Tuesday, February 19, 2013

WHAT IS THORACIC OUTLET SYNDROME


According to the Mayo Clinic, "Thoracic outlet syndrome is a group of disorders that occur when the blood vessels or nerves in the thoracic outlet — the space between your collarbone and your first rib — become compressed. This can cause pain in your shoulders and neck and numbness in your fingers."
Sometimes an injured worker will develop this after an injury or trauma to the neck and shoulder area.  There can even be a long delay between the trauma and onset of symptoms.  Motor Vehicle Accidents and repetitive use are also potential causes for this syndrome. 
Physical therapy and treating the pain can often resolve the issue.  Your physical therapist will work with you to improve over all posture as this may help lessen numbness and pain in your arm and/or fingers. Nerve gliding is a necessary exercise that can be painful to perform, but benefits you in the long run as it loosens the nerve and may eventually relieve the compression. 
If physical therapy does not relieve the symptoms surgery may be recommended.  However, the surgery is considered risky and should be carefully discussed and considered. 
If you have been diagnosed with this syndrome or plan to seek care because you think you may have it, be prepared by having a list of questions to ask your doctor.  The Mayo Clinic provides a comprehensive list.  Not all will apply to you, but refer to it and decide which are important for you to discuss with your doctor. 
There are actually several types of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, depending upon involvement of nerves, veins and arteries, or and undetermined involvement.  For this reason it can be difficult to diagnose and several tests may be necessary to determine what is causing your symptoms.  
After a physical examination, your doctor may send you to one or more specialists. You may have to undergo tests including vascular scans, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), MRA (MRI with contrast), ENG (nerve conduction velocity). 
Your doctor or the specialist may do some physical tests which require you to move in specific ways meant to reproduce the pain symptoms. While painful, this can give the doctor more information on what may be causing your symptoms and aid in developing a treatment plan for you. 
If you have Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, you will need to do a few things to keep the symptoms at bay, even after physical therapy.  It is important to:
  1. Maintain good posture to reduce the compression on nerves, veins and arteries
  2. Take regular breaks when working
  3. Practice relaxation techniques to keep your muscles from impinging the outlet
This Syndrome can be painful and frustrating, both to live with and to diagnose and treat.  If you are having symptoms don't delay talking to your doctor about them and be persistent.  If you need to, consider changing doctors or getting a second opinion. 
Be your own medical advocate, educate yourself, and ask plenty of questions! 

Monday, February 18, 2013

Job Search for the Rest of Us!: LOOK TO THE PAST

MONDAY MISSION

http://www.morguefile.com/creative/richard_b
A career plan or goal is necessary if you want to move forward.  If you have not already done so, you can look at your labor market for ideas about career direction. 

Or, you can look at your previous jobs or employers. How you have felt (or in some cases still feel) can provide clues to the type of tasks, environment, supervisor, or position you might do well in.
Consider each and ask yourself some basic questions:

  1. Which job(s) did you like best and what specifically did you like most about each?
  2. How did you “land” your jobs in the – think about how you found them, interviewed and what got you the job offer.
 Read more:  http://www.jobsearchfortherestofus.com/2013/02/look-to-past.html 

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Job Search for the Rest of Us!: DON'T BE GOOD

THURSDAY THOUGHT ...BE BETTER; BETTER YET - BE THE BEST! I love this quote by Abraham Lincoln.  Mainly, I think because it speaks to th...Read more:  Job Search for the Rest of Us!: DON'T BE GOOD

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

MONDAY MISSION February 11, 2013

 Often, unemployed job seekers set a long term goal of to "get a job." If you are employed and looking for work you may think your goal is to "find another job" or to "get a better job." A more definitive goal with clear cut time frames will ensure you know when you reach your goal.   Read More:  Job Search for the Rest of Us!: VISUALIZE YOUR IDEAL WORK DAY

Thursday, February 7, 2013

HOW TO PREPARE FOR COURT

http://www.morguefile.com/creative/potbelly11
If you have been injured at work, chances are good that you will need to attend a hearing or present in court as a part of your case. This prospect can be very nerve-racking and you may feel a bit nervous or overwhelmed at the thought - that is okay!

There are a few things you can do to make things go a bit more smoothly:


  1. Dress appropriately.You may not have a closet full of suits or dresses. Think about what you would where to church or a funeral.  Consider borrowing appropriate clothes or visiting a thrift store if you can't afford to buy something new. 
  2. Bring a pad an pen.  You may have to wait at times and jotting notes or writing messages to your support person may help pass the time and calm your nerves.
  3. Ask your representative what paperwork you need to bring and make sure you have this ready to go the day before. 
  4. Leave your cell phone and other electronic devices in the car.  Many hearing venues will not allow you to bring any electronics into the building - just leave them in the car!
  5. Leave your sunglasses in the car, but bring your reading glasses.  The last court hearing I attended banned sunglasses on top of the head and even asked you to remove eyeglasses stored there.  You may need to read, so if you wear reading glasses bring them.
  6. Food and drink are also not usually allowed.  It is tempting to bring a water bottle and you may feel like you need one, but it is often not allowed.  There usually are water fountains and restrooms - locate these upon arrival!
  7. Arrive early.  You may know exactly where you are going and think you allowed plenty of time, but you don't know what you will find INSIDE the building.  Often everyone is given the same hearing time and a line is formed to check people in. Allow more than enough time so you don't get frazzled.
  8. For other tips on how to prepare for court:  http://injurylawyerfinder.com/ten-tips-testifying.htm 
What will you do to prepare for court?  Comment below or email me

Other articles that may be of interest:


Nov 09, 2012
They can sometimes be tilted to trick the observer into believing what they'd like to believe. However, in the past few weeks, I've been hearing from staffing agencies, HR Technology vendors and analysts alike that hiring is up.
1

Job Search for the Rest of Us!: KNOW WHAT YOU WANT

THURSDAY THOUGHT  If you are looking for work unexpectedly, it may be the first time you have actually had the opportunity to consider what you would like to do and what employer you would like to work for.  Take a few minutes and do this! Read more:  Job Search for the Rest of Us!: KNOW WHAT YOU WANT

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Job Search for the Rest of Us!: ASSESS YOUR GOAL

TUESDAY TIP

Job Search for the Rest of Us!: ASSESS YOUR GOAL: Are your goals realistic?  This can be a career planner's biggest stumbling block.   Try to take a step back and think objectively.   This ...Read More

Monday, February 4, 2013

Job Search for the Rest of Us!: REVIEW OR SET YOUR GOALS

 MONDAY MISSION


 http://www.morguefile.com/creative/vicky53 MONDAY MISSION
If you read my series on interviewing you may already be thinking about the questions that employers may ask you. One question is almost universally posed, albeit in different forms Read More: Job Search for the Rest of Us!: REVIEW OR SET YOUR GOALS

Friday, February 1, 2013

Job Search for the Rest of Us!: #FF #FRIDAY #FOLLOW UP

Job Search for the Rest of Us!: #FF #FRIDAY #FOLLOW UP: Here are some great posts I shared by great career experts – enjoy! Interview: Here and now »  # THURSDAY   # THOUGHT  Whether you are...

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