Releasing nerve compression

[MissTriggs]

Hello everybody, does anyone else have referred hand, foot, arm or leg symptoms originating in the back? I have something called thoraric outlet syndrome which is making daily life very limited at the moment. I am not sure how to strike the right balance between not aggravating the nerves further whilst also trying to mobilize my thoracic spine

get thee to a chiropracter! That's what I do a few times a year.

Thanks for replying! You're not the first person to suggest that a chiropractor would be good. Insert But the neurologist who diagnosed me said not to go to a chiropractor. He said to go to an osteopath which is what I'm trying now. What does your chiropractor do while you are there?

Well, osteopath or chiro - definitely someone who will do some manipulation.
The woman I see is a fully qualified nurse and chiropracter. First she'll take a bit of history, get me to move this way and that to determine the problem. I am very used to her manipulating my head, neck and back, sticking needles into me, so have no problem relaxing and letting her work on me as needed kneaded Last week she got me lie on my back, I put each hand on the opposite shoulder, then she pushed down, to hear a satisfying crack of things releasing. She then moved my head sharply in such a way that released my neck, which was also stuck somewhat. I then lay on my stomach while she put in a line of acupuncture needles from the base of my skull, along to the outside edge of my shoulder. After she removed those, she massaged the area. I then sat with my back to her while she released a little of the tension in my lower spine which had built up whilst lying on my back. That was a very full-on session, so she then sat me in the waiting room and brought me a cup of tea. She'd do maybe a quarter of all that on someone on their first session, tho, I reckon. She's also very good at saying, hmm, this is serious, go push your GP for an MRI of that.
If you go to a good, well established practice, tell them what your problem is, ask which one of their team specialises in that sort of problem, then they will be able to advise.
GL