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TOS Symptoms After an Auto Collision

TOS Symptoms After an Auto Collision - El Paso Chiropractor


Thoracic outlet syndrome, or TOS, is a medical term used to describe a group of disorders which frequently occur when the nerves or blood vessels in the space between the collarbone and the first rib, known as the thoracic outlet, become compressed. The thoracic outlet is normally narrow where the important bundles of nerves and blood vessels that travel through it fit very tightly. When an injury to the neck causes inflammation of the muscles in the area, it’s very easy for the nerves and blood vessels to become impinged and result in symptoms.

Causes and Symptoms of TOS


Thoracic outlet syndrome symptoms can vary according to which structures are compressed. If there is an impingement of the nerves in the thoracic outlet, the signs and symptoms usually include numbness and tingling sensations in the arms, hands, and fingers, pain and soreness in the neck, shoulder, or hands, a weakened grip, and wasting in the fleshy base of the thumb, also known as Gilliatt-Sumner hand. If there is a impingement of the blood vessels in the thoracic outlet syndrome, the signs and symptoms usually include arm pain and swelling, discoloration of the entire hand, a single or multiple fingers, weak or no pulse in the affected arm, cold fingers, hands, or arms, upper extremity fatigue, and numbness or tingling sensations in the fingers.  

Thoracic outlet syndrome can be caused by a variety of injuries or conditions, from repetitive sport-related injuries to birth defects. Occasionally, doctors have a difficult time determining the source of development for TOS in certain individuals. But, most commonly, thoracic outlet syndrome is often diagnosed as a result of an automobile accident. Individuals who are involved in auto collisions frequently experience injuries. Whiplash, defined as a neck injury resulting from an abrupt, back-and-forth jolt of the head, is a common injury resulting from auto accidents. Because whiplash type injuries involve damage or injury to the surrounding muscles, tendons, and ligaments of the neck, the irritation from the trauma to these structures often leads to compression of the nerves and blood vessels around the cervical region of the spine, resulting in thoracic outlet syndrome.

TOS After an Auto Injury


The neck is a complex structure consisting of many bones, muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels and because of this, finding the exact source of an individual’s pain can be difficult. The symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome can also be very similar to other common injuries or conditions resulting from automobile accidents. If you suffered an auto accident and you’ve been experiencing symptoms of pain and discomfort, make sure to seek immediate medical attention to diagnose any possible complications and begin treatment as soon as possible. A chiropractor can often help determine the root cause of your symptoms and develop a treatment plan to help regain your health.


By Dr. Alex Jimenez



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The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, licensed physician, and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified health care professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to contact us. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN* email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com phone: 915-850-0900 Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico*