Thoracic Outlet Syndrome is a condition that involves the compression of the neurovascular bundle (brachial plexus ( C5-T1) and its accompanying artery and vein).
Types of TOS Thoracic Outlet Syndrome:
- Anterior Scalene Syndrome – TOS in the Anterior and middle scalene
- Pectoralis Minor Syndrome – TOS beneath the pectoralis minor muscle
- Costoclavicular Syndrome – TOS between the clavicle and the first rib
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Massage Therapy Treatment:
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Massage: HYDRO:
deep moist heat to Hypertonic muscles, cool hydro to edematous tissue
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Massage: PRONE:
- Basic Massage Techniques to the upper back
- Deep muscle stripping on Trapezius
- Ischemic Compressions and Muscle Stripping to Trigger points that refer to the medial hand
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Massage: SUPINE:
- Myofascial Release to the neck, shoulder, chest.
- Sternocleidomastoid treatment before treating scalenes
- Origin and Insertion, Muscle Stripping, Petrissage, Ischemic Compressions on the Scalenes
- Myofascial Release, Muscle Stripping, Petrissage, GTO on Pectoralis Major, then Pectoralis minor muscles
- Muscle strippin on the Subclavius muscle
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Massage: SIDELYING:
- Myofascial release and petrissage to the to the neck, shoulders, latissimus dorsi
- Petrissage to pectoralis major and minor
Considerations / Contraindications for : Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Massage ( TOS Massage )
- Deep moist heat over the heart
- Deep moist heat in the anterior neck if client has hypertension or atherosclerosis in the neck
- Frictions with anti inflammatories
- Deep Muscle Stripping on atrophied muscles
- Avoid aggressive mobilization technique if client has a cervical rib, Rheumatoid Arthritis , or Degenerative Disc Disorder in the cervical spine
Signs and Symptoms for (TOS) Thoracic Outlet Syndrome:
- Numbness and tingling in fingers and hand
- Pallor, Purple or bluish fingertips
- Venous compromise ( ischemia and edema in hand) – Not seen with anterior scalene syndrome
- Neuronal compression:
- Paresthesia and hyperthesia ( numbness and tingling ) primarily on ulnar side and can spread to entire hand
- Pain ( diffuse, aching, throbbing) in the shoulder, forearm , hand
- Pain triggered or increased by letting the arm hang
- Motor Weakness or atrophy of the hypothenar muscle
SELF CARE for TOS ( Thoracic Outlet Syndrome):
- Stretch Sternocleidomastoids, scalenes, pectoralis muscles
- Strengthen upper trapezius, rhomboids
