ChiroTrust

The ChiroTrust Pledge

  • Member Login
  • Non-Member D.C.
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
  • Back Pain
  • Neck Pain
  • CTS
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Headaches
  • Whiplash
  • Whole Body
    • Exercises
  • Joint Pain
    • Shoulder Pain
    • Hip Pain
    • Knee Pain
  • Advanced
You are here: Home / Neck Pain / Is It My Neck or Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?

Is It My Neck or Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?

October 14, 2012 by ChiroTrust

516
SHARES
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
GoogleLinkedin

Neck pain can arise from many different sources with a similar clinical presentation, which can make it a challenge to diagnose. One of those related, and sometimes co-existing conditions, is called thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). Let’s first discuss the anatomy of the neck and the thoracic outlet so we all have a good “picture” in mind of what we’re talking about.

TOS can arise from either blood vessel compression, nerve compression, or both, making the ease of diagnosis difficult. Adding to the challenge, the “pinch” of the structure can occur at more than one place! The nerves and blood vessels can get pinched at the exiting holes in the spine (“neuroforamen”), by tight “scalene” muscles, under the collar bone (clavicle), and/or by a tight pectoralis minor muscle near the arm pit. Hence, the symptoms usually include pain and numbness in the shoulder, arm, and hand (usually affecting the 4th & 5th fingers). It’s the job of your chiropractor to run different tests to figure out where the primary pinch or pinches are located so he or she can treat the right area.

The causes of TOS can be many, with one of the obvious being a fractured collar bone or clavicle. Another is from having an extra rib. As there is not a lot of room for an extra structure, this can be a point of compression for some (but doesn’t create TOS in everyone). An overly tight scalene muscle, scar tissue, an extra large muscle, and so on can also result in pinching of the nerves and/or blood vessels.

Purses, backpacks, carrying golf clubs, a mailbag, and the like can also cause a pinch. A seat belt injury from a car accident is yet another cause, either from the direct trauma, or later when scar tissue forms in the area.

A slouchy, slumped posture where the shoulders roll forwards can cause TOS. Large breasts and obesity also add to the list of risk factors. Women are affected 3x more than men. Certain jobs where reaching overhead or outwards such as food servers, carpenters, and electricians can also increase TOS risk.

 

Thousands of Doctors of Chiropractic across the United States and Canada have taken "The ChiroTrust Pledge": “To the best of my ability, I agree to provide my patients convenient, affordable, and mainstream Chiropractic care. I will not use unnecessary long-term treatment plans and/or therapies.”

To locate a Doctor of Chiropractic who has taken The ChiroTrust Pledge, google "The ChiroTrust Pledge" and the name of a town in quotes.

(example: “ChiroTrust Pledge” “Olympia, WA”)

516
SHARES
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
GoogleLinkedin

Related Articles

Surgery for Neck and Arm Pain? We in the healthcare management world are all biased. If a patient with neck and arm pain presents to chiropractic clinic, the doctor of chiropractic will usually recommend a non-surgical trial of care as long as “red flags” don’t exist (that is, “bad” things like bowel/bladder weakness, rapidly worsening symptoms, and a few others). Frequently, th...
Neck Pain and Smoking – What’s the Connection? There is a lot of convincing peer-reviewed literature (research) that supports chiropractic as one of the first and best courses of care to consider when choosing a treatment option for neck pain and headaches. This is because there is low risk, few (and rare) side-effects, and most importantly, IT REALLY WORKS! But, there are other considerations ...
Neck Pain: “What Can A Chiropractor Do For That?... "I was golfing a month ago (or at least trying to…) and I hit the ground too hard and felt a jolt in my neck. Since then, I can’t turn my head to the right, my right arm is numb, and I can’t sleep through the night. I went to my family doctor and he eventually gave me a muscle relaxer, an anti-inflammatory, and a pain pill. I can sleep better but I...
Neck Pain – Management Strategies As discussed last month, when you make an appointment for a chiropractic evaluation for your neck pain, your doctor of chiropractic will provide both in-office procedures as well as teach you many self-help approaches so that as a “team”, together WE can manage your neck pain or headache complaint to a satisfying end-point. So, what are some of the...

Filed Under: Neck Pain

« Previous Page
Next Page »

Leave Your Comment Below!

Thousands of Doctors of Chiropractic across the United States and Canada have taken "The ChiroTrust Pledge": “To the best of my ability,
I agree to provide my patients convenient, affordable, and mainstream Chiropractic care.
I will not use unnecessary
long-term treatment plans and/or therapies.”

To locate a Doctor of Chiropractic who has taken The ChiroTrust Pledge, google "The ChiroTrust Pledge" and the name of a town in quotes.

(example: “ChiroTrust Pledge” “Olympia, WA”)

  • Back Pain
  • Neck Pain
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Headaches
  • Whiplash
  • Whole Body Health
  • Advanced Articles
  • Exercises

Search:

Most Shared Articles

  •  
    Fibromyalgia (FM) and Central Nervous System Problems...
    29k Shares
  •  
    Fibromyalgia and the Immune System...
    8.4k Shares
  •  
    Fibromyalgia – “What Can I Do for This Pain?”...
    8.3k Shares
  •  
    10 Tricks to Manage Low Back Pain...
    6.6k Shares
  •  
    Concussion,The Cervical Spine,and Spinal Manipulation...
    5.9k Shares
  •  
    Chiropractic Manipulation for Chronic Migraine Headache...
    5.2k Shares
  •  
    Truths & Myths of MRI for Low Back Pain...
    4.9k Shares
  •  
    Can Chiropractic Adjustments Help Headaches?...
    4.4k Shares
  •  
    Can Whiplash Treatment Outcomes Be Predicted Early On?...
    3.7k Shares
  •  
    Exercises for Improving Cervical Posture...
    3.7k Shares

© Copyright 2019 ChiroTrust® · All Rights Reserved
Sitemap | Privacy Policy | Cookie Notice

This information is not to be considered, use as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please talk to your health care provider for anything related to your health including but not limited to diagnosis and treatment advice and/or care. None of the information offered through this website represents or warrants that any particular doctor, care, products, or services is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. Always seek the advice of a health care professional. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem or condition, please contact a qualified health care professional immediately. If you are in the United States and are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911 or call for emergency medical help on the nearest telephone.
7ads6x98y

Share This Post With Your Friends!

Is It My Neck or Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?

516
SHARES
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
GoogleLinkedin