Maskai---I sort of figured that cost was a factor. Truthfully, I haven't pursued it seriously, though. (Some of that's b/c with mild claustrophobia, I'm reluctant to endure the procedure unless I HAVE to). I do know (from a CT scan I had) that I have some disc degeneration, and also a lot of generalized inflammation in the thoracic area related to bursitis/arthritis.

Throw in postural/tension issues and you have an amalgam of bothersome processes going on, LOL!!! I've mostly chalked it up to aging, and I just try to live with it and to use conservative treatments or pursue adaptive measures (i.e. using a headset or speaker phone, rather than cupping the phone between my shoulder and ear while taking notes...)...it's amazing how making little adjustments like that can help.

Oh, BTW, from lots of reviews of literature I've done, it seems that there are some in the medical community who do not accept that TOS is a truly discrete and diagnosable condition. What's your opinion on that? Both my physician and the physical therapy staff believe that it is a true condition, and I could clearly see that I met all of the criteria they applied (the various positional tests, etc.).

Ms. Marie--your story sounds like many I have heard. I don't know why I'm resistant to trying acupuncture. I've always been so skeptical of and resistant to non-conventional medicine, yet time after time, I hear of so many success stories. I have never, in my life, ever gone to a chiropractor, and probably never will, but I know so many people who swear by it...same with acupuncture.

Like you, I often get (along with everything else going on) such severe pain in the anterior neck/upper back/shoulder area that I can't turn my head--my range of motion gets severely restricted. NOT, NOT, NOT a good thing when driving, LOL, b/c I can't check blind spots. Sometimes, the pain is so bad that I just "hope" nothing's coming, LOL, when I change lanes.

If you were previously resistant to the idea, what finally convinced you to try acupuncture?