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Chiari and dizzyness solutions other then surgery
I was recently diagnosed with Chiari Malformation after a year of dizziness. This is my only symptom. Sometimes it feels like 'classic' dizziness and sometimes it feels like I'm moving when nothing else is. Does anybody have any natural solutions to this problem?
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.
I know having a condition like Chiari we do not think we are affected by it like some of the others we read about....but since it is a congenital condition we may have more going on then we realize since we have always had to deal with the symptoms and consider them "normal" until they worsen and then we begin to connect the dots and understand much of how we feel is not "normal" and symptoms of this condition. I am not aware of any meds that help as none helped me...I know avoiding some activities can help....and there are things we can do to help once the symptoms flare...are you interested in these type of things?
I know having a condition like Chiari we do not think we are affected by it like some of the others we read about....but since it is a congenital condition we may have more going on then we realize since we have always had to deal with the symptoms and consider them "normal" until they worsen and then we begin to connect the dots and understand much of how we feel is not "normal" and symptoms of this condition. I am not aware of any meds that help as none helped me...I know avoiding some activities can help....and there are things we can do to help once the symptoms flare...are you interested in these type of things?
3 Comments
Yes I'm definitely interested to know what can help!
The feeling like you are moving can be vertigo....and sometimes if you do this method called the Epley maneuver it can help....google it, basically you lay down and roll to one side first, say left and lay there and slowly move into a sitting position...then do it again for the other side....you must roll onto your side very slowly this is to allow crystals in the inner ear to fall back into place.....this does not work all the time for those with Chiari but it is something Chiari specialists suggest to see if it may help.
Here is our list of activities to avoid which can help you avoid some of the symptoms.
Activities to avoid with Chiari...
The subject no one wants to hear about, but chiari and syringomyelia are life-altering conditions and you WILL have to face that and change some major things in your life. You will find people with these conditions who continue to do some of these things, but they do so with the knowledge that it can severely alter their current condition for the worse. The following are just some of those No-No’s:
NO neck stressing activities, such as roller-coasters, 4-wheelers, skateboards, horseback riding, motorcycles, wave pools, backpacking, falling asleep in chairs, extended reading with head bent ect.. Anything that “jars” your head and/or spine is a definite no-no.
NO neck stressing sports, such as water skiing, snow skiing, snow boarding, sky diving, bungee jumping, diving, playing tennis, basketball, soccer, football ect (Just trying to cover all the basics – you get the idea.)
NO contact sports.
NO Chiropractor!- Especially at the neck for chiarians and for those with a syrinx, no deep tissue in the area of ur syrinx.(The chiro should be well versed on Both CM/SM)
NO straining which includes straining to reach something, or even straining during a bowel movement. Take a fiber supplement every day if you tend to get blocked up.
NO moving furniture or heavy objects around by pushing, pulling, lifting, or any other way. Pick up nothing heavier than a gallon of milk. I know – that sounds impossible, but keep that gallon of milk in the back of your mind.
NO moving around in the dark!
NO putting yourself into stressful situations or relationships. Try to relax, avoid noise and keep your neck muscles relaxed.
NO twisting your spine – try to keep a good posture with your spine lined up and straight.
NO bending over. lower yourself to the floor by bending your knees – not your back.
NO sudden spinal/neck movements.
NO using the hair wash sink at the hair salon.Instead ask for the special try that most hair salons have that are designed to accommodate people who are unable to bend their head/necks backward.
NO Lifting more than 15 lbs when strength training or backpacking.Heavy lifting is generally not recommended especially if you have a syrinx.
AVOID sleeping in a head down position.
Avoid cervical traction.
Avoid lumbar punctures, spinal taps or epidurals, unless it is a well informed chiari dr....if a LP is drawn too quick it can cause the tonsils to herniate even further.Done incorrectly, this can be very dangerous for a chiarian.
AVOID doing any kind of activity that causes you to bend your head backwards, such as: bending back to gargle, washing hair in the shower ect.
AVOID food with too much salt.Especially for woman during their premenstrual period.
DON'T participate in any physical activity that puts you in jeopardy of falling and or creating trauma of any kind.
DON’T try to keep commitments when you’re feeling badly. Listen to your body.
AVOID sleeping in a head down position.
Avoid cervical traction.
Avoid lumbar punctures, spinal taps or epidurals, unless it is a well informed chiari dr....if a LP is drawn too quick it can cause the tonsils to herniate even further.Done incorrectly, this can be very dangerous for a chiarian.
AVOID doing any kind of activity that causes you to bend your head backwards, such as: bending back to gargle, washing hair in the shower ect.
AVOID food with too much salt.Especially for woman during their premenstrual period.
DON'T participate in any physical activity that puts you in jeopardy of falling and or creating trauma of any kind.
DON’T try to keep commitments when you’re feeling badly. Listen to your body.
Here is our list of activities to avoid which can help you avoid some of the symptoms.
Activities to avoid with Chiari...
The subject no one wants to hear about, but chiari and syringomyelia are life-altering conditions and you WILL have to face that and change some major things in your life. You will find people with these conditions who continue to do some of these things, but they do so with the knowledge that it can severely alter their current condition for the worse. The following are just some of those No-No’s:
NO neck stressing activities, such as roller-coasters, 4-wheelers, skateboards, horseback riding, motorcycles, wave pools, backpacking, falling asleep in chairs, extended reading with head bent ect.. Anything that “jars” your head and/or spine is a definite no-no.
NO neck stressing sports, such as water skiing, snow skiing, snow boarding, sky diving, bungee jumping, diving, playing tennis, basketball, soccer, football ect (Just trying to cover all the basics – you get the idea.)
NO contact sports.
NO Chiropractor!- Especially at the neck for chiarians and for those with a syrinx, no deep tissue in the area of ur syrinx.(The chiro should be well versed on Both CM/SM)
NO straining which includes straining to reach something, or even straining during a bowel movement. Take a fiber supplement every day if you tend to get blocked up.
NO moving furniture or heavy objects around by pushing, pulling, lifting, or any other way. Pick up nothing heavier than a gallon of milk. I know – that sounds impossible, but keep that gallon of milk in the back of your mind.
NO moving around in the dark!
NO putting yourself into stressful situations or relationships. Try to relax, avoid noise and keep your neck muscles relaxed.
NO twisting your spine – try to keep a good posture with your spine lined up and straight.
NO bending over. lower yourself to the floor by bending your knees – not your back.
NO sudden spinal/neck movements.
NO using the hair wash sink at the hair salon.Instead ask for the special try that most hair salons have that are designed to accommodate people who are unable to bend their head/necks backward.
NO Lifting more than 15 lbs when strength training or backpacking.Heavy lifting is generally not recommended especially if you have a syrinx.
AVOID sleeping in a head down position.
Avoid cervical traction.
Avoid lumbar punctures, spinal taps or epidurals, unless it is a well informed chiari dr....if a LP is drawn too quick it can cause the tonsils to herniate even further.Done incorrectly, this can be very dangerous for a chiarian.
AVOID doing any kind of activity that causes you to bend your head backwards, such as: bending back to gargle, washing hair in the shower ect.
AVOID food with too much salt.Especially for woman during their premenstrual period.
DON'T participate in any physical activity that puts you in jeopardy of falling and or creating trauma of any kind.
DON’T try to keep commitments when you’re feeling badly. Listen to your body.
AVOID sleeping in a head down position.
Avoid cervical traction.
Avoid lumbar punctures, spinal taps or epidurals, unless it is a well informed chiari dr....if a LP is drawn too quick it can cause the tonsils to herniate even further.Done incorrectly, this can be very dangerous for a chiarian.
AVOID doing any kind of activity that causes you to bend your head backwards, such as: bending back to gargle, washing hair in the shower ect.
AVOID food with too much salt.Especially for woman during their premenstrual period.
DON'T participate in any physical activity that puts you in jeopardy of falling and or creating trauma of any kind.
DON’T try to keep commitments when you’re feeling badly. Listen to your body.
Thank you!
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