T4 syndrome : Upper Thoracic Syndrome

 

There are many reasons why patients may experience pins and needles, numbness, or sharp electric pain in the upper back, shoulder to hands.
 
One reason called T4 syndrome, or more accurately “upper thoracic syndrome”, is a rare and perhaps under-recognised syndrome. Upper thoracic syndrome is based on the premise that dysfunction of the joints in the thoracic spine can refer pain and paraesthesia(numbness) to the upper limbs and the hands.
 
As sympathetic outflow to the upper body is supplied by levels in the thoracic spine the sympathetic nervous system could provide a pathway for referral from the thoracic spine to the upper limb. This syndrome is 3 times more common in women than men. 
 
We treat and manage T4 syndrome by working on the area with differing osteopathic techniques. 

 

For a full analysis please visit us at The Osteopathic Centre.

 

 

See more articles on our Instagram page here
https://www.instagram.com/the.osteo.sg/