Other than surgery, what treatments work for your ACM symptoms?
I was diagnosed with ACM in 2002. I'm sure you can imagine that I've been seen by many doctors and specialist, and treated with everything on the market, except surgery.

I treat my symptoms with massage therapy, EXERCISE, ( yes, exercise), and hot and cold packs.
I do not tolerate narcotics.
I'm considering a Tens unit for my neck and shoulder pain.
I'm just wondering what everyone else takes or uses to keep their pain under control.
Thanks!

Hi gmbbmom! I'm interested to know what your symptoms are and what exercises you do that help.

I, also, do not tolerate most meds well. I hate medication and try to avoid it at all costs. I'm sure it's because of my experience with a medication that my old neuro put me on 11 years ago for "headaches" (before chiari dx) and I've been on it so long that my heart is used to it and I NEED it now. So frustrating. I do not like being dependent on a medication.

My main symptoms are neck, head and face pain. Sever dizziness. Palpitations (just gonna blame this on chiari because at this point there is no other explanation, although I'm wearing a holter monitor as we speak because they've gotten so bad). Facial numbness and burning sensation. Intermittent numbness and prickling in hands, feet and a patch on my leg. And my newest symptom (and annoying one) is tremors in my right hand/fingers. And a ton more. But the only pill I will take is an 800 mg Ibprofen when my headache and pain is bad. When the dizziness or vertigo is sever all I can do is lay down. Not because it necessarily helps but because it just safer. And I'm a Realtor, so when I'm feeling really bad, if my husband is home and able, he is my driver. That's worked out a few times lately. I'm not sure what I'll do if I have something scheduled while he's at work. When my neck pain is really bad and affects my upper back and shoulders I go to my Chiropractor. Now before anyone out there yells at me... I DO NOT HAVE HIM CRACK MY NECK!!! Absolutley not!! And he knows the damage that can do and actually knows about Chiari. I've been through many chiro's. But he will just do the therapy on me. Such as the tens unit (which I used to have myself at home and would like to get another) and the ultrasound & light therapy. And my most favorite is the massage therapy. It does help relieve some of the tension caused by my neck pain. Other than that, I suffer through. Or should I say I have been suffering through but have come to a point of not being able to take much more. Now I have a new neuro who is exploring the MS route again as he isn't so sure that I have Chiari. I'm pretty sure it's not MS (even though I've been told that all my life) and pretty sure it's Chiari. But we shall see what the new MRI says.

I hope you are having a pain free day!