Have my first PT appt in the morning. The script says traction. Is that safe for chiari? I’m not sure if the therapist knows much about chiari.
Nikki, this one I don’t think is a one size fits all… People with a basilarinvagination do well with traction, but unless you know if you have it I would be very cautious with traction. I worry to think of someone who may have hypermobile joints doing this. The mayfield clinic says no to traction
http://www.mayfieldchiaricenter.com/chiari_Treatments.php
I am seeing Dr Henderson in a week, I will ask him his opinion if you like.
My first round of pt, before I knew I had CM, made my symptoms worse. I don’t know if it was the traction or the neck Streatching though. Please don’t Streatch your neck very much - go super conservative with that part.
I’m interested to see what others say.
Jenn 
No to the traction! I believe that Chiari and instability are contraindicative for cervical traction. The physio will no doubt be too unsure about a Chiari diagnosis anyways. Good luck!
Fifteen years before I was diagnosed with Chiari I, I was rear-ended by a drunk driver. It was just a tap on my bumper, but my neck was so stiff that physical therapy was prescribed. I did one round of traction, and by that same evening, I could not turn my neck to the left or right. Two days later, second round of traction. I did not think it possible but I was in much more pain.
The PT decided that that traction was not working for me, and I completely agreed! The real problem was not whiplash, but the CM, but at the time, no one was looking for that on MRI. I have had PT prescribed many times since then, but never let anyone use a traction modality on me after the first experience.
I agree with gabby.......No traction!
Pam