Thoracic outlet syndrome - often confused with Carpal Tunnel syndrome

Friday, March 14th, 2008 | Deep Tissue, Featured, Massage, Myofascial Release, healthly living, injury treatment

symptoms:
1. hands go numb in the pinky, ring and half of middle fingers
2. “fat” or full tight feeling in the forearm
3. in severe cases - whole arm is swollen and numb and some poor fucker needs to visit the ER

often confused with:
Carpal tunnel syndrome - the symptoms of which are primarily in the hand proper and numbness usually in the thumb, index middle finger and palm.

THe difference between these two sydromes is this:
carpal tunnel syndrome is IN the carpel tunnel - ie - too much scar tissue in the space just proximal to the *wrist* - often due to too much masturbation, video game playing and computer/mouse use

Thoracic outlet syndrome is the impingement of the ulnar nerve at the *shoulder area*, clavical or (sometimes but not often) the neck muscles where the brachial plexus comes out or at misalignment at the cervical vertebral bones.

Often Doctors are stupid.

They operate in the wrist for something that’s all fucked up in the shoulder.

Regardless of which disorder you may have - don’t trust your doctor unless your doctor tells you to get massage therapy treatment for either one. They are both better treated with massage than surgery.

Funny thing I’ve found…
People often have a bit of both and mostly… people have the shoulder issues and symptoms in the hands.

Key areas to massage in the case of Thoracic outlet: rotator cuff, arm, neck and chest
Best stretch: door stretch (a chest opening stretch)

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Sierra Kennedy, LMP

Sierra Faye Kennedy I believe you are the authority of your own body. So when you come to my office, I meet you as you are. It’s a busy world, and staying on top means we must first take care of our bodies.

Type of massage provided: In-office or Home Visits available. Deep Tissue, Injury treatment, Neuromuscular Technique, Structural Integration, Swedish, Heated Stone Massage, Bindegewebs or “Connective Tissue Massage”, Myofascial Release, Cranio-sacral biodynamic technique, Reiki, Deep Muscle Therapy, Trager

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Office Location: 216 Broadway Ave. E. #202, Seattle, WA 98102
Phone Number: 206-465-6344
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Eric Koszyk From Eric Koszyk. Wow! What can I say? Sierra is a truly gifted person and therapist. She is very knowledgeable and passionate about massage. It helps that she is extremely intuitive and a very caring human being. Her space on Broadway is very warm, comforting and inviting.

As a fellow massage therapist, I highly recommend her, especially if you are looking for extensive deep tissue work which she is amazing at. You will leave her place wiser; her treatments will change your life.

Joe Shirley From Joe Shirley I still remember the first massage I got from Sierra over six months ago. My neck was chronically bugging me, and my carpal tunnel thing was acting up. She asked my permission to go for it. I said yes. It hurt. She told me to trust her, and I did. And both my neck and wrist felt great afterwards. She went right through that crap and out the other side. Amazing.

Matt HansonFrom Matt Hanson Sierra is fantastic! I felt she was really attentive to the needs I expressed about my upper-back and shoulders. I was really impressed that she could identify other problems spots quickly and how they positively affected those areas that were bothering me most. I have had several massages and she has the strength and understanding to do a incredible job.

Dennis DildayFrom Dennis Dilday I’ve had close to a hundred massages from more than a dozen different therapists and I can say Sierra’s are unique and wonderful. She relates and interacts with the layers of facia in a way others can’t. While determined to get a response from the tissues, Sierra is also tuned into her patient and keeps the experience pleasant and interesting. Clinically, she’s both confident and competent.

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