THORACIC OUTLET SYNDROME (TOS)

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS)

Before delving into our innovative therapy treatment solution for Thoracic Outlet Syndrom, it’s essential for you to grasp the complexities of this debilitating condition. This comprehensive document aims to address any questions or concerns you may have regarding our highly effective non-surgical therapy treatment solution.

Our solution for Thoracic Outlet syndrome has seen a success rate of over 90% due to our innovative therapy treatment protocol developed over the past 12 years using a combination of the best technologies in the world to release and regenerate damaged nerves.

Section 1: Understanding The Complexities of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Section 2: Understanding Muscular Fascia
Section 3: Myofascial Adhesions: Source of the Problem
Section 4: Causes of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Section 5: Our Treatment Technologies
Section 6: Our Innovative Therapy Treatment Solution
Section 7: Your Next Step

Section 1: Understanding The Complexities of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) is a condition where the nerves, arteries, and veins—collectively known as the neurovascular bundle—become compressed or stretched by damaged muscles and/or ligaments along their pathway from the neck to the upper arm. This interference can occur anywhere along the neurovascular bundle’s journey from its origin in the neck to its destination in the fingers. In Section 4, we will explore the key causes of muscle damage leading to TOS.

Anatomy and Pathway of the Neurovascular Bundle

The neurovascular bundle is a complex system comprising five major peripheral nerves originating from the spinal cord between the fifth cervical vertebra (C5) and the first thoracic vertebra (T1), along with major arteries, veins, and their numerous smaller branches. These nerves, arteries, and veins travel down both sides of the neck, pass beneath the clavicles (collarbone), traverse under the chest muscles, and extend into the arms, eventually terminating in the fingers.

The primary muscles involved in Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) include:

Section 2: Understanding Muscular Fascia

Fascia is an extremely robust yet pliable type of connective tissue, predominantly comprised of collagen and elastin fibers, which intricately envelop and safeguard every living muscle and nerve fiber (cell) within the body’s muscular framework.

While collagen provides the necessary strength to shield and safeguard these sensitive living muscle and nerve cells, elastin confers the unique elastic capability to stretch and contract, permitting the vital stretching/contracting ability every muscle and nerve requires.

The prefix “Myo” pertains to the fascia associated with muscles, deriving from the Greek term for muscle. Remarkably, a single muscle may harbor upwards of 500,000 living muscle cells, each ensconced within a protective fascial covering known as endomysium.

Furthermore, clusters of these fascia-wrapped muscle cells, numbering around 20,000 in each bundle, are encased by another layer of fascia termed epimysium. Finally, the entire muscle ensemble is enveloped by a third type of fascia called perimysium, which confers upon each muscle its distinct shape. At all three levels, fascia serves the fundamental purpose of binding and safeguarding the living muscle cells.

Crucially, muscular fascia boasts excellent blood flow, facilitated by the living muscle cells’ vascular network, which supplies essential nutrients to the collagen and elastin fibers within the fascia. This intricate system ensures that muscular fascia is adept at absorbing the forces exerted upon it when muscles contract or stretch during joint movement, and the work all muscles allow us to accomplish.

Section 3: Myofascial Adhesions—The Source of the Problem

Myofascial adhesions, commonly known as adhesions, manifest as regions of severely hardened and adhered fascial fibers amidst otherwise healthy elastic fascial tissue.

Their ratio of collagen and elastin changes, resulting in more inflexible collagen fibers and fewer elastic, pliable elastin fibers. The result is a phenomenon where normally straight, healthy muscle fibers see an influx of new collagen fibers that twist and bind other fibers together like glue, forming an intricate weave of cross-bridged collagen fibers, effectively changing the muscle’s tissue structure.

These adhered fascial fibers form an intricate weave of dysfunctional, inelastic, fibrotic, and ischemic bands or large regions within the muscle’s fascial connective tissue layers and even throughout the entire muscle. The term adhesion (adhesive), commonly associated with glue, aptly describes this phenomenon.

Adhesions typically form in the fascial tissue layers due to excessive and repetitive strain activity on its muscular fibers. The adhering and cross-bridged collagen fiber influx is the body’s unique method of protecting the living muscle cellular structures it encompasses from experiencing damage, as living muscle cells can die, resulting in muscle wasting and atrophy.

The result of all this hardening, gluing, twisting, and deformation of a muscle causes:

•  The entire muscle to shorten, severely crushing free nerve endings within the muscle, resulting in localized pain.
• Decreased healthy oxygen flow into the muscle, causing pain.
• Decreased outflow of metabolic waste, causing pain.
• The entire muscle to shorten, crushing underlying nerves, arteries, and veins (thoracic outlet syndrome).

Adhesions: Understanding the Consequences of Overstrain

Muscles are marvels of biomechanical engineering, capable of generating significant force to facilitate the myriad activities of daily life. However, this remarkable capacity comes with a caveat: muscles require time to recuperate from the stresses placed upon their fascial network, which serves as vital protectors of the living muscle cells. Given adequate time, fascia can indeed heal from the strains induced by vigorous work activity. The crux of the issue lies in the time factor; frequently, we fail to afford our muscles and their fascia the necessary recovery period amidst the demands of daily living.

Fortunately, the human body possesses an innate resilience, designed to safeguard every living muscle cell under duress. When myofascial tissue is deprived of sufficient recovery time, the body initiates a compensatory mechanism, generating new collagen fibers that intertwine individual fascial fibers in a cross-bridged pattern. Analogous to the reinforcement of a rope, wherein a thicker cord is inherently stronger, this process fortifies the fascial network by binding individual muscle cells and their fascial coverings together, thereby enhancing overall structural integrity.

These cross-bridged collagen fibers effectively act as natural adhesives, binding groups of individual fascial fibers together to form a cohesive, robust unit, thus shielding the strained fibers from further damage. The term “adhesion (adhesive),” commonly associated with glue, aptly describes this phenomenon, wherein fascial fibers become bound together, reinforcing the tissue against the rigors of overexertion.

Consequences of Adhesion Formation & Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

The formation of adhesions initiates a cascade of consequences, as these fibrous connections begin to compress the arteries, veins, and free nerve endings within the layers of fascia surrounding muscles and the neurovascular bundle that lies beneath.

Consequently, a persistent low-grade pain manifests whenever muscles ensnared by adhered fascia are engaged. Moreover, these adhesions have the propensity to shorten certain bands of fascial fibers, exacerbating discomfort upon contraction or stretching of the affected muscles.

With thoracic outlet syndrome, the genesis of repetitive strain adhesion formation can be attributed to a myriad of activities, including:

Section 4: Causes of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

The scalene, pectoral, and subclavius muscles and their related fascia are the known causes of all forms of thoracic outlet syndrome. What is not commonly known is that these muscles develop damaged, adhered fibers (adhesions) for various reasons.

We have seen and treated thousands of people who suffer from thoracic outlet syndrome and have compiled a list of all root causes we have encountered during our detailed consultations. We have treated patients whose thoracic outlet syndrome has been caused by the following:

• Posture issues: Prolonged forward head posture, rounded shoulders, and poor sitting or standing posture can lead to muscle imbalances, overstrain, and adhesions in the neck, chest, and shoulder muscles, which compress the neurovascular bundle.
• Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs): Frequent, repetitive activities such as typing, writing, lifting, or overhead work can lead to muscular overstrain, adhesions, and subsequent TOS development.
• Trauma: Whiplash injuries, fractures, or other traumatic events involving the neck, shoulder, or upper chest can damage the muscles, leading to adhesions and TOS.
• Sports injuries: Certain sports that involve repetitive arm movements, such as swimming, baseball, or weightlifting, can overstrain the muscles and cause adhesions, leading to TOS.
• Genetic predisposition: Some individuals may have anatomical variations, such as an extra cervical rib, which can increase the likelihood of developing TOS.
• Obesity: Excess body weight can strain the muscles, leading to posture issues and increased risk of developing TOS.
• Pregnancy: Hormonal changes and weight gain during pregnancy can contribute to postural changes and muscle imbalances, potentially leading to TOS.
• Emotional stress: Chronic stress can lead to muscle tension and tightness, increasing the risk of adhesions and TOS.
• Poor ergonomics: Inadequate workstation setup, including incorrect chair height, desk positioning, and monitor placement, can contribute to poor posture, muscle strain, and TOS.
• Age-related changes: Natural aging processes can lead to muscle weakness, reduced flexibility, and increased risk of developing adhesions and TOS.

Section 5: Our Treatment Technologies

At Innovative Therapy Canada, we employ advanced technologies to diagnose and treat thoracic outlet syndrome. Our approach is rooted in a comprehensive understanding of the condition, focusing on restoring the affected muscles and their fascia to their healthy, elastic state. Our treatment technologies include:

• Ultrasound Therapy: We use high-frequency sound waves to penetrate deep into the muscle tissues, breaking down adhesions and promoting blood flow to the affected areas.
• Laser Therapy: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is used to reduce inflammation, pain, and muscle stiffness, enhancing the healing process.
• Electrical Stimulation: We use transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to stimulate the nerves and muscles, reducing pain and promoting muscle relaxation.
• Manual Therapy: Our skilled therapists use hands-on techniques to manipulate and stretch the muscles and fascia, breaking down adhesions and restoring mobility.
• Exercise Therapy: We prescribe specific exercises to strengthen the affected muscles, improve posture, and prevent the recurrence of TOS.

Section 6: Our Innovative Therapy Treatment Solution

Innovative Therapy Canada has developed a unique, non-surgical therapy treatment solution for thoracic outlet syndrome. Our approach is based on the latest scientific research and years of clinical experience in treating thousands of patients with TOS.
Our treatment solution is designed to address the root causes of TOS, including muscle imbalances, adhesions, and poor posture. We use a combination of advanced technologies, manual therapy, and exercise therapy to restore the affected muscles and their fascia to their healthy, elastic state.
 

Section 7: Your Next Step

If you are experiencing symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome, it is crucial to seek treatment as soon as possible to prevent permanent damage to your nerves and blood vessels. At Innovative Therapy Canada, we are committed to helping you achieve a full recovery and return to your normal activities.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about our innovative therapy treatment solution for thoracic outlet syndrome.