Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Numbness, tingling, or a heavy fatigued feeling runs into your arm and hand, sometimes worse when your arms are overhead or you have carried a bag too long. The pattern can be confusing because it does not stay in one spot.
What it is
Thoracic outlet syndrome is compression of the nerves or blood vessels in the narrow space between your collarbone and first rib. When muscle is part of it, the scalenes in the neck and the pectoralis minor across the front of the chest are often the structures crowding that space and producing the arm symptoms.
What makes it worse
It commonly worsens with overhead work, carrying heavy bags or a loaded backpack, and sustained postures that round the shoulders forward, like long stretches at a keyboard. Symptoms often build over the course of an activity rather than starting all at once.
How PNMT helps
Your therapist uses your history and provocative tests to judge whether muscles are crowding the outlet and reproducing your symptoms. If they are, precise work on the scalenes, subclavius, and pectoralis minor aims to ease the compression (specificity, not deep pressure that could aggravate it) with your feedback confirming the source. If testing points to significant nerve or vascular compression beyond muscle, your therapist will refer you for medical evaluation.
What to expect & how long
Sessions may be done fully clothed, seated or lying, depending on what is being tested and treated. Your arm and hand symptoms are reassessed each visit so you and your therapist can see whether the picture is shifting. Plan on a few sessions to gauge whether muscle is the contributor before expecting steady change.
What clients say
Sarah is amazing! She is both kind and great at helping to resolve chronic pain. My TMJ has improved so much with her care.
I've been going to soma vida for around 4-5 years. I think at this point for neuromuscular therapy. My coworker recommended it for my back pain. I mostly make appts with Yu, but I think I've had appts with everyone there atleast once. The treatment can be painful but I always come out feeling so light and so much better than before. I've had chronic neck pain from my desk job and other pain in areas that is only fixed by whatever they do here. They truly care about you and want to make sure you leave feeling better.
I've been going to Somavida for years because they are the only place I've found with the right combination of expertise and ability to eliminate pain when I have muscle pulls or strains, and help me stay “tuned up” to avoid future injuries. I spend most of my time working behind a desk and Somavida is a critical part of helping me stay healthy and out of injury from my strained neck and back. I personally work with Yu Suzuki and she is phenomenal. Truly a “pain detective” that has helped me find the root issue with muscle problems countless times. This is a place to come and heal and avoid future injury without medication or judgment. Can’t recommend Somavida enough!!!
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Ready to Address Your Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?
Book a New Client Session and your therapist will identify the source of your pain, then create a tailored treatment plan.
75-minute first visit. Two therapists assess, one treats; every follow-up is one-on-one with your therapist.
Your care isn't shaped by one therapist, the whole Somavida team is behind your treatment plan.