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 […]
Many people describe arm goes numb while sleeping without understanding why symptoms change between night and day. This pattern is commonly discussed in educational settings related to Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and upper limb biomechanics. Patients often report waking up with numb arm sensations that resolve gradually after they begin moving in the morning. This change […]
Many individuals searching for answers describe why nothing helps my arm pain even after months or years of evaluations. In clinical discussions, this concern often appears when symptoms continue despite rest, imaging, or repeated consultations. Patients often report reaching a point where they feel they are at the last option for thoracic outlet syndrome. This […]
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome is a condition defined by compression within the thoracic outlet, the narrow passageway between the neck and upper chest. This space allows nerves, arteries, and veins to travel from the spine to the arm. When the mechanics of this region become disturbed, symptoms can appear far from where the true problem originates. […]
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and the Confusing Problem of Morning Swelling If you have Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and notice that your hand or arm feels swollen in the morning but improves as the day goes on, you are not imagining it. This pattern is real, it is common, and it follows a clear mechanical explanation. Many […]
