Physical Therapy for a Dx of Chiari?

[gmaldonado]

Has anyone ever been referred to physical therapy for your chiari symptoms? If so, why does it consist of?

[gmaldonado]

thanks for the advice. I'm just a bit skeptical..about it. I don't want them to hurt me!

[*Stormy*]

Hi

I went to PT after my surgery to hopefully regain some muscular strength, balance, and to help the muscle spasms in my neck, back and shoulders. I won't say that it didn't help..it did..but the pain from doing the exercises eventually caused me to stop for now. I just saw a Physiatrist (body specialist) and he told me that I shouldn't have been starting any land exercises as this point in time, I should only be doing exercises in the water. That way it won't cause pain to my joints. So you may want to consider something like that too. At the pool near where I live, they have registered Kinesiologists who can recommend the best exercises for your situation.

My PT consisted of them testing my muscular strength and then giving me exercises to do at home to build up the muscle areas that were weak (which ended up being a lot!!) For the neck spasms...basically they would heat or ice it and then put some current on it. I didn't find that part hugely effective after awhile.

Good luck
Carolyn