Thoracic outlet syndrome - often confused with Carpal Tunnel syndrome

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)