Thoracic outlet syndrome

Lifestyle should be modified to minimise compression and trauma to the thoracic outlet by the following methods:

• Maintaining good posture

• Optimising posture (including core stability)

• Optimising mechanics for overhead athletes (i.e., core and shoulder girdle stability)

• Avoiding repetitive jobs, or taking frequent breaks (rotating activity) during repetitive jobs

• Using ergonomic workstations.

In addition to optimising posture and work practices, patients can reduce recurrence by:

• Core strengthening

• Strengthening the shoulder girdle

• Keeping open the space between the clavicle and first rib using physical manoeuvres and stretches

• Loosening the neck and shoulder muscles (stretching the scalene muscles and pectoralis)

• Modifying behaviour (losing weight, correcting sleep positions).