Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Numbness, tingling, or a heavy, tired feeling runs into your arm and hand, sometimes worse with your arms overhead or after carrying a bag too long. It can be confusing because it doesn't 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 crowding that space and causing the arm symptoms.
What makes it worse
It often gets worse with overhead work, carrying heavy bags or a loaded backpack, and postures that round the shoulders forward, like long stretches at a keyboard. Symptoms often build over the course of an activity.
How PNMT helps
Your therapist uses your history and specific tests to judge whether muscles are crowding the outlet and causing your symptoms. If they are, precise work on the scalenes, subclavius, and pectoralis minor aims to ease the compression, with your feedback confirming the source. Deep pressure could aggravate it, so the work stays specific. If testing points to significant nerve or blood vessel 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 down, depending on what's being tested and treated. Your arm and hand symptoms are rechecked each visit so you can both see whether they're changing. Plan on a few sessions to find out whether muscle is a 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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Get help for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Book a New Client Session. Your therapists will find the source of your pain and build a treatment plan for you.
75-minute first visit. Two therapists assess and one treats. Every follow-up is one-on-one with your therapist.
The whole Somavida team stands behind your treatment plan.