Chiropractic Treatment: Thoracic T4 Syndrome

Thoracic T4 Syndrome symptoms include upper back discomfort and diffuse pain in the arms. Thoracic T4 Syndrome occurs when the T4 vertebrate in the spine is damaged and causes pain in the back and into the arms.

Your upper back hurts and your hands are swollen and feel heavy.  As you read the symptoms of T4 syndrome, you realize that if you look at your hand long enough, you could swear they’re turning blue.

It’s understandable that you would look up these symptoms online before scheduling an appointment to see your health care provider.  If you typed your symptoms into a search engine and saw a possible diagnosis of “T4 syndrome,” which led you here, STOP!

Schedule an appointment with your physician or chiropractor and allow them to make a diagnosis. Your health care professional needs to rule out any cardiac, respiratory or visceral issues before making a diagnosis of Thoracic T4 Syndrome.

It’s important to keep in mind when checking with “Dr. Google” and his associate “Dr. WebMd” that neither  are trained and licensed health care professionals.  Instead, their “higher calling”  is to get you to pick up the phone and schedule an appointment with a trained and licensed health care professional such as a chiropractor. A chiropractor is able to diagnose and treat T4 syndrome.

If you live near Stuart, Florida, Advanced Wellness Solutions has two Martin County, Florida locations offering gentle chiropractic care.

What is T4 syndrome?

T4 syndrome symptoms include upper back discomfort and diffuse pain in the arms

When the nerves become at T4 damaged, the pain and discomfort caused is known as T4 Syndrome. T4 syndrome is rare yet deceptive issue that can present in many different ways.

T4 syndrome most often appears in people whose profession requires long hours in the same position.  Working at a computer most of the work day would be a perfect example.

Check out our article 7 Tips to Creating an Ergonomic Home Office

T4 syndrome can be confused with carpal tunnel syndrome, myofascial pain syndromes, cervical spine degenerative conditions, thoracic outlet syndrome, cardiac pain and pain originating from the viscera. 

It is crucial that you seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional if you are experiencing any of the symptoms of T4 syndrome.

What causes T4 syndrome?

Symptoms may arise following a change in normal routine.  A new job or hobby may require constant extreme postures which can lead to blood loss in multiple tissues contributing to symptoms.

Another possible cause for T4 syndrome is that the facet joints in the thoracic spine become damaged, either from poor posture or trauma.  This causes inflammation to the nerve root at that level, leading to symptoms of T4 syndrome.

More often found in women than men, the reason for the sex discrepancy for T4 syndrome is unknown.

What are the symptoms of T4 syndrome?

The symptoms of T4 syndrome can vary and present as:

• Neck pain
• Headaches
• Upper limb pain (bilateral or unilateral)
• Pain around the T4 area
• Scapular pain
• Reduced hand dexterity
• Thoracic spine stiffness
• Tenderness on palpation of T4 vertebra
• An abnormal sensation tingling, pricking, chilling, burning, or numbness with no apparent physical cause in all five digits, or whole hand, or forearm-hand
• feeling heaviness in the upper extremities
• Hands feel hot or cold
• Hand may feel and/or appear swollen
• Non-dermatomal aches/pains in arm and/or forearm
• Pain often described as crushing or like a tight band

How do you treat T4 syndrome?

Treatment for T4 syndrome includes:

• Gentle chiropractic
• Acupuncture
• Medical massage therapy on the upper back and neck muscles
• Ultrasound
• TENS unit
• Postural exercises
• Stretching muscles of the chest
• Strengthening muscles of the upper back
• At home exercises to keep good posture

If you are experiencing symptoms of T4 syndrome and wish to discuss your treatments options, please call 855-509-5400 so schedule your appointment with Advanced Wellness Solutions.