Dancing and exercise with Chiari, is this ok?

[Erica2018]

Hi all, my 14 year old daughter was just diagnosed with Chiari Malformation 1.  It was found in an MRI that was ordered due to her scoliosis.  Other than headaches, which are not bad, in fact she hardly takes anything for them, that is the only symptom that she has.  She has taken dance since she was 5 years old, on her schools dance-line team, and takes studio lessons.  Her heart and soul are in this.  She never complains about pain.  We don't see the neurosurgeon for a few weeks.  Is this something she should avoid.  Her MRI shows a 5mm herniation, spinal cord in cervical spine, thoracic spine, and lumber spine are all normal.  

[selmaS]

Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

Dance should not be difficult for her to continue with if it is not causing symptoms to flare/worsen. Most activities that we are told to avoid  typically are things like contact sports.....or anything that causes us discomfort.

She should continue to  dance as long as she is able to enjoy it.