In my clinical experience, one of the most heartbreaking patterns is meeting individuals who have undergone multiple surgeries yet continue to suffer. They were promised relief from pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness radiating down the arm, only to wake up after each procedure unchanged or worse. Many of these individuals had carpal tunnel release surgery, […]
Botox injections are often presented as a simple solution for neck and shoulder pain. However, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome is not a cosmetic issue. It is a mechanical, inflammatory, multi-chokepoint compression disorder involving posture, muscle tone, and neurological reflexes. In my clinical experience, many individuals offered Botox already have weak, fatigued muscles struggling to stabilize the […]
Modern technology is creating a sharp rise in Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and chronic neck and upper-extremity symptoms. In my clinical experience, most individuals underestimate how much mechanical stress is placed on the shoulder girdle during everyday device use. According to Nielsen statistics, Americans now spend approximately 11.5 hours per day on handheld devices. That translates […]
Most patients are told there are “four types” of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. These labels usually include neurogenic, venous, arterial, and disputed categories. While this framework may sound organized, it often fails to explain why symptoms fluctuate from day to day. In my clinical experience, individuals frequently report that one day their symptoms feel nerve-related, another […]
When Oliver arrived at Team Doctors® in Chicago, his first words were that he had traveled more than 4,500 miles because no one in Europe could help him. Despite being a highly trained nurse with access to advanced medical care, his condition continued to deteriorate under severe Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. In my clinical experience, this […]
One of our patients arrived after living with chronic pain after TOS surgery for nearly eight years. She had undergone first rib resection and scalenectomy yet continued to experience debilitating symptoms that affected every part of daily life. In my clinical experience, individuals who seek help after surgery often describe worsening pain rather than relief. […]
Most people are unaware that every time they lift a cell phone, they activate the pectoralis minor muscle. This small but powerful muscle plays a central role in stabilizing the shoulder during forward arm tasks. With repeated phone use, typing, or prolonged reaching, the pectoralis minor remains contracted for extended periods. Over time, this leads […]
He had always believed pain was something a person worked through. Discomfort, in his mind, was temporary—an expected byproduct of effort, deadlines, and responsibility. He had spent years pushing himself in school and work, trusting that the body would eventually adapt. That belief began to unravel when his arms stopped feeling reliable. At first, the […]
Part of the problem in modern medicine is an overreliance on diagnostic testing. Many clinicians believe advanced imaging can explain every symptom a patient reports. This belief has shaped how thoracic outlet syndrome imaging is commonly used today. Scans are often reviewed before a full physical examination is completed. In my clinical experience, this sequence […]
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, often shortened to TOS, describes a group of conditions where nerves or blood vessels are compressed as they travel from the neck to the arm. In vascular forms of TOS, changes in circulation become a central feature, and patients often notice symptoms in the arm rather than the neck. Many individuals seek […]
