Tag: Thoracic outlet syndrome exercises

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and Its Ayurvedic Management

Abstract

Thoracic outlet syndrome is a group of various disorders or a collection of symptoms associated with shoulder and upper extremity. The symptoms include sensation of numbness, tingling and pain. The thoracic outlet syndrome is a condition in which compression of the arteries, veins and nerves occur in the passage from lower neck to the armpit. Nerve compression is the most common and so are the symptoms of nerve compression. Diagnosis and identification of thoracic outlet syndrome is a tough and complex thing. Early diagnosis is essential to prevent worsening of the condition. In the following text, we shall discuss some details of thoracic outlet syndrome and its management.

Introduction

Thoracic outlet syndrome is term used for the space present in between the upper chest and lower neck where the group of nerves and blood vessels is found. Thoracic outlet syndrome is a group of disorders that are related to the compression of the nerves and blood vessels of the area present in the upper chest and the lower neck. In Ayurveda, thoracic outlet syndrome can be correlated according to the symptoms with vata, kapha dosha vitiation. The formation of aam by vitiation of kapha dosha is also considered to cause thoracic outlet syndrome. Therefore the ayurvedic management is based on the pacification of vata dosha.

thoracic outlet syndrome

Causes

  • Aetiology is not well understood.
  • But the compression of the nerves and blood vessels is the only known cause.
  • Extra first rib
  • Fracture of the clavicle (collarbone)
  • Soft tissue and bone abnormalities are another cause of thoracic outlet syndrome.
  • Obesity can cause thoracic outlet syndrome as the extra fat can compress nerves and blood vessels.
  • Repetitive arm and shoulder movements
  • Whiplash injury

Risk Factors

  • Tumours or enlarged lymph nodes in the underarm and upper chest.
  • Depression and stress
  • Repetitive injuries of clavicle due to heavy weight lifting
  • Poor posture
  • Sleep disorders

Types of thoracic outlet syndrome

1. Neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome

It occurs due to compression of the nerves that passes from neck to the arms (brachial plexus). more than 91 % of cases are of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome.

2. Venous thoracic outlet syndrome

It occurs due to compression of the vein. It usually leads to thrombosis of the upper body. There are 5% cases of thoracic outlet syndrome.

3. Arterial thoracic outlet syndrome

It occurs due to compression of the artery. There are a few cases of arterial thoracic outlet syndrome.

Arterial and venous syndromes together are known as vascular thoracic outlet syndrome.

Symptoms

  • Weakness in the shoulder and arm
  • Tingling sensation in the fingers
  • Discomfort in the shoulder, arms and fingers
  • Early tiring of the arm
  • Pain is felt in the shoulder and arm
  • Atrophy of the thumb pad is a rare symptom
  • Painful and tingling sensation in the arm and hand.
  • Blueness of the arm and hand
  • Prominence of veins in the neck, shoulder and hand.
  • Swelling can be found in the hand, arm and fingers.
  • Pale and cold hand
  • Pain in the extremity mainly during overhead activity of the arm
  • Subclavian artery aneurysm

Diagnosis and Evaluation

  • Complete medical history is essential
  • Physical manoeuvres to stimulate symptoms
  • Nerve conduction tests
  • Duplex ultrasound to rule to stenosis or blockage of blood vessels
  • Chest X-Ray to look out for any bony deformity
  • Cervical spine X-Ray is helpful in ruling out any deformity related to cervical spine
  • CT scan and MRI is of help
  • Brachial plexus block

Management

1. Physical therapy

It is the most initial and common treatment of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome. It helps in increasing the range of motion of the shoulders and neck. It helps in strengthening muscles. It improves posture.

2. Medications

Analgesics like paracetamol, aspirin, ibuprofen etc are used to alleviate pain. Anticoagulants and thrombolytic medications are used in the venous thoracic outlet syndrome

3. Surgery

Surgery is indicated in severe cases to correct the compressions.

Risks involved in surgical intervention

  1. Bleeding due to accidental injury to the major blood vessel.
  2. Pneumothorax that is also known as collapsed lung.
  3. Nerve injuries are the most common risk in extensive surgical procedures.

Ayurvedic Management

All the symptoms associated with thoracic outlet syndrome are well correlated with vata and kapha dushti. Therefore, the treatment protocol depends on the pacification of these vitiated dosha. There are various herbs like methi (Trigonella foenumgraecum), shunthi (Zingiber officianale) etc which pacify the vata and kapha dosha.

Herbal Remedies for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome by Planet Ayurveda

Planet Ayurveda is a well known GMP certified, ISO 9001:2015 certified and US-FDA registered Ayurvedic Company, which adhered to the aim of manufacturing quality Ayurvedic products as mentioned in the various ancient texts of Ayurveda. formulations are manufactured without additives and preservatives and other kinds of chemicals or artificial flavouring agents which causes a number of side effects on the human body. Products prepared at Planet Ayurveda are pure and do not contain any kind of adulteration. The products are purely organic and vegetarian and gluten free. Planet Ayurveda presents its products which are beneficial in muscular and bone health. Further there are many other products which have analgesic and healing properties, which make them efficient in curing Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.

Following is the list of products that are great in managing thoracic outlet Syndrome

  1. Yograj Guggul
  2. Boswellia Curcumin
  3. Aamvatantak churna
  4. Vrihat Vatchintamani Ras
  5. Bone Support
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Herbal Remedies for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Product Description

1. Yograj Guggul

Yograj Guggul is a classical ayurvedic proprietary medicine. It is a helpful formulation in the musculoskeletal system and neurological system’s disorders. It contains the herbs amalaki (Emblica officinalis), guggul (Commiphora mukul), haritaki (Terminalia chebula), ela (Elettaria cardamomum), vidang (Embelia ribes), gokshur (Tribulus terrestris), shunthi (Zingiber officinale),  bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica) etc. The herbs of the formulation possess properties that enhance muscle and nerve health. By its nerve strengthening property Yograj Guggul is best to treat the neurological thoracic outlet syndrome.

Dosage : Two tablets twice a day with lukewarm water after meals.

2. Boswellia Curcumin

Boswellia Curcumin capsules are enriched with the goodness of shallaki (Boswellia aristata) and haridra (Curcuma longa). The herbs have healing properties and also possess analgesic effects which makes it an efficient formulation in the thoracic outlet syndrome.

Dosage :  Two capsules twice a day with lukewarm water after meals.

3. Aamvatantak Churna

Aamvatantak Churna is known to pacify kapha and vata doshas, which are behind the thoracic outlet syndrome. The product contains ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), suranjaan (Colchicum autumnale), haridra (Curcuma longa), methi (Trigonella foenumgraecum), gorakhmundi (Sphaeranthus indicus) and sonth (Zingiber officinale). Aamvatantak Churna clears aam and relieves the patient from stiffness and eases motion of the limb. Furthermore, it alleviates pain and other symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome.

Dosage : -One tsp twice a day with warm water after a meal.

4. Vrihat Vatchintamani Ras

Vrihat Vatchintamani Ras is a mineral formulation. The formulation contains Rajata Bhasma (silver calx), Swarna Bhasma (gold calx), Loha Bhasma (iron ash), Abhrak Bhasma (mica ash), Suta Bhasma (compound of purified mercury and purified sulphur), Mukta Bhasma (pearl calx) and Pravala Bhasma (coral calcium). It also contains juice extract of Aloe vera. It is beneficial in demyelination conditions of nerves. It is useful in neuropathies. It corrects neuritis. It is helpful in thoracic outlet syndrome as it relieves numbness, pain and motor dysfunction.

Dosage : One tablet twice a day with lukewarm water after meals.

5. Bone Support

As the name of ‘Bone Support’ suggests it supports the bone by supplying all the required material to the bone. Its ingredients include  laksha (Laccifer lacca), shobhanjan beej (Moringa oleifera), Asthi Shrinkhala (Cissus quadrangularis),   Mukta (pearl calcium), praval pishti (Corallium rubrum) and Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna). Moringa oleifera possesses anti inflammatory, analgesic and vidhradhi pachan (healing of abscess). Ingredients are beneficial in bone disorders. Cissus quadrangularis is helpful in bone health. It is a beneficial herb for healing fractures. It possesses sandhaniya property which means adhesion, hence it adhesives the fractured bones. In addition to this, it relieves fracture pain and heals swelling due to fracture. Thus it is a beneficial herb in the fractures. Arjuna has vranropan property which means wound healer. It too helps in adhesion of fracture bones. Praval pishti and mukta are natural supplements of calcium which are derived from the pearls, corals etc. thus are beneficial in early healing or adhesion of the fractured bone. Thus Bone Support has a magnificent healing and analgesic effect. Therefore it manages the bone health in the fracture or bone abnormality generated thoracic outlet syndrome.

Dosage :  One capsule twice a day after meals with plain water.

Contact Planet Ayurveda to provide you the costing / ordering and delivery information at – costing.planetayurveda@gmail.com or call at +91-172-5214030 Or Check Website – www.PlanetAyurveda.com

Conclusion

As we discussed Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, we have come to know that it is a bundle of disorders that arise due to compression of nerves and blood vessels. And as per Ayurveda, the syndrome is due to kapha and vata dosha vitiation. As in the contemporary system of medicine, there are drugs that help in alleviating symptoms but do not properly cure the syndrome and in the end, surgery is the last option that remains, which further is full of risks. Whereas, Ayurveda has promising results which suggests proper management of the condition with no risk and side effects involved. Planet Ayurveda’s above mentioned products heals the condition, alleviates the symptoms and increases range of motion of the affected side. By adopting Ayurveda, one can assure oneself about his proper wellbeing to be returned with a healthy body and mind.

Natural Cure For Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

ABSTRACT

TOS or Thoracic outlet syndrome consist of a group of disorders in which the nerves or blood vessels in between the space of the collarbone and first rib are compressed. This syndrome results in pain in the neck, shoulder and numbness in the fingers. Various causes like trauma (physical) from repetitive injuries, accident, certain anatomical anomalies like an extra rib, sports related injuries and pregnancy can result in TOS. However in some cases even the cause may remain unknown. You can get all the information about this syndrome from this article in detail and also learn about the herbal treatment of TOS.

thoracic outlet syndrome

INTRODUCTION TO THORACIC OUTLET SYNDROME

Thoracic outlet syndrome is a disorder presented by pain, tingling, numbness and weakness in the arm. This occurs due to compression of the nerves and blood vessels in the neck which goes to the arm resulting in complaints. TOS is a group of disorders and there can be three of its type depending on the compressed structure, i.e. Neurogenic TOS where there occurs compression of nerve and it comprises of about 95% of total TOS, Venous TOS in which main vein is compressed comprising 4% of total TOS cases and least is Arterial TOS where occurs compression of main artery comprising of 1% of total cases of TOS. Each of these TOS are different from each other in a broader perspective.

AYURVEDIC ASPECT OF THORACIC OUTLET SYNDROME

As per Ayurvedic concept, TOS is caused due to the vitiation of Vata dosha. It is a vicious cycle of Vata dosha aggravation where the symptoms arise due to Vata vitiation; it may be due to any of the previously discussed causes, further these symptoms aggravate more Vata which results in continuity of the symptoms.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF THORACIC OUTLET SYNDROME

As already discussed, TOS is of 3 types and signs and symptoms also differ as per the structure being compressed. Hence first the signs and symptoms in neurogenic TOS are:

  • Tingling or numbness in fingers and arms
  • Aches or pain in shoulder, neck, hand or arm
  • Grip weakens

Signs and symptoms in Venous thoracic outlet syndrome:

  • Pain and swelling in arm
  • Bluish discoloration of hand
  • There can be a blood clot in the upper body area
  • Activity causes fatigue or arm
  • Discoloration or paleness in one or more fingers of hand
  • Near collarbone there is a throbbing lump

Signs and symptoms of Arterial Thoracic outlet syndrome:

  • Hands, arms or fingers become cold
  • Pain in arm and hand
  • Bluish discoloration or paleness in one or more fingers in hand
  • Absence of pulse or weak pulse in affected arm

CAUSES OF THORACIC OUTLET SYNDROME

TOS is caused due to the compression of nerves, or blood vessels under the collarbone in the thoracic outlet. This compression can be caused due to various reasons like:

  • Inherited anatomical anomalies which are present at birth like presence of an extra rib or an abnormal tightness in the band connecting rib to spine.
  • Bad postures like holding the head in a forward position or drooping of shoulders can result in compression in the TOA.
  • A trauma causing compression of the nerves in thoracic outlet like car accident resulting in internal changes. Symptoms in such cases often appear after a lot of time.

DIAGNOSIS OF THORACIC OUTLET SYNDROME

In TOS or Thoracic outlet syndrome, making a diagnosis can be a difficult task as the symptoms and the severity of symptoms may vary a lot in different people suffering from it. First of all the clinical history and physical examination will be done which will make your doctor suspect the syndrome which is further confirmed by MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging), X-ray, Ultrasound, and CT scan.

TREATMENT OF THORACIC OUTLET SYNDROME

Conventional treatment of thoracic outlet syndrome generally involves physical therapies which include exercises to strengthen the muscles of the thoracic outlet, secondly medications are given to relieve the inflammation and pain, certain other medications can also be involved. Clot dissolving medicines are given and further surgery can be recommended if conservative treatment doesn’t work.

AYURVEDIC TREATMENT OF THORACIC OUTLET SYNDROME

As TOS is caused due to the aggravation of the Vata dosha, hence the Ayurvedic treatment will aim on bringing Vata dosha back in balance and pacifying it through various herbs and herbal remedies present in nature.

HERBAL REMEDIES BY PLANET AYURVEDA FOR THORACIC OUTLET SYNDROME

Planet Ayurveda has been serving the suffering humanity for almost two decades now. All the herbal remedies and products manufactured here are prepared under strict supervision of experienced MD Ayurveda doctors following the genuine Ayurvedic principles. These remedies are free from any kind of chemicals, additives, colors, dye, preservatives, fillers or yeast which make them more effective and safe than other similar products in markets. For Thoracic outlet syndrome, Planet Ayurveda offers a combination of herbal remedies that help in treating it naturally.

Products List:

  1. Yograj Guggul
  2. Boswellia Curcumin
  3. Aamvatantak Churna
  4. Vrihat Vatchintamani Ras
  5. Bone Support

Thoracic-Outlet-SyndromeHerbal Supplements for Migraine

Products Description

1. Yograj Guggul

Yograj guggul is combination of numerous herbs like Ela (Elettaria cardamomum), Pippali (Piper longum),  (Plumbago zeylanica), Devdaru (Cedrus deodara), guggul (Commiphora mukul), Jeeraka (Cuminum cyminum), Mustaka (Citrus rotundus), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Ardraka (Zingiber officinale) etc. In TOS, these tablets help in treating muscle pain and soreness.

Dosage– Take 2 tablets twice daily after meals with plain water.

2. Boswellia Curcumin

Boswellia curcumin capsules are known as natural pain killers. These capsules also help in enhancing the muscle strength, prevent and treat muscle injury and relieve the muscle pain. It is prepared using the extract of Shallaki (Boswellia serrata) and Haridra (Curcuma longa) in standardized form.

Dosage– Take 2 capsules twice daily after meals with plain water.

3. Aamvatantak Churna

This herbal formulation contains various medicinal herbs like Sonth (Zingiber officinale), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Haridra (Curcuma longa), Gorakhmundi (Sphaeranthus indicus), etc. Aamvatantak churna consists of medicinal properties like anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antioxidant which give relief from pain and swelling present in the neck, arms and hands. This churna also balances the Vata dosha which is the main culprit of TOS.

Dosage- Take 1 teaspoon twice daily after  meals with warm water.

4. Vrihat Vatchintamani Ras

Vrihat Vatchintamani ras tablet is prepared from using various bhasmas like Swarna bhasma (Calx of gold), Loh bhasma (Calx of iron), Rajata bhasma (Calx of silver), etc. As TOS is caused due to imbalance of Vata dosha, these tablets help in pacifying the Vata dosha and restoring its balance. This annihilates the disorder from its root cause.

Dosage– Chew 1 tablet twice daily after meals.

5. Bone Support

These multi component capsules are prepared using herbs like Suhanjana beej (Moringa oleifera), Shudh laksha (Laccifer lacca), Arjun (Terminalia arjuna), Hadjod (Cissus quadrangularis), Mukta (Compound of pearl calcium) and Praval pishti (Corallium rubrum). As the name suggests, Bone support capsules help in maintaining the health of bones and prevent injuries to them as well as underlying structures.

Dosage- Take 1 capsule twice daily after meals with plain water.

CONCLUSION

TOS can be really troubling and one should smartly choose the mode of treatment. The herbal remedies mentioned can help in rooting out the disease and help in maintenance of overall health as well. In case of any query kindly visit www.PlanetAyurveda.com. For more queries, you can send your queries to our email id herbalremedies123@yahoo.com