Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~
One of the two messages I want to communicate is that this is an opportunity to make significant and positive changes for yourself. For me, this was the greatest challenge of my life. It forced me to take a deeper look into who I am, what I'm doing in the world, how I'm treating myself and others. Remember there is beauty in crisis, whatever the crisis may be.
My second purpose is to say that it is so important to consider other means of treatment for our affliction and not immediately jump into decompression surgery. No matter what symptoms you have, how many millimeters your cerebellar tonsils are herniated or if you are dealing with related conditions: Surgery is not the only option and doesn't have to be your first choice (this isn't to say that if you've been decompressed you can't do these things. Not at all. Upper cervical work can still help and you can still find your own path towards healing and rebalancing).
I was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation Type 1 in March 2012. Instead of choosing decompression surgery, I found an effective, gentle alternative for treatment through NUCCA (National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association), and along with an ongoing wholesome diet, exercise, meditation regime, and other spiritual and emotional work, I am, for the majority of the time, symptom free.
Try a gentle approach first and give your body the time it needs rebalance and assimilate your C1 (atlas) alignment via NUCCA or other upper cervical adjustment technique, and any lifestyle changes. Get acupuncture to help holisitically balance the body, get tested for food intolerances, have blood panels completed to uncover any deficiencies or imbalances such as for autoimmune disorders. Regarding lifestyle changes, eat whole and fresh foods (eliminate junk food altogether and eat more vegetables than meat), drink plenty of water, take walks and stretch if you can, and rest! While resting, try affirmative internal messaging and meditation to help your mind and spirit stay positive, and practice mindful breathing.
Throughout my acute phase in 2012, every day (really, every minute of every day) I strived to shift my negative thought patterns and stress into something productive. I turned an imbalance into balance. It was a tremendous amount of work, but the result is far beyond what I could have envisioned for myself. I am a much healthier person emotionally and feel so much more stable and happy than even before 2012.
My goal with this site is to provide information that is not readily accessible in the mainstream and is vital to your decision making and wellbeing. And, hopefully, bolster courage and resolve to make great changes in a person's life who is living with Chiari Type 1 chronic pain. Making positive changes for yourself leads to positive changes to the community and by extension to the world.
This website is dedicated to the people living with Chiari Malformation Type 1 and any associated issues. I know the frustration, the myriad and long list of symptoms that are felt every hour of every day, the intense worry and the fight to ward off depression.
To healthy and vibrant days,
Nikki