals will suggest surgery for particularly severe cases of this condition. But chiropractic treatments can be a highly effective, non-invasive alternative to these traditional care options.
It is very important that symptoms associated with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome are addressed as quickly as possible because nerve damage could occur if the condition goes untreated. That's why you should schedule a consultation at Light Chiropractic. We have helped many patients who have suffered through Thoracic Outlet Syndrome by focusing proper alignment to correct the compression of the nerves and blood vessels. Some of these patients sought out medical opinions to properly diagnose the issue as Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and then came to see us for treatment.
When you come to Light Chiropractic to relieve the pain and discomfort of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, a chiropractic professional will determine the cause of the compression by focusing on the alignment of your skeletal structure and tissues. The issue could be due to poor posture or some other spinal misalignment that needs to be corrected.
Your chiropractor will examine the vertebrae, the ribs, and the collarbone to determine the possible location of the compression and the reasons behind it. If the diagnosis points to some type of misalignment, the chiropractor will recommend spinal manipulations and adjustments to help realign your posture and the tissues around the spine. After those manipulations and adjustments are applied, you may be given a regimen of physical exercises to practice at home. These will help to strengthen the muscles near the spinal column and thoracic outlet to help you maintain correct posture and keep from any further compression taking place.
Chiropractic care can be extremely effective in treating Thoracic Outlet Syndrome before invasive surgery or potent pain medications are introduced to address the problem. So many of our patients are surprised and relieved to find out that chiropractic treatments can be just as effective at eliminating the problem when they have been steered towards more invasive avenues of care first.
Weigh all of your options before you select the treatment option that is best for you. Give us a call and schedule an appointment with one of our skilled chiropractors at Light Chiropractic.
