Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Have you ever experienced shoulder and neck pain, upper limb numbness and muscle weakness? These are the symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome.

The nerves that supply our upper extremities originate from the cervical spine and extend to the arms. In this path, it passes through a narrow space between the anterior and middle scalene muscles, between the clavicle and the first rib, and behind the pectoralis minor to the arm. If any of these spaces become narrow, the nerves or blood vessels that pass through them can be compressed, creating numbness and muscle weakness in the upper extremities. Swelling of shoulder and neck muscles caused by poor posture, rounded shoulders, etc. can narrow the spaces of this path, causing thoracic outlet syndrome.

If you want to know more about the causes, prevention, and the treatment options for thoracic outlet syndrome, please tune in to Jenny Hong A1 Chinese Channel at 1:00 pm on Monday (February 7), our registered physiotherapist Elli will be answering all your questions about thoracic outlet syndrome!