Do you experience tingling in your arm, numb fingers or aching around your shoulder that seems to come and go?
These symptoms can sometimes be caused by Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS), a condition in which the nerves or blood vessels travelling from the neck into the arm become irritated or compressed as they pass through the shoulder region.
Because many other conditions can cause similar symptoms, a thorough assessment is essential to identify the source of the problem.
The thoracic outlet is the space between your neck and shoulder where important nerves and blood vessels travel into the arm.
This space is surrounded by the first rib, collarbone, upper ribs, muscles and joints of the neck and upper back. If these structures become tight or move less efficiently, the space available for these nerves and blood vessels may be reduced, potentially contributing to symptoms.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome can cause a variety of symptoms, including:
Because these symptoms overlap with conditions such as cervical nerve irritation or shoulder problems, an accurate diagnosis is important.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome rarely has a single cause.
Poor posture, repetitive overhead work, prolonged desk work, previous injuries or repetitive sports can all contribute. Tight muscles around the neck and chest, together with reduced movement of the upper ribs and thoracic spine, may alter how the shoulder girdle moves and reduce the available space around the thoracic outlet.
Rather than one structure being responsible, it is often a combination of factors affecting the mechanics of the upper body.
The ribs and thoracic spine form the foundation on which the neck and shoulders move.
When the upper ribs or thoracic spine become stiff, the shoulder girdle often has to compensate. This can increase muscle tension around the neck and shoulder and alter the mechanics of the thoracic outlet.
At The Third Space, we assess how your neck, ribs, thoracic spine and shoulders move together. Gentle chiropractic adjustments aim to restore normal movement to the ribs and thoracic spine, helping the upper body move more efficiently and reducing unnecessary muscle guarding.
By improving the mechanics of the entire region, we aim to reduce irritation of the surrounding tissues and help you move more comfortably.
If you’re experiencing tingling, numbness, shoulder pain or discomfort that travels into your arm, we’d be happy to help.
At The Third Space in Amsterdam-Oost, we provide a thorough assessment to determine whether Thoracic Outlet Syndrome or another condition may be contributing to your symptoms before creating an individual treatment plan tailored to your needs.
