| Last Updated August 04, 2005 |
My TOS :
I have been receiving chiropractic treatment for TOS for about 1 month now. I started noticing symptoms, numbness and tingling in my right hand, about 2 years ago. I am a professional musician/music teacher (sax, flute, clarinet, oboe), so this really concerned me. I went to the chiro as soon as I noticed it affecting my ability to play the instruments. After describing my symptoms to her, the chiro immediately diagnosed TOS, and started me on a treatment program of electrical stimulation, ultrasonic massage, trigger point therapy, and adjustment. I have noticed much improvement, although the symptoms are not gone completely. My chiro told me that this is a common malady for people in my profession, due to extended periods of holding the arms in the same position and long periods of sitting. Apparently, the 2 biggest culprits are playing flute (arms up in the air and to the side), and saxophone (the neckstrap pulling down on the neck, so I'm now using a harness type sling instead.) I have practiced yoga for many years, and my chiro seems to think that has made my symptoms less noticeable to me, as she is surprised that I'm not experiencing more pain, whereas my biggest complaint has really been the numbness and tingling, along with the occasional sharp chest pain, which my family physician had told me (after tests for heart problems) was just stress. And with the treatment I've been receiving, the chest pains have stopped completely. I'm sure the unknown origin of the chest pains were causing some stress! After reading some of the posts here, I have learned much about the debilitating symptoms that TOS can cause. I feel very fortunate to have a chiro who knew immediately what was wrong. I don't have much faith in family physicians, as they seem to be too willing to write a prescription rather than take the time to investigate further.
Chiropractor - Lori Foster, Bourbonnais, IL