Hello all,
I may have several eggs thrown at me after I share my opinions (and again, they're just mine...so it's all good). Also please note that this is in regards to those that only have SM. Not CM.
I've been told that Chiropractic is a no no. And I agree. Do you think's good practice to get your back and neck cracked? Yikes. We really don't want to do anything that will piss our bodies off.
Now here's the deal, I have a syrinx. I'm 34. I found out about it when I was 32. Mine is located between my C5 - 7.
I have experienced the pain of my syrinx ever since I can remember. Because I never knew what a syrinx even was, I didn't even know anything was really wrong with me. I'm not a complainer for one, so I just thought that having shoulder, arm, hand and finger pain was something everyone went through. When I did complain, I heard people say "Maybe you slept funny".
At any rate, because I didn't know about it, I continued to live a great and happy life through my teens, twenties, and even now my 30's.
I did gymnastics, cheerleading, skiing, running, tennis, you name it...
In short, I didn't let my arm pain bother me.
So, since I've been diagnosed and now know what I have, I just pay closer attention to what sets me off.
I know that if I go skiing, I will suffer with arm pain.
I know that if I go for a run, I will suffer with arm pain.
But, it pisses me off (excuse my language) when my mother won't let me dive into a pool. I'm not a disabled person. My dad is disabled with MS. Perhaps she fears that I will automatically turn into a vegetable if my neck hits the water wrong, but seriously now...I've been diving into pools since I was six. I think I've got it covered.
So, I guess what I'm trying to say is if hockey makes your son happy, then let him do it. Is it a risk, certainly. But, if he finds that he can make it through a game getting checked a couple of times and he feels how he would previously feel after a game, then he's in good shape. If he finds that his body is not bouncing back properly or experiences a lot more pain than usual, then it's time he consider another sport.
I know everyone worries about their children, but worrying about things that might not even happen is a waste of energy.
Again, I'll never forget my mother reading on one of the syrinx webpages something like, "20% of patients with a syrinx will die before the age of 48" and becoming a nervous wreck over it. My response to her was, "Yeah, that means you and I both run a much higher risk of dying from the flu." Haha. It's true though!
Also, all the webpages out there talk about how rare SM is. I don't really believe that it is. Is everyone all over the country expected to get mandatory MRI's like Mammograms for women above 40? No. I'm willing to bet there are many kids all over the place who have arm pain that aren't complainers and could possibly never know that they have SM.
It's all about attitude. As an adult, I know what my body is capable of and what it's not capable of. If I care for myself appropriately and avoid the things I know hurt my body, I know I'll live a nice healthy and long life.
If you, your wife, or son are having trouble digesting the news of him getting a syrinx, I strongly suggest you read the book "You Can't Afford the Luxury of a Negative Thought", by Peter McWilliams. It will help you put things into better perspective.
Warm wishes and good luck,
Courtney