Guest guest Posted March 7, 2002 Report Share Posted March 7, 2002 , Many chiarians do weights.....I have started after surgery. Also Don and Chip do several sports and they feel good....I am not sure about basketball because of the jumping for rebound.....the running is Ok but I think when you land you irritate your condition. You can still be very active ...it's a matter of learning how to! I call it finding a " new normal " Hugs Alba in Dallas exercise Ok, as a little bit of background on myself for those I haven't talked to yet, I'm 26 years old and living in Buffalo, NY. I was diagnosed with Chiari and Syringomyelia last week after close to a year of neck and shoulder pain finally prompted my orthopedist to have an MRI done. I've since been referred to a neurosurgeon and I'm still waiting for my first appointment with him (3/21). Anyway one of the hardest things for me to accept has been the limits this is placing on any kind of athletic activity. I am pretty much a gym rat, up until a month or so ago I played basketball a couple times a week and did weight training 4-5 times a week. Well last time a played basketball I had the worst headache I've ever had the next day, so I know I can't do that anymore, at least not until after I talk to the NSG. And I've stayed away from the weights just to be on the safe side. But it's very frustrating to me. I know it seems trivial but this was a pretty significant part of my life. I almost feel like after putting so much work in to staying in good shape that now I just wasted my time. So I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions about what type of exercises are safe and what to avoid. I was thinking of going back to the weight training and just going really light on the weights, and cutting out anything that puts a strain on my neck. Is that too risky? I also would greatly appreciate any suggestions anyone has on stretching. I was following a pretty rigorous stretching routine before all of this. Now I feel like I am starting to get pretty stiff, especially in the upper body, neck/shoulder area. But I know I need to avoid anything that could hyper-extend my neck. So if anyone has any ideas on stretches that would be beneficial but safe, please let me know. God bless, _________________________________________________________________ Join the world’s largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail. http://www.hotmail.com Help section: http://www.yahoogroups.com/help/ NOTE: NCC refers to posts with No Chiari Content To Unsubscribe Yourself: chiari-unsubscribe WACMA Home: Http://www.wacma.com WACMA Online Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/chiari/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 7, 2002 Report Share Posted March 7, 2002 , Many chiarians do weights.....I have started after surgery. Also Don and Chip do several sports and they feel good....I am not sure about basketball because of the jumping for rebound.....the running is Ok but I think when you land you irritate your condition. You can still be very active ...it's a matter of learning how to! I call it finding a " new normal " Hugs Alba in Dallas exercise Ok, as a little bit of background on myself for those I haven't talked to yet, I'm 26 years old and living in Buffalo, NY. I was diagnosed with Chiari and Syringomyelia last week after close to a year of neck and shoulder pain finally prompted my orthopedist to have an MRI done. I've since been referred to a neurosurgeon and I'm still waiting for my first appointment with him (3/21). Anyway one of the hardest things for me to accept has been the limits this is placing on any kind of athletic activity. I am pretty much a gym rat, up until a month or so ago I played basketball a couple times a week and did weight training 4-5 times a week. Well last time a played basketball I had the worst headache I've ever had the next day, so I know I can't do that anymore, at least not until after I talk to the NSG. And I've stayed away from the weights just to be on the safe side. But it's very frustrating to me. I know it seems trivial but this was a pretty significant part of my life. I almost feel like after putting so much work in to staying in good shape that now I just wasted my time. So I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions about what type of exercises are safe and what to avoid. I was thinking of going back to the weight training and just going really light on the weights, and cutting out anything that puts a strain on my neck. Is that too risky? I also would greatly appreciate any suggestions anyone has on stretching. I was following a pretty rigorous stretching routine before all of this. Now I feel like I am starting to get pretty stiff, especially in the upper body, neck/shoulder area. But I know I need to avoid anything that could hyper-extend my neck. So if anyone has any ideas on stretches that would be beneficial but safe, please let me know. God bless, _________________________________________________________________ Join the world’s largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail. http://www.hotmail.com Help section: http://www.yahoogroups.com/help/ NOTE: NCC refers to posts with No Chiari Content To Unsubscribe Yourself: chiari-unsubscribe WACMA Home: Http://www.wacma.com WACMA Online Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/chiari/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 7, 2002 Report Share Posted March 7, 2002 , Many chiarians do weights.....I have started after surgery. Also Don and Chip do several sports and they feel good....I am not sure about basketball because of the jumping for rebound.....the running is Ok but I think when you land you irritate your condition. You can still be very active ...it's a matter of learning how to! I call it finding a " new normal " Hugs Alba in Dallas exercise Ok, as a little bit of background on myself for those I haven't talked to yet, I'm 26 years old and living in Buffalo, NY. I was diagnosed with Chiari and Syringomyelia last week after close to a year of neck and shoulder pain finally prompted my orthopedist to have an MRI done. I've since been referred to a neurosurgeon and I'm still waiting for my first appointment with him (3/21). Anyway one of the hardest things for me to accept has been the limits this is placing on any kind of athletic activity. I am pretty much a gym rat, up until a month or so ago I played basketball a couple times a week and did weight training 4-5 times a week. Well last time a played basketball I had the worst headache I've ever had the next day, so I know I can't do that anymore, at least not until after I talk to the NSG. And I've stayed away from the weights just to be on the safe side. But it's very frustrating to me. I know it seems trivial but this was a pretty significant part of my life. I almost feel like after putting so much work in to staying in good shape that now I just wasted my time. So I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions about what type of exercises are safe and what to avoid. I was thinking of going back to the weight training and just going really light on the weights, and cutting out anything that puts a strain on my neck. Is that too risky? I also would greatly appreciate any suggestions anyone has on stretching. I was following a pretty rigorous stretching routine before all of this. Now I feel like I am starting to get pretty stiff, especially in the upper body, neck/shoulder area. But I know I need to avoid anything that could hyper-extend my neck. So if anyone has any ideas on stretches that would be beneficial but safe, please let me know. God bless, _________________________________________________________________ Join the world’s largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail. http://www.hotmail.com Help section: http://www.yahoogroups.com/help/ NOTE: NCC refers to posts with No Chiari Content To Unsubscribe Yourself: chiari-unsubscribe WACMA Home: Http://www.wacma.com WACMA Online Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/chiari/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 8, 2002 Report Share Posted March 8, 2002 Its my belief that while someone is going through the workup for chiari /sm its best to avoid most exercise that falls under at all strenuous or aerobic level ect ...let your neurosurgeon help set limmits /recomend whats best ....even slight rise in blood presure or straining of abdominal muscles can cause a syrinx to extend for example . Once the neurosurgeon has oked it ...working with a physical therapist to find your limmits is very useful . ( Seeing a physiatrist to get started is always a good idea too ...they are physicians who specialise in rehabilitation medicine for those with brain or spinal cord injurys ) . Some limmits sugested at asap while you find the acm /sm knowledgable physician are .. don't lift over 5 pounds ...don't do summersaults / put strain on the abdominal muscles , stand on your head ...go on rollar coaster rides .. or play contact sports . two good sources of info on what you may want to consider long term are there is an article on expercise concepts in the Doctors corner " old articles " on the asap web site ( http://asap4sm .com ) and there was a great presentation by a physiatrist at the asap confrence last summer which was taped and is available from the web site to rent ( $10 for two weeks including return mail envelope ) ..copy it ...then seek a physiatrist and pt who have an understanding of acm /sm to guide your efforts .. Walking with good athletic shoes ( I use gel pad inserts too ) is pretty safe ....addaptive yoga stretches ( work out with the pt whats ok for you ) ...feldecrase ( sp ? ) movement work ... or technique movement work are both good sources of learning better body mechanics that may help reduce muscle discomfort ...and taking it a bit easy while you fully sort out your situation seem best limmits to me . Warm water exercise may help lots too ...but be careful about swiming itself ....the impacts to your arms /shoulders /neck may be too much ...side stroke often seems the best actual swiming stroke till your doctors clear more ....exercise below an aerobic level in a pool without arm weights and avoiding that actual swiming should be fine ...I find a pool heated in the low 90's best ( often available through a rehab center or an arthritis focused program ) . Hope thats a bit helpful ...its hard to find guidlines for this ..but while diagnosis is being sorted out , and until a physiatrist or neurosurgeon who knows acm /sm is guiding your care , I feel its better safe than sorry ! in Paradise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 8, 2002 Report Share Posted March 8, 2002 Its my belief that while someone is going through the workup for chiari /sm its best to avoid most exercise that falls under at all strenuous or aerobic level ect ...let your neurosurgeon help set limmits /recomend whats best ....even slight rise in blood presure or straining of abdominal muscles can cause a syrinx to extend for example . Once the neurosurgeon has oked it ...working with a physical therapist to find your limmits is very useful . ( Seeing a physiatrist to get started is always a good idea too ...they are physicians who specialise in rehabilitation medicine for those with brain or spinal cord injurys ) . Some limmits sugested at asap while you find the acm /sm knowledgable physician are .. don't lift over 5 pounds ...don't do summersaults / put strain on the abdominal muscles , stand on your head ...go on rollar coaster rides .. or play contact sports . two good sources of info on what you may want to consider long term are there is an article on expercise concepts in the Doctors corner " old articles " on the asap web site ( http://asap4sm .com ) and there was a great presentation by a physiatrist at the asap confrence last summer which was taped and is available from the web site to rent ( $10 for two weeks including return mail envelope ) ..copy it ...then seek a physiatrist and pt who have an understanding of acm /sm to guide your efforts .. Walking with good athletic shoes ( I use gel pad inserts too ) is pretty safe ....addaptive yoga stretches ( work out with the pt whats ok for you ) ...feldecrase ( sp ? ) movement work ... or technique movement work are both good sources of learning better body mechanics that may help reduce muscle discomfort ...and taking it a bit easy while you fully sort out your situation seem best limmits to me . Warm water exercise may help lots too ...but be careful about swiming itself ....the impacts to your arms /shoulders /neck may be too much ...side stroke often seems the best actual swiming stroke till your doctors clear more ....exercise below an aerobic level in a pool without arm weights and avoiding that actual swiming should be fine ...I find a pool heated in the low 90's best ( often available through a rehab center or an arthritis focused program ) . Hope thats a bit helpful ...its hard to find guidlines for this ..but while diagnosis is being sorted out , and until a physiatrist or neurosurgeon who knows acm /sm is guiding your care , I feel its better safe than sorry ! in Paradise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 8, 2002 Report Share Posted March 8, 2002 please post to group, I would be interested in exercise tips. I cant go to the gym anymore either and I miss it. >>> " Reynolds " 03/07/02 07:36PM >>> Ok, as a little bit of background on myself for those I haven't talked to yet, I'm 26 years old and living in Buffalo, NY. I was diagnosed with Chiari and Syringomyelia last week after close to a year of neck and shoulder pain finally prompted my orthopedist to have an MRI done. I've since been referred to a neurosurgeon and I'm still waiting for my first appointment with him (3/21). Anyway one of the hardest things for me to accept has been the limits this is placing on any kind of athletic activity. I am pretty much a gym rat, up until a month or so ago I played basketball a couple times a week and did weight training 4-5 times a week. Well last time a played basketball I had the worst headache I've ever had the next day, so I know I can't do that anymore, at least not until after I talk to the NSG. And I've stayed away from the weights just to be on the safe side. But it's very frustrating to me. I know it seems trivial but this was a pretty significant part of my life. I almost feel like after putting so much work in to staying in good shape that now I just wasted my time. So I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions about what type of exercises are safe and what to avoid. I was thinking of going back to the weight training and just going really light on the weights, and cutting out anything that puts a strain on my neck. Is that too risky? I also would greatly appreciate any suggestions anyone has on stretching. I was following a pretty rigorous stretching routine before all of this. Now I feel like I am starting to get pretty stiff, especially in the upper body, neck/shoulder area. But I know I need to avoid anything that could hyper-extend my neck. So if anyone has any ideas on stretches that would be beneficial but safe, please let me know. God bless, _________________________________________________________________ Join the world's largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail. http://www.hotmail.com Help section: http://www.yahoogroups.com/help/ NOTE: NCC refers to posts with No Chiari Content To Unsubscribe Yourself: chiari-unsubscribe WACMA Home: http://www.wacma.com WACMA Online Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/chiari/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 8, 2002 Report Share Posted March 8, 2002 > please post to group, I would be interested in exercise tips. I cant go to the gym anymore either and I miss it. > I try to walk as much as possible....I still play tennis, although I have modified the ole' game a bit <g> One form of conditioning exercise that I find to be good is Pilates. It was a system of exercises that was initially developed as a rehabilitative program for ballet dancers in the 20's...... There is information about it available on the net. I have a " home machine " ....it's neat that your neck, shoulders are supported for most exercises. Again I have modified or eliminated some that do not do this. It interetsing in that it strenthens as well as helps with flexibility. Pilates can and should be done quite slowly...it is not ballistic at all. Just thought that I would mention it... Sally R....ACM....Decompression '91...Hydro....VP shunt...2 revisions...No medications...Doin' well in Bethlehem,Pa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 8, 2002 Report Share Posted March 8, 2002 > please post to group, I would be interested in exercise tips. I cant go to the gym anymore either and I miss it. > I try to walk as much as possible....I still play tennis, although I have modified the ole' game a bit <g> One form of conditioning exercise that I find to be good is Pilates. It was a system of exercises that was initially developed as a rehabilitative program for ballet dancers in the 20's...... There is information about it available on the net. I have a " home machine " ....it's neat that your neck, shoulders are supported for most exercises. Again I have modified or eliminated some that do not do this. It interetsing in that it strenthens as well as helps with flexibility. Pilates can and should be done quite slowly...it is not ballistic at all. Just thought that I would mention it... Sally R....ACM....Decompression '91...Hydro....VP shunt...2 revisions...No medications...Doin' well in Bethlehem,Pa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 8, 2002 Report Share Posted March 8, 2002 > please post to group, I would be interested in exercise tips. I cant go to the gym anymore either and I miss it. > I try to walk as much as possible....I still play tennis, although I have modified the ole' game a bit <g> One form of conditioning exercise that I find to be good is Pilates. It was a system of exercises that was initially developed as a rehabilitative program for ballet dancers in the 20's...... There is information about it available on the net. I have a " home machine " ....it's neat that your neck, shoulders are supported for most exercises. Again I have modified or eliminated some that do not do this. It interetsing in that it strenthens as well as helps with flexibility. Pilates can and should be done quite slowly...it is not ballistic at all. Just thought that I would mention it... Sally R....ACM....Decompression '91...Hydro....VP shunt...2 revisions...No medications...Doin' well in Bethlehem,Pa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 8, 2002 Report Share Posted March 8, 2002 , I'm with you. I was also a real gym rat, not much for weights but basketball all the time and ran and biked, and I've not been able to do much of that lately. Keep as active as you can comfortably with low impact type stuff, swimming's pretty good if you're not sprinting or something. Good luck! Darren Reynolds wrote: Ok, as a little bit of background on myself for those I haven't talked to yet, I'm 26 years old and living in Buffalo, NY. I was diagnosed with Chiari and Syringomyelia last week after close to a year of neck and shoulder pain finally prompted my orthopedist to have an MRI done. I've since been referred to a neurosurgeon and I'm still waiting for my first appointment with him (3/21). Anyway one of the hardest things for me to accept has been the limits this is placing on any kind of athletic activity. I am pretty much a gym rat, up until a month or so ago I played basketball a couple times a week and did weight training 4-5 times a week. Well last time a played basketball I had the worst headache I've ever had the next day, so I know I can't do that anymore, at least not until after I talk to the NSG. And I've stayed away from the weights just to be on the safe side. But it's very frustrating to me. I know it seems trivial but this was a pretty significant part of my life. I almost feel like after putting so much work in to staying in good shape that now I just wasted my time. So I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions about what type of exercises are safe and what to avoid. I was thinking of going back to the weight training and just going really light on the weights, and cutting out anything that puts a strain on my neck. Is that too risky? I also would greatly appreciate any suggestions anyone has on stretching. I was following a pretty rigorous stretching routine before all of this. Now I feel like I am starting to get pretty stiff, especially in the upper body, neck/shoulder area. But I know I need to avoid anything that could hyper-extend my neck. So if anyone has any ideas on stretches that would be beneficial but safe, please let me know. God bless, _________________________________________________________________ Join the world’s largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail. http://www.hotmail.com Help section: http://www.yahoogroups.com/help/ NOTE: NCC refers to posts with No Chiari Content To Unsubscribe Yourself: chiari-unsubscribe WACMA Home: Http://www.wacma.com WACMA Online Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/chiari/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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