hi all,

i had a burning sensation around my shoulder blades about 3 yrs ago now. This prompted me to go to the chiropractor who after a few sessions and xrays where nothing was determined sent me for an MRI. A syrinx in my T6-7 was found, small...I think 2mm. It is idiosyncratic as far as we know as I don’t have Chiari and there’s no tumor or structural damage to my spine. When I went to the neurologist he basically  told me any surgery to the inside of my spinal cord was too risky without really dibilitating symptoms (I agree). He suggested I avoid any activity that may strain my spine (cue eye roll...so everything?!) and get a follow up MRI every 6 months (sure, I can afford that lol especially here in America). He offered me gabopentin which is a nerve pain medication. I asked for any suggestion for natural, more holistic, options for treatment/pain mgmt...he said none of it is proven effective (cue another eye roll). The medical community too often aren’t concerned with really helping, but rather liability and getting $$$. So I never went back and haven’t since. Why pay for an MRI to see what the syrinx is doing because even if it’s growing (which knowing that it is will make me super anxious) they won’t do anything about it unless the symptoms become severe. So something I noticed was how the more sedentary I was, the more it hurt. Running started lessening the burning...within a couple weeks...with no help from the expensive neurologist...I researched holistic methods and began trying. The first thing that alleviated the nerve pain was acupuncture (only $25 a session where I go). I have very rarely experienced any burning since my FIRST session. I began running and doing yoga. I also changed my diet to reduce inflammation. I get massages when I can afford (as low as $30 with a Groupon). A couple years ago I got a new symptom that the cardiologist (yes I was afraid and saw a cardiologist) said was anxiety but I’m convinced has to do with the syrinx...heart palpitations and a slight sinus tachycardia. He gave me a beta blocker which helped because heart palpitations while trying to go to bed are no good (terrifying in fact). I started meditating and doing deep breathing...it decreased a lot but honestly I still have them from time to time. I workout regularly and I mean weight lifting and all...I don’t have a whole lot of symptoms but I believe it’s because of my efforts and I’m sure some luck that it’s not more severe like I see on some posts. I am a borderline hypochondriac so when I got diagnosed with this I really thought it was a death sentence. I wanted to post to tell people you can take some calculated risks that may help, you can do things you used to do and be active with a syrinx and to please try some various pain mgmt techniques that aren’t just surgery or medication (I do understand this is necessary for some).