Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Treatment in Salt Lake City, UT Advanced Muscle Integration Technique (A.M.I.T.)
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Treatment in Salt Lake City, UT Advanced Muscle Integration Technique (A.M.I.T.)
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Treatment in Salt Lake City, UT Advanced Muscle Integration Technique (A.M.I.T.)
Understanding Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and the AMIT Solution
Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is compression of the nerves or blood vessels that pass through the narrow space between the collarbone and the first rib on their way to the arm. It usually affects one arm and causes pins and needles, aching, a hand that tires quickly, and symptoms that get worse with the arms overhead. Nerve compression is much more common than blood vessel compression.
Most TOS is treated without surgery. Because the space is bordered by the first rib, the collarbone, and the muscles of the neck and chest, how those ribs move and how those muscles work largely decides how much room the nerves have.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) occurs when blood vessels or nerves in the space between the collarbone and first rib become compressed. This compression leads to various symptoms, such as pain in the neck, shoulders, arms, or hands.
Left untreated, TOS can result in chronic discomfort and significant functional limitations. This is one of the neck and spine care AMIT addresses by restoring proper muscle activation instead of relying on surgery.
On This Page:
Causes of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Symptoms of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Types of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
How Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Is Diagnosed
Warning Signs That Need Urgent Care
AMIT Explanation for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Causes of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Common causes include:
Physical Trauma: Injuries from car accidents or falls.
Repetitive Injuries: Repeated movements from job-related activities or sports.
Anatomical Defects: Extra ribs or structural abnormalities.
Pregnancy: Hormonal changes may lead to swelling and TOS symptoms.
TOS is more common in women than in men, and poor posture and excess body weight can make it worse. Symptoms usually start between ages 20 and 50. Overhead positions narrow the space further, so people who work or play sports with their arms raised are frequently affected.
Symptoms of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Signs and symptoms may include:
Pain or Aches: Felt in the neck, shoulder, or hand.
Weakened Grip: Difficulty holding objects due to reduced hand strength.
Numbness or Tingling: Sensations in the arms, fingers, or hands.
Wasting of Thumb Muscles: Particularly in the neurogenic form of TOS.
The pins and needles are often worse at night and can wake you up. Many people notice symptoms when driving with their hands high on the wheel, blow-drying their hair, or reaching overhead.
Types of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
TOS is grouped by what is being compressed:
Neurogenic TOS: The nerves of the brachial plexus are compressed. This is by far the most common form and causes tingling, numbness, aching, and weakness in the arm and hand.
Venous TOS: The main vein draining the arm is compressed, which can lead to swelling, a heavy feeling, and bluish discoloration of the arm, and in some cases a blood clot.
Arterial TOS: The artery is compressed, often because of an extra rib in the neck (a cervical rib). The hand can feel cold, pale, and easily fatigued. This is the least common type.
How Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Is Diagnosed
TOS can be harder to pin down than other shoulder and arm problems because its symptoms overlap with several conditions. A pinched nerve from a cervical disc herniation causes arm pain and tingling too, and so does carpal tunnel syndrome at the wrist.
Examiners use position tests to reproduce symptoms. In one common test, you raise both arms overhead and open and close your fists for about three minutes; heaviness, tingling, or fatigue in one arm suggests TOS. X-rays can show an extra rib, and other imaging or nerve tests may be ordered depending on the findings.
Warning Signs That Need Urgent Care
Most TOS involves the nerves and is not an emergency. Blood vessel compression can be. Get urgent medical care if you have:
Throbbing or cramping pain, swelling, redness, and warmth in one arm, which can be signs of a blood clot
A hand or fingers that turn pale, blue, or cold and stay that way
Call 911 for sudden shortness of breath or sharp chest pain, especially with a cough or coughing up blood.
AMIT Explanation for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
TOS is frequently caused by trauma to the upper rib cage, clavicle, or lower cervical spine. This trauma leads to restricted movement of the 1st and 2nd ribs, tightening muscles and compressing nerves and blood vessels.
How Does AMIT Help?
The Advanced Muscle Integration Technique (AMIT) addresses the root cause of TOS by:
Reactivating Inhibited Muscles: Correcting imbalances and dysfunctions.
Manipulating the Ribs and Spine: Restoring proper alignment to relieve nerve and blood vessel compression.
Restoring Motion and Relieving Pain: Allowing for full mobility without surgery.
On a first visit we check how your first and second ribs and collarbone move, test arm strength and sensation, and then test the muscles of the neck, chest, and shoulder blade one at a time to find the ones that are not responding. If the exam suggests a blood vessel problem, we refer you for medical evaluation first. The visit takes about 40 minutes; what to expect explains how to prepare. TOS often follows an injury such as whiplash, and the two are frequently treated together.
Steps to Take If You Have Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Consult a Certified AMIT Physician: Contact our clinic for an evaluation and personalized treatment plan.
Rehabilitation: After AMIT treatment, we guide you through exercises to prevent future issues and restore full function.
If you're experiencing TOS symptoms, contact Advanced Muscle Integration Clinics in the Salt lake City Area today for effective treatment using the Advanced Muscle Integration Technique. Our certified AMIT physicians can help you recover faster and avoid surgery.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Treatment in Draper and Kaysville
AMIT Clinics treats thoracic outlet syndrome at both Utah locations: Draper, at 12371 S 900 E Unit 101, and Kaysville, at 447 North 300 West Ste 5. We see overhead athletes, people whose symptoms began after a car accident or fall, and people who have been through several tests without a clear answer. Shoulder problems that come with TOS are covered in our article on shoulder pain that won't heal.
Frequently Asked Questions About Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
What does thoracic outlet syndrome feel like?
Usually pins and needles, numbness, or aching in one arm and hand, a weak grip, and an arm that tires quickly. Symptoms often get worse with the arms overhead and can be worse at night.
What causes thoracic outlet syndrome?
Injury, such as a car accident or fall; repetitive overhead work or sports; and anatomy you are born with, such as an extra rib in the neck. Poor posture and excess body weight can make it worse.
What are the three types of thoracic outlet syndrome?
Neurogenic, where nerves are compressed and which is by far the most common; venous, where the main arm vein is compressed; and arterial, where the artery is compressed, usually because of an extra rib.
Does thoracic outlet syndrome need surgery?
Usually not. Treatment for TOS usually does not include surgery. Surgery may be considered for serious problems, such as blood clots, or when an extra rib is the cause and other treatment has not worked.
How is thoracic outlet syndrome different from carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel compresses a nerve at the wrist and mainly affects the thumb, index, and middle fingers. TOS compresses nerves or vessels near the collarbone and first rib, so symptoms often involve the whole arm and get worse with the arm raised.
How is thoracic outlet syndrome diagnosed?
With an exam that tries to reproduce the symptoms. In one common test you raise both arms overhead and open and close your fists for about three minutes. X-rays can show an extra rib, and other imaging or nerve tests may be ordered depending on the findings.
Call 801.544.2355 to be seen.
Schedule an Appointment
Call: 801.544.2355
Or, use the link below to get started:
Understanding Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and the AMIT Solution
Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is compression of the nerves or blood vessels that pass through the narrow space between the collarbone and the first rib on their way to the arm. It usually affects one arm and causes pins and needles, aching, a hand that tires quickly, and symptoms that get worse with the arms overhead. Nerve compression is much more common than blood vessel compression.
Most TOS is treated without surgery. Because the space is bordered by the first rib, the collarbone, and the muscles of the neck and chest, how those ribs move and how those muscles work largely decides how much room the nerves have.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) occurs when blood vessels or nerves in the space between the collarbone and first rib become compressed. This compression leads to various symptoms, such as pain in the neck, shoulders, arms, or hands.
Left untreated, TOS can result in chronic discomfort and significant functional limitations. This is one of the neck and spine care AMIT addresses by restoring proper muscle activation instead of relying on surgery.
On This Page:
Causes of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Symptoms of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Types of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
How Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Is Diagnosed
Warning Signs That Need Urgent Care
AMIT Explanation for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Causes of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Common causes include:
Physical Trauma: Injuries from car accidents or falls.
Repetitive Injuries: Repeated movements from job-related activities or sports.
Anatomical Defects: Extra ribs or structural abnormalities.
Pregnancy: Hormonal changes may lead to swelling and TOS symptoms.
TOS is more common in women than in men, and poor posture and excess body weight can make it worse. Symptoms usually start between ages 20 and 50. Overhead positions narrow the space further, so people who work or play sports with their arms raised are frequently affected.
Symptoms of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Signs and symptoms may include:
Pain or Aches: Felt in the neck, shoulder, or hand.
Weakened Grip: Difficulty holding objects due to reduced hand strength.
Numbness or Tingling: Sensations in the arms, fingers, or hands.
Wasting of Thumb Muscles: Particularly in the neurogenic form of TOS.
The pins and needles are often worse at night and can wake you up. Many people notice symptoms when driving with their hands high on the wheel, blow-drying their hair, or reaching overhead.
Types of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
TOS is grouped by what is being compressed:
Neurogenic TOS: The nerves of the brachial plexus are compressed. This is by far the most common form and causes tingling, numbness, aching, and weakness in the arm and hand.
Venous TOS: The main vein draining the arm is compressed, which can lead to swelling, a heavy feeling, and bluish discoloration of the arm, and in some cases a blood clot.
Arterial TOS: The artery is compressed, often because of an extra rib in the neck (a cervical rib). The hand can feel cold, pale, and easily fatigued. This is the least common type.
How Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Is Diagnosed
TOS can be harder to pin down than other shoulder and arm problems because its symptoms overlap with several conditions. A pinched nerve from a cervical disc herniation causes arm pain and tingling too, and so does carpal tunnel syndrome at the wrist.
Examiners use position tests to reproduce symptoms. In one common test, you raise both arms overhead and open and close your fists for about three minutes; heaviness, tingling, or fatigue in one arm suggests TOS. X-rays can show an extra rib, and other imaging or nerve tests may be ordered depending on the findings.
Warning Signs That Need Urgent Care
Most TOS involves the nerves and is not an emergency. Blood vessel compression can be. Get urgent medical care if you have:
Throbbing or cramping pain, swelling, redness, and warmth in one arm, which can be signs of a blood clot
A hand or fingers that turn pale, blue, or cold and stay that way
Call 911 for sudden shortness of breath or sharp chest pain, especially with a cough or coughing up blood.
AMIT Explanation for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
TOS is frequently caused by trauma to the upper rib cage, clavicle, or lower cervical spine. This trauma leads to restricted movement of the 1st and 2nd ribs, tightening muscles and compressing nerves and blood vessels.
How Does AMIT Help?
The Advanced Muscle Integration Technique (AMIT) addresses the root cause of TOS by:
Reactivating Inhibited Muscles: Correcting imbalances and dysfunctions.
Manipulating the Ribs and Spine: Restoring proper alignment to relieve nerve and blood vessel compression.
Restoring Motion and Relieving Pain: Allowing for full mobility without surgery.
On a first visit we check how your first and second ribs and collarbone move, test arm strength and sensation, and then test the muscles of the neck, chest, and shoulder blade one at a time to find the ones that are not responding. If the exam suggests a blood vessel problem, we refer you for medical evaluation first. The visit takes about 40 minutes; what to expect explains how to prepare. TOS often follows an injury such as whiplash, and the two are frequently treated together.
Steps to Take If You Have Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Consult a Certified AMIT Physician: Contact our clinic for an evaluation and personalized treatment plan.
Rehabilitation: After AMIT treatment, we guide you through exercises to prevent future issues and restore full function.
If you're experiencing TOS symptoms, contact Advanced Muscle Integration Clinics in the Salt lake City Area today for effective treatment using the Advanced Muscle Integration Technique. Our certified AMIT physicians can help you recover faster and avoid surgery.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Treatment in Draper and Kaysville
AMIT Clinics treats thoracic outlet syndrome at both Utah locations: Draper, at 12371 S 900 E Unit 101, and Kaysville, at 447 North 300 West Ste 5. We see overhead athletes, people whose symptoms began after a car accident or fall, and people who have been through several tests without a clear answer. Shoulder problems that come with TOS are covered in our article on shoulder pain that won't heal.
Frequently Asked Questions About Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
What does thoracic outlet syndrome feel like?
Usually pins and needles, numbness, or aching in one arm and hand, a weak grip, and an arm that tires quickly. Symptoms often get worse with the arms overhead and can be worse at night.
What causes thoracic outlet syndrome?
Injury, such as a car accident or fall; repetitive overhead work or sports; and anatomy you are born with, such as an extra rib in the neck. Poor posture and excess body weight can make it worse.
What are the three types of thoracic outlet syndrome?
Neurogenic, where nerves are compressed and which is by far the most common; venous, where the main arm vein is compressed; and arterial, where the artery is compressed, usually because of an extra rib.
Does thoracic outlet syndrome need surgery?
Usually not. Treatment for TOS usually does not include surgery. Surgery may be considered for serious problems, such as blood clots, or when an extra rib is the cause and other treatment has not worked.
How is thoracic outlet syndrome different from carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel compresses a nerve at the wrist and mainly affects the thumb, index, and middle fingers. TOS compresses nerves or vessels near the collarbone and first rib, so symptoms often involve the whole arm and get worse with the arm raised.
How is thoracic outlet syndrome diagnosed?
With an exam that tries to reproduce the symptoms. In one common test you raise both arms overhead and open and close your fists for about three minutes. X-rays can show an extra rib, and other imaging or nerve tests may be ordered depending on the findings.
Call 801.544.2355 to be seen.
Schedule an Appointment
Call: 801.544.2355
Or, use the link below to get started:
Understanding Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and the AMIT Solution
Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is compression of the nerves or blood vessels that pass through the narrow space between the collarbone and the first rib on their way to the arm. It usually affects one arm and causes pins and needles, aching, a hand that tires quickly, and symptoms that get worse with the arms overhead. Nerve compression is much more common than blood vessel compression.
Most TOS is treated without surgery. Because the space is bordered by the first rib, the collarbone, and the muscles of the neck and chest, how those ribs move and how those muscles work largely decides how much room the nerves have.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) occurs when blood vessels or nerves in the space between the collarbone and first rib become compressed. This compression leads to various symptoms, such as pain in the neck, shoulders, arms, or hands.
Left untreated, TOS can result in chronic discomfort and significant functional limitations. This is one of the neck and spine care AMIT addresses by restoring proper muscle activation instead of relying on surgery.
On This Page:
Causes of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Symptoms of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Types of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
How Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Is Diagnosed
Warning Signs That Need Urgent Care
AMIT Explanation for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Causes of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Common causes include:
Physical Trauma: Injuries from car accidents or falls.
Repetitive Injuries: Repeated movements from job-related activities or sports.
Anatomical Defects: Extra ribs or structural abnormalities.
Pregnancy: Hormonal changes may lead to swelling and TOS symptoms.
TOS is more common in women than in men, and poor posture and excess body weight can make it worse. Symptoms usually start between ages 20 and 50. Overhead positions narrow the space further, so people who work or play sports with their arms raised are frequently affected.
Symptoms of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Signs and symptoms may include:
Pain or Aches: Felt in the neck, shoulder, or hand.
Weakened Grip: Difficulty holding objects due to reduced hand strength.
Numbness or Tingling: Sensations in the arms, fingers, or hands.
Wasting of Thumb Muscles: Particularly in the neurogenic form of TOS.
The pins and needles are often worse at night and can wake you up. Many people notice symptoms when driving with their hands high on the wheel, blow-drying their hair, or reaching overhead.
Types of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
TOS is grouped by what is being compressed:
Neurogenic TOS: The nerves of the brachial plexus are compressed. This is by far the most common form and causes tingling, numbness, aching, and weakness in the arm and hand.
Venous TOS: The main vein draining the arm is compressed, which can lead to swelling, a heavy feeling, and bluish discoloration of the arm, and in some cases a blood clot.
Arterial TOS: The artery is compressed, often because of an extra rib in the neck (a cervical rib). The hand can feel cold, pale, and easily fatigued. This is the least common type.
How Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Is Diagnosed
TOS can be harder to pin down than other shoulder and arm problems because its symptoms overlap with several conditions. A pinched nerve from a cervical disc herniation causes arm pain and tingling too, and so does carpal tunnel syndrome at the wrist.
Examiners use position tests to reproduce symptoms. In one common test, you raise both arms overhead and open and close your fists for about three minutes; heaviness, tingling, or fatigue in one arm suggests TOS. X-rays can show an extra rib, and other imaging or nerve tests may be ordered depending on the findings.
Warning Signs That Need Urgent Care
Most TOS involves the nerves and is not an emergency. Blood vessel compression can be. Get urgent medical care if you have:
Throbbing or cramping pain, swelling, redness, and warmth in one arm, which can be signs of a blood clot
A hand or fingers that turn pale, blue, or cold and stay that way
Call 911 for sudden shortness of breath or sharp chest pain, especially with a cough or coughing up blood.
AMIT Explanation for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
TOS is frequently caused by trauma to the upper rib cage, clavicle, or lower cervical spine. This trauma leads to restricted movement of the 1st and 2nd ribs, tightening muscles and compressing nerves and blood vessels.
How Does AMIT Help?
The Advanced Muscle Integration Technique (AMIT) addresses the root cause of TOS by:
Reactivating Inhibited Muscles: Correcting imbalances and dysfunctions.
Manipulating the Ribs and Spine: Restoring proper alignment to relieve nerve and blood vessel compression.
Restoring Motion and Relieving Pain: Allowing for full mobility without surgery.
On a first visit we check how your first and second ribs and collarbone move, test arm strength and sensation, and then test the muscles of the neck, chest, and shoulder blade one at a time to find the ones that are not responding. If the exam suggests a blood vessel problem, we refer you for medical evaluation first. The visit takes about 40 minutes; what to expect explains how to prepare. TOS often follows an injury such as whiplash, and the two are frequently treated together.
Steps to Take If You Have Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Consult a Certified AMIT Physician: Contact our clinic for an evaluation and personalized treatment plan.
Rehabilitation: After AMIT treatment, we guide you through exercises to prevent future issues and restore full function.
If you're experiencing TOS symptoms, contact Advanced Muscle Integration Clinics in the Salt lake City Area today for effective treatment using the Advanced Muscle Integration Technique. Our certified AMIT physicians can help you recover faster and avoid surgery.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Treatment in Draper and Kaysville
AMIT Clinics treats thoracic outlet syndrome at both Utah locations: Draper, at 12371 S 900 E Unit 101, and Kaysville, at 447 North 300 West Ste 5. We see overhead athletes, people whose symptoms began after a car accident or fall, and people who have been through several tests without a clear answer. Shoulder problems that come with TOS are covered in our article on shoulder pain that won't heal.
Frequently Asked Questions About Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
What does thoracic outlet syndrome feel like?
Usually pins and needles, numbness, or aching in one arm and hand, a weak grip, and an arm that tires quickly. Symptoms often get worse with the arms overhead and can be worse at night.
What causes thoracic outlet syndrome?
Injury, such as a car accident or fall; repetitive overhead work or sports; and anatomy you are born with, such as an extra rib in the neck. Poor posture and excess body weight can make it worse.
What are the three types of thoracic outlet syndrome?
Neurogenic, where nerves are compressed and which is by far the most common; venous, where the main arm vein is compressed; and arterial, where the artery is compressed, usually because of an extra rib.
Does thoracic outlet syndrome need surgery?
Usually not. Treatment for TOS usually does not include surgery. Surgery may be considered for serious problems, such as blood clots, or when an extra rib is the cause and other treatment has not worked.
How is thoracic outlet syndrome different from carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel compresses a nerve at the wrist and mainly affects the thumb, index, and middle fingers. TOS compresses nerves or vessels near the collarbone and first rib, so symptoms often involve the whole arm and get worse with the arm raised.
How is thoracic outlet syndrome diagnosed?
With an exam that tries to reproduce the symptoms. In one common test you raise both arms overhead and open and close your fists for about three minutes. X-rays can show an extra rib, and other imaging or nerve tests may be ordered depending on the findings.
Call 801.544.2355 to be seen.
Schedule an Appointment
Call: 801.544.2355
Or, use the link below to get started: