Hi , I've been reading here for a while and folks look so supportive and very honest with q& a & sharing experinces so I decided to join. I have Chiari 1 10 mm hernation found out about 6 yrs ago when my arm kept having nerve pain after a minor car accident. My Dr was concerned sent me to a neuro surgeon with Mri results in hand two days after his findings. That was seriously a 10 min appointment. The guy looked at me & said there are those that would operate on this dont do it. I said what about my headaches,neckaches & arm pain,he suggested my Dr treat me with medicine. I went home read about it.It scared me so I tried to not think about it.My arm pain did not cease,my Dr tried lots of meds,physical thearpy,a neurologist referal who did a carpal tunnel test & said I have it mildly in both hands and sent me on my way.Then I fell slipped backward on ice landing on the back of my head & upper back. I was scanned in the Er they said just heaving bruising, but missed a fractured vertebrae in the upper back found that out after it had healed. Anyhow that fall marked a difference for me painwise my arm & shoulder pain got worse,I eventually sought out another neurosurgeon at Cleve. Clinic. He did a complete exam didnt order new mris or any other tests he said Surgury is not a cure,sometimes makes things worse and should be reserved for if the condition progresses to a life threatening situation,which may not ever happen. Deal with symptoms with medication,& whatever thearpy gives you relief. I know if I went to a Chiari center I would be able to get the surgury.But the surgeons word in Cleveland clinc that day stuck in my mind and I did alot of web searching for all the relief stories I found many who werent relieved.So I feel confident in treating symptoms making the best of life,keeping a good attitude and only taking the surgury path if it gets to a point where benefits & risks are equal, or pain becomes totally disabling. Which believe me there are times I feel that isnt far away,& other times I can get significant relief lasting weeks. So thats my long story Im 45 & we just found out my daughter has this as well she is 26 and has only a slight herniation but gets headaches, balance problems,neck pain.She is content to treat the migraines.