Why Surgery Seemed Like the Only Answer Many people with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome are told that surgery will “fix the compression.” They hear that a surgeon will remove a rib or cut a scalene muscle and the tunnel will finally open. When symptoms are painful or scary, it’s easy to believe this is the only […]
Why Vein Compression Matters in Thoracic Outlet Problems When the space around the outlet becomes tight, the subclavian vein can narrow. Blood flow slows, pressure builds, and a clot can form. This is called Paget-Schroetter Syndrome, and it often appears in people who use their arms with force or repetition. A clot does not appear […]
Many patients believe that surgery will eliminate 100% of their pain. But what happens when it doesn’t? When you undergo surgery and find you’re still in pain afterwards, your doctor may prescribe opioid painkillers to help you get through recovery. At first, they seem like a miracle – taking away that sharp, relentless pain. But […]
Most patients believe surgery will eliminate their pain completely. But here’s the truth many doctors won’t tell you: ➡️ Surgeons who perform TOS surgery do not expect patients to be completely pain-free afterwards. They expect improvement – reduction in compression, better blood flow, and functional gains. But full elimination of pain is rare, and if […]
A patient recently contacted me for treatment after the symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome returned following the surgery he had a year ago. Before he flew out to Chicago I asked him to send me a copy of his surgeons report. That was because the incision for his surgery was inferior to the clavicle and […]
In my clinical experience, one of the most misunderstood drivers of chronic neck pain, chronic shoulder pain, and the persistent patterns often mistaken for structural problems is the righting reflex. This reflex is the automatic neurological mechanism the body uses to keep the head level with the horizon. When posture repeatedly triggers this reflex, individuals […]
