About Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Thoracic outlet syndrome can cause arm numbness, tingling, or heaviness when the nerves or blood vessels are compressed between the neck, ribs, and shoulder. Physical therapy improves rib and thoracic mobility and builds scapular and postural strength to reduce compression. The goal is comfortable overhead use and normal arm sensation.
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.
