Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Specialists Eugene
Arm tingling or heaviness from nerve or vessel compression. PT improves rib mobility and scapular strength for relief.
About Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Thoracic outlet syndrome can cause arm numbness, tingling, or heaviness when nerves or blood vessels are compressed near the neck and shoulder. Physical therapy improves mobility and scapular strength to reduce compression and restore normal arm use.
Expected Recovery Window
Typical: 6–12 weeks. Persistent or complex cases: 12–20 weeks. Progress depends on posture tolerance and symptom irritability.
Common Symptoms
Numbness or tingling into the arm or hand; heaviness or fatigue with overhead activity; neck and shoulder tightness; symptoms provoked by lifting the arm or carrying loads; occasional hand swelling or temperature changes in vascular cases.
Common Causes
Posture with rounded shoulders and forward head position; tight scalene and pectoralis minor muscles narrowing the outlet; repetitive overhead activity; heavy backpack or load carriage; anatomical variations such as a cervical rib; post-injury swelling or scar tissue.
How We Treat Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
We identify whether symptoms are neurogenic, vascular, or mixed and rule out cervical radiculopathy drivers. Treatment focuses on rib and thoracic mobility, postural and breathing mechanics, and progressive strengthening of the scapular stabilisers to open the thoracic outlet and improve nerve and vessel tolerance.
