Last Reviewed by: Dr. Steve Knighton | March 16, 2026

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Treatment Oakville

Dr. Steve has been treating Thoracic Outlet Syndrome patients for the last 20 years. He has treated 100’s of patients with TOS with great results. If you have been diagnosed with TOS, get in today and get your life back! At our Oakville clinic both our chiropractic and physiotherapy team used evidence based treatment to help cure Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. Scalene muscles and cervical rib compression originate in the spine and will need neck pain treatment!

If your thoracic outlet symptoms are related to a workplace injury, learn how to start a WSIB claim and access approved treatment in Oakville.

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Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Treatment Video

 

 

What is Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?

 

The Thoracic Outlet is the area between your upper spine and shoulder, underneath your collarbone. This is a very important area where the nerves, arteries and veins that supply your entire arm and hand pass through. Thoracic Outlet Syndrome occurs if the nerves, arteries or veins are compressed in this region. This can occur due to repetitive strain on the arms or cervical spine joints anatomical anomalies (like an extra rib), poor posture or pregnancy. If you are experiencing neck pain we have the treatment for you too!

Symptoms of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome can include pain, numbness and/or tingling in the fingers. Muscle weakness in the arm or hand, or pain in the upper back are also symptoms of this condition. If the cause is vascular, then it is possible to experience cold hands/fingers or even a bluish or pale appearance to the skin of the hands and fingers!

Too many times in our Oakville Chiropractic Clinic we see patients who have mis-diagnosed with a rotator cuff tear, a cervical nerve being pinched or even a blood based arthritic disease. If you think you might have TOS and you are in the Oakville area, get in now, get the diagnosis you need. Every minute counts when you are dealing with compression of nerves. Do not wait until its too late!

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Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Anatomy Video

What Our TOS Patients Are saying

  • Steve is awesome! Helps my aching problems every visit and sends me stretches to help that I can do at home. I have a love/hate relationship with the machines but definitely worth it! Steve comes in after the machines and does his magic! So happy I found his services 😀... read more

    Kim Havenaar Avatar Kim Havenaar
    December 7, 2024

    Incredible place!! Highly recommend! 10/10 would trust them with anything! Pricing is reasonable and worth every penny. I went here for Chiro, Physio and Massage and each and every doctor was knowledgeable, helpful, trustworthy and kind. Most of all they really cared! They took the time to understand where my... read more

    Nadia G Avatar Nadia G
    August 7, 2024

    Very helpful team. Physiotherapist Vinaya has now helping me on 2 different inquiries and RMT Jessica helps remove the aches, pains and stress

    Mark Silva Avatar Mark Silva
    December 17, 2024
  • Dr. Jenn thank you for all the years looking after our family, you are nothing short of a miracle worker. Always refer friends to your practice, sorry we are moving, you will be missed. Audrey, thank you for always accommodating us on short notice and following up, lifesaver. ... read more

    Shona Mindzak Avatar Shona Mindzak
    December 7, 2024

    Dr. Steve was amazing! He listened to my issues & addressed them according. He was friendly and empathetic.

    Sabrina Hasan Avatar Sabrina Hasan
    August 7, 2024

    Dr Steve and all the staff are excellent. He has been on point in helping us deal with some injuries and pains; shock wave therapy is a game changer. Now, all the family goes there. From injuries to posture, they are our go-to clinic. Highly recommend.

    Jorge Vidal Avatar Jorge Vidal
    December 7, 2024
  • Wow! Wow! Wow! Some serious back pain from recent snow event. Sent emergency pleading text yesterday and was squeezed in for an appt BEFORE the clinic even opened. Can’t express my sincere gratitude enough. Over and above 5star service from Dr Steve and the amazing Laura. This wasn’t the... read more

    Anna Molar Avatar Anna Molar
    February 20, 2025

    so good!!! the people are lovely and the service is so effective! felt results after session one!

    lilly montelongo Avatar lilly montelongo
    August 7, 2024

    Love Dr. Steve and the staff. Everyone is great and helpful and efficient and you don’t feel rushed or just a number. They take time to listen to you. Laura (the one with the kind eyes) is just the best. She explains the machines really well and is easy to... read more

    Kiran Chauhan Avatar Kiran Chauhan
    July 7, 2024

4 Steps to Treating Thoracic Outlet Syndrome:

Our Oakville chiropractors treat all kinds of upper spine and shoulder injuries. TOS is one of the more complicated injuries they deal with as their could be a component of the injury coming from the patients spine, muscles, first rib, shoulder and more. Our thoracic outlet treating team in Oakville has had some patients with subluxated ribs that mimicked TOS!

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Treatment for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome for most patients usually involve IFC, Heat, Chiropractic Manipulation of the patients cervical spine, thoracic spine and first rib. ART and Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Therapy is also used in most cases to free up the tight muscle and break up the scar tissue and knots. In severe cases our doctors use shockwave therapy treatment to further the destruction of the adhesion’s and scar tissue causing the patients pain!-

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Marker diagram on a TOS patient. Thoracic Outlet is above the collar bone and below the neck muscle.

 

Step 1. Interferential Current Therapy (IFC)

Interferential Current Therapy (IFC) is an advanced electrical stimulation technique used in physiotherapy and chiropractic care. This therapy involves the application of an electrical stimulation device that attaches to the patient’s skin through suction cups. When utilized by a physiotherapist or chiropractor, IFC is often combined with heat therapy to enhance blood circulation and relax the tissues in the affected area. The combination of IFC and heat not only promotes increased blood flow and tissue relaxation but also helps to reduce inflammation by effectively flushing out excess fluid from the injured site.

Step 2. Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave Therapy is considered the gold standard for treating Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. Radial Shockwave Therapy utilizes an air-powered device that propels a bullet against an applicator head at a high frequency—up to 15 times per second—for a total of approximately 1,500 impulses per session.

The intensity of the treatment is carefully adjusted within the patient’s pain tolerance, typically ranging between 0.3 BAR and 2.2 BAR. While the therapy can sometimes feel “annoying” due to the repetitive pulses, our skilled physiotherapy and chiropractic team highly recommend applying ice after the session to help minimize any discomfort and optimize recovery.

 

Shockwave Therapy on a patients thoracic outlet region, just above the collar bone!

A thumb pushed into the patients TOS region.

Step 3. Active Release Therapy & Trigger Point Therapy

Active Release Therapy (ART) and Trigger Point Therapy are highly effective techniques used by our expert chiropractors and physiotherapists to address the root causes of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS). These therapies specifically target the trapezius, sternocleidomastoid (SCM), and scalene muscles, which often contribute to TOS symptoms.

ART involves the precise application of pressure to a muscle in the side of the patient’s cervical spine while guiding the head or shoulder through movements that shorten and lengthen the muscle, promoting mobility and reducing tension. Trigger Point Therapy, on the other hand, utilizes steady, sustained pressure on tight muscles surrounding the thoracic outlet to release deep-seated tension and restore function.

Our clinic follows evidence-based treatment protocols to ensure the highest standard of care. With a combined 40 years of experience, our skilled therapists are dedicated to delivering comprehensive and effective solutions for TOS and related musculoskeletal conditions.

Step 4. Chiropractic Adjustment

If you are receiving treatment from Dr. Steve or Dr. Jenn at our Oakville clinic, you will likely undergo a first rib adjustment, a cervical spine adjustment, and a thoracic spine adjustment. Our experienced chiropractors use these techniques to release nerve tension, reduce muscle tightness, and promote faster healing for patients with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS).

The first rib adjustment is performed using an activator to target the thoracic outlet, helping to restore proper movement and function. Additionally, both of our chiropractors utilize a combination of manual adjustments for the cervical spine and upper back to enhance mobility and alleviate discomfort. These precise, evidence-based chiropractic adjustments help accelerate the healing process, allowing patients to regain their quality of life more quickly.

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Chiropractor with hands on patients upper back doing an adjustment

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Stretches & Exercises:

A graphic showing stretches for thoracic outlet syndrome

A graphic showing stretches for thoracic outlet syndrome

A graphic showing exercise for thoracic outlet syndrome

A graphic showing stretches for thoracic outlet syndrome

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome FAQs