syndrome (TOS).
This condition is caused by compression of nerves or blood vessels (or both) through the area between the base of the neck and the armpit (the thoracic outlet). This area is surrounded by muscle, bone and other tissue and anything that results in enlargement or movement of these structures can cause thoracic
outlet syndrome.
- Neck, shoulder, and arm pain
- Arm, hand or finger numbness
- Arm and hand weakness
- Impaired circulation to the extremities (causing discoloration)
- Symptoms may be bilateral (both sides) but is more typically unilateral (one side only)
If the problem is muscular, massage therapy may very well alleviate your symptoms. Constant muscle tension in the neck or muscles with trigger points could compress the nerve or artery, or press them against bone. Other possible treatments should include postural retraining and structural alignment, muscle strengthening and stretching.
When non-intrusive solutions do not work, surgery might be the alternative. With surgical repair of thoracic outlet syndrome part of the bone or muscle might have to be removed or scraped to make space for the nerve or artery.
If massage therapy is used, the therapist would check the scalenes and pectoralis muscles for hypertonicity and check all areas for trigger points.There are also some stretches that could be used for keeping the tightness out of the muscles.
Working with the client, the massage therapist would need to find out if anything the client is doing in daily life is causing the problem. Then the two would work together to correct that, whether it be poor posture, or repetitive work, or sports related movements that are aggravating it.
It’s sometimes hard to identify the cause and anatomy involved in thoracic outlet syndrome, but massage therapy would be a good, safe place to start, regardless.
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