At Soft Touch Chiropractic in Porter Ranch California, 30% of Dr. Masoud Shamaeizadeh's patients suffer from thoracic outlet syndrome and don't even know it.  It generally shows up as neck pain, shoulder pain, arm or wrist pain.

Thoracic outlet syndrome or TOS is one of the underlining causes of frozen shoulder and carpal tunnel syndrome.  It develops through a cycle of dysfunction in the neck area C5 to T2.  The cycle goes as follows:

1.  Muscular imbalance

2.  Neurological irritation

3.  Vascular obstruction

When all three of the above happen, it becomes a vicious cycle. The cycle can begin with any one of these dysfunctions.  For example, if a patient has a misaligned neck vertebra (neurological irritation) it will press on the nerves leading to the shoulder and will cause spasms in the muscles right below the neck (muscular imbalance). The muscles, in turn, press on the blood vessels underneath it (vascular obstruction) and also pull on the neck vertebra some more, causing further muscular imbalance and neurological irritation.  Look at Figure 1.

When we don't have enough blood supply to the shoulder, arm, elbow and wrist, the joints will not be able to repair themselves because the blood is what carries nutrients in and carries toxins out of the joints.  The blood also carries vital oxygen to the cells.  If the oxygen supply is cut off, the cells die.

The early symptoms of TOS are:

1.  Cold hands
2.  Pain in fingers that worsens at night, to the point that it wakes you up
3.  Burning sensation in shoulder
4.  Tingling in shoulder
5.  Tingling in some fingers

If you are experiencing early symptoms of TOS, I recommend you see a chiropractor right away for an exam and consultation to prevent frozen shoulder and carpal tunnel.  If the cycle goes uninterrupted, it will lead to further damage that can end up in unnecessary surgery.

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The examiner asks the patient to take a deep breath and hold it while bearing down, as if moving the bowls.  A positive test is indicated by increased pain, which may be caused by increased intrathecal pressure. 

​This increase pressure within the spinal cord usually results from a space-occupying lesion, such as a herniated disc, a tumor, or osteophytes.  Test results are very subjective.  The test should be done with care and caution, because the patient may become dizzy and pass out while performing the test or shortly afterward if the procedure blocks the blood supply to the brain. 
​ORTHOPEDIC PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT
DAVID J. MAGEE

​A healthy spine is the foundation of a healthy life. But to care for your spine properly, it’s first important to understand its structure and function. Dr. Masoud Shamaeizadeh of Soft Touch Chiropractic in Porter Ranch California, has compiled the following overview in hopes that patients broaden their knowledge of this vital structure. ​The spinal column supports the body’s head and trunk. This bony lifeline,
with its numerous components, is also known as the vertebral column or backbone. 
​
 Dr. Masoud Shamaeizadeh of Soft Touch Chiropractic in Porter Ranch California spends countless hours navigating this strong but flexible superhighway full of twists, turns and exits. Even the slightest deviation on this intricate highway can spur complications ranging from carpal tunnel syndrome to headaches, backaches, infantile colic and ear infections.

What Are Vertebrae?

The spine is actually a chain of 24 bones known as vertebrae, which rest
on a bone called the sacrum — below which is the coccyx. In between the
vertebrae are joints. These joints are cushioned by fluid-filled “pillows”
called inter vertebral discs (IVDs).The soft inner section of the IVD is
called the nucleus pulposa. Surrounding the nucleus is the sturdier annulus
fibrosis.The vertebral column extends from the skull to the pelvis. In addition to keeping us vertical, its most important job is protecting the spinal cord.
Types of Vertebrae

Vertebrae are categorized by position,shape and function: Cervical — Taking it from the top down, the first seven vertebrae are known as cervical (C1-C7). These
lightweight bones allow for maximum range of motion and flexibility.
Thoracic — The 12 vertebrae in this category form the central part of the
spinal column. Located in the upper back, each of the thoracic vertebrae is
attached to a rib.Lumbar — Located in the small of the back, the five stocky lumbar vertebrae are the ultimate workhorses: bearing the weight of the head and the trunk.
Sacrum — This triangular area includes five fused bones and is flanked
by the pelvic bones (illium). Coccyx — Also known as the tailbone, it consists of four fused vertebrae.

 Dr. Masoud Shamaeizadeh of Soft Touch Chiropractic in Porter Ranch California explains that, although excessive side-to-side spinal curves (scoliosis) are dysfunctional,slight front-to-back curves are essential to spinal health.
The spine’s unique design gives it strength and flexibility. Shock absorption is also enhanced — as is balance:the latter by keeping the trunk of the body placed squarely over the feet. The three normal curves of the vertebral column are:

Cervical lordosis (neck) — the apex in the front or anterior of the body.
Loss of this curve results in a straightened or “military” neck. Reversal of
this curve results in a jetting forward of the head, or “forward” neck.

Thoracic kyphosis (upper back) —the apex in the back or posterior. Ex-
cessive kyphosis results in “hunch back.”
​
Lumbar lordosis (low back) — the apex in the anterior of the body.
Strong abdominal muscles prevent excessive lordosis or “sway back.”
Vertebrae View Typically, vertebrae consist of a weight-bearing outer bone, called the centrum, which is attached to a ring shaped arch. Working together, they protect a hole known as the vertebral foramen — where the spinal cord passes through. Ligaments and back muscles stabilize the vertebral column and create a series of checks and balances.
Vertebral Subluxations It’s easy to imagine how the delicate
balance of the vertebral column can be upset. Repetitive motion, trauma,
sports activities and office work may all generate slight alterations in spinal
alignment. When vertebrae become misaligned or spinal movement is restricted, the result is a condition known as vertebral subluxation. This
common occurrence is linked with a myriad of health concerns, such as
carpal tunnel syndrome, headaches,backaches, infantile colic and ear infections.
Chiropractors correct vertebral subluxations with safe and gentle maneuvers called chiropractic adjustments.
But how do they detect this condition in the first place?
Doctors of chiropractic use the sense of touch — known as palpation — to
determine the existence of vertebral subluxations. In addition, range-of-
motion restriction, postural imbalances and muscle tension often indicate the presence of vertebral subluxations. Orthopedic and neurological tests further assist chiropractors inidentifying the condition.

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