Does anyone know about getting injections to help with thoracic outlet syndrome?

Question

I have been diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome and am in a great deal of pain. I can't take any more of it. The neurologist saw me today and wants to do an injection of lanacane Thursday but will this work? I can't find anything about it online. I need some advice.

Answer 1

Did he say where he was going to do the injection? Many times when injections are given it is a combination of an analgesic (numbing) and an anti-inflammatory such as steroids. An epidural injection is also an option which is more directed at the nerve.

There are many causes of thoracic outlet syndrome so all of the possible causes need to be examined and then treated if appropriate. Have you been referred to a physical therapist? If not I would ask your doctor to do so. I have treated many cases of TOS and have also diagnosed many cases that were previously diagnosed by doctors as shoulder or neck pain.

Answer 2

The shots can help but they do not fix the problem.
See a chiropractor and massage therapist.

Much pain is from muscles below is an example of what may help (based on headaches).
Begin with a couple swigs of molasses or a couple of bananas daily - magnesium (which regulates many things in the body) and potassium (a needed building block for muscles).
Drink at least 1/2 gallons of water per day. Running a body low on water is like running a car low on oil is the analogy the head of neurology at UCDavis told my husband about 10 years ago.

Now to the cause - muscles - your back, neck shoulders and head have tender spots. They are knots in the fibers of the muscles called trigger points. It makes the muscles tight which makes them press on nerves and other things causing the pain.

The cure - start with a professional massage, you will also want to go back over any place you can get to 6-12 times per session up to 6 times per day rubbing (or lightly scratching on your head) every where that is tender until the knots go away. The place where the skull connects to the spine press up under the edge of the skull (to get to those muscles).

For more information read The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Davies. It teaches what to do and where the pain comes from.