Has anyone done yoga once they have had decompression surgery? I am almost 12 months post op. I am currently doing beginner yoga, nothing advanced like headstands etc. Has anyone else tried this to aid recovery? How far did you get? How did you get on with poses that have you upside down ( downward dog etc)
Thanks in advance for any replies
Hey Doris,
After neurosurgery (not decompression surgery) I haven’t tried yoga, although I trialled other ‘alternative’ treatments ie acupuncture, Bowen therapy, manipulative physiotherapy, hydrotherapy etc. For me personally, upside down is a big no, no. I’ve found if I get my head lower than my heart my symptoms multiply 10 fold. I know that’s an issue for me, so avoid it. If you know your triggers and manage around them, you can avoid being in a position that may trigger symptoms.
I would certainly recommend asking your medical team as it seems everybody’s surgery and resulting side effects can be very individual. For some a ‘downward dog’ may not be an issue, yet for others it could be super risky.
It’s best to get the answers you seek from the people who know your personal situation, as there could be some heavy duty consequences. Please speak to your medical team.
Merl from the Modsupport Team
Thanks for the reply, much appreciated. I have emailed my consultants secretary (nhs over here so don’t always get a reply), if they don’t reply, my 12 month post op is due soon so will ask then.
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So I’ve contacted my consultant and have been told that I have no restrictions, if a pose is uncomfortable, I will know to stop and just build up gradually. I’m very happy with that - haven’t done a headstand since school so am looking forward to having a try!
Thanks for the reply and advice, it has been very much appreciated.
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That’s great Doris, if the medicos are OK with it all, that’s your first obstacle overcome.
The 2nd obstacle will be you and you’ll learn your signs as you go along. You just need to manage ‘today’, what maybe OK today maybe near impossible tomorrow. I have found that pacing myself is paramount, all of my ‘normal’ tolerances have changed, I’ve had to find my ‘new normal’ and that’s been a challenge.
Slow and steady is best, then build from there.
Merl from the Modsupport Team
Thanks for the advice Merl, it’s been really helpful. Yes, downward dog seems ok, I can lean forward and almost touch my toes but still struggling with lying flat and lifting my pelvis. My ENT consultant said the yoga will help so I’m keeping my fingers crossed - Ménière’s disease is really the only thing that’s holding me back now. Each session is different and like you said, what’s ok today, might not be ok tomorrow.
This is a great site and really helped me when I was diagnosed with Chiari and syrinx - thank you
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I don’t believe my situation was Ménière’s related, but my balance was/is a mess. Initially, wow, just awful. Now, I still have balance issues, but I’m aware of it. In saying I’m aware, I still have days when I go to move, I get the dizzies and find the floor, THUD, more often than not if I can feel the precursor of it coming and can grab a wall before I hit the floor.
I know with some balance issues there can be an issue with the alignment of the tiny crystals within the ear. There are a group of exercises patients can do to help re-align those crystals and for people with such issues these exercises are beneficial, but when it comes to neurology there can be other factors not hearing related, although hearing is affected. I had this sound like I was wear wet sports shoes, slosh, slosh. Like I had fluid rushing from one ear to the other with each step. VERY disconcerting.
Merl from the Modsupport Team
Hi Merl
Yes, I’ve had the eply manoeuvre done and it has worked. Ménière’s disease is balance and sudden onset of vertigo. It was only after I’d had my decompression that I realised that the vertigo episodes were exacerbating the the chiari headaches because of the vomiting and straining when being sick. It was a night mare - I had 35 episodes of vertigo in 1 year.
I get the whooshing in my ears and tinnitus. I know when my hearing is low and tinnitus is loud, it’s the Ménière’s and I take double meds to keep my balance.
It’s good to chat to someone who has experience of this. It’s not until you have been through it that you know what it’s like!
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Hey Doris,
I completely agree and that’s why we’re here.
I mentioned all of this to the neuros and they give me ‘That look’, that ‘I’m listening but I don’t really believe you’ type look… Yea, I know. Or my favourite line ‘Ohh, it can’t be THAT bad…’ At times it really does make you question yourself. It was a real ‘PHEW’ moment when I first found Ben’s Friends and other members having very similar experiences with it all ‘So, I’m not the only one having these oddball symptoms…’ Prior the medicos made out it was all me. Turns out some of these side effects are much more common than they’re willing to acknowledge.
Merl from the Modsupport Team