3 sleeping position tips that can benefit your thoracic outlet syndrome

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a term that classifies a group of conditions where the blood vessels or nerves in your thoracic outlet become compressed. This compression may be caused by a rib bone, collarbone, or muscles around the neck that are all part of the thoracic outlet. It can cause neck and shoulder pain in some patients. Thoracic outlet syndrome is a painful condition that is considered not very common. About one 1 to 3 out of every 100,000 people are diagnosed with this condition.

What are some of the symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome?

There are a few different symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome that may be important to know. These symptoms may become disruptive to everyday life and even make it difficult to sleep comfortably through the night. If you are having trouble sleeping through the night because of your health condition, it may be a good idea for you to consult with a professional. Below you will find some of the most common symptoms. If you recognize any of these symptoms as your own, it is still a good idea to speak with a professional. A health care provider can provide a formal diagnosis. 

• Shoulder pain — One of the first symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome that can affect your ability to sleep through the night is shoulder pain. You may feel more shoulder pain in certain sleeping positions than others. You probably will also feel shoulder pain throughout the day.

• Neck pain — It's also common for someone with thoracic outlet syndrome to experience neck pain. The severity of the neck pain can change depending on the sleeping position. It may feel intensely uncomfortable to rotate the neck or lift the head or even change positions during sleep. 

• Numbness — Thoracic outlet syndrome can also cause numbness. This numbness may appear in the fingers, the neck, and even in the shoulders. 

• Tingling — Some patients who have thoracic outlet syndrome will also report tingling sensations coming from their chest, neck, shoulders, or fingers. 

• Discoloration — It’s common to see discoloration in the affected area. Someone with this condition might have abnormal skin coloration from their nerve or blood vessels being compressed.

What are some of the causes of thoracic outlet syndrome?

This cluster of disorders generally has a few different types of causes. Some of those causes include traumatic injuries like a car accident or athletic injuries like those obtained during sports games. Repetitive motions can also cause this syndrome to occur. Another cause is pressure from a tumor or cyst. In some cases, pregnant women will develop this condition. It’s also seen in people who have bad posture and extreme muscle tension.

What are some sleeping positions that can benefit your thoracic outlet syndrome?

When you're dealing with thoracic outlet syndrome, getting enough sleep at night can feel difficult. It can be hard to get comfortable and find the right sleeping position.  Fortunately, there are a few different sleeping positions that can benefit someone who is dealing with thoracic outlet syndrome. 

• Sleeping flat on your back — One of the positions that can benefit your thoracic outlet is sleeping flat on your back. Sleeping on your back can help relieve muscle tension and pressure that builds up during the day. This sleeping position is considered the best overall sleeping position to maintain throughout the night. 

• Sleeping on one side — Sleeping on one side of your body is also another option. However, you'll want to avoid sleeping on the side that you are experiencing thoracic outlet syndrome symptoms. Sleeping on the affected side could make your symptoms worse. 

• Sleeping on a supportive pillow — Another sleeping position that can benefit your thoracic outlet syndrome is one that is supported by a pillow. It's important to have the right kind of pillow support. You may benefit from investing in an orthopedic pillow.

Don't delay getting physical therapy treatment any longer. Alliance PTP wants to treat you as soon as possible

At Alliance Physical Therapy Partners, we’re proudly bringing together physical therapy practices across the country to help people get the high-quality PT they need. 

Want to see a physical therapist in person? We can put you in touch with an Alliance PTP partner that’s close to you, and that can help you address your thoracic outlet syndrome through exercise and find the sleeping positions that work best for you. 

Not keen on in-person PT sessions or not close to an Alliance PTP partner? No worries. We also offer effective and affordable virtual physical therapy through our Agile Virtual Physical Therapy platform. 

Come find help for your injury or chronic condition today!