Check the Chiari topics you are interested in. 

Click on the button to read the FAQ (frequently asked questions) and find Dr. Singel’s answer.

A Chiari malformation type I (CM-I) diagnosis can feel overwhelming. What does it actually mean? Why does your MRI report use confusing terms like “low-lying tonsils” or “borderline ectopia”? And how do you know whether your symptoms and scan findings actually line up?

Chiari I does not look the same for everyone. Some people have mild, occasional symptoms. Others deal with constant headaches, dizziness, fatigue, neck pain, or brain fog that affects nearly every part of the day. It can be hard to tell which symptoms are “normal for Chiari,” which might come from something else, and when to be concerned.

After the diagnosis comes the harder question: What does this mean for my future? Many people with Chiari I worry about getting worse, becoming disabled, or eventually needing surgery—especially when symptoms come and go unpredictably.

MRI reports are some of the most confusing parts of a Chiari I diagnosis. Terms like “syringomyelia,” “CSF flow obstruction,” “crowding,” and “low-lying tonsils” appear on your report, but what do they actually mean for your health and your future?

Not everyone with Chiari malformation type I needs surgery—and even for those who might someday, there is a great deal that can be done right now without an operation. Conservative management means using every available non-surgical tool to reduce symptoms and protect your quality of life.

Living with Chiari I is not just about test results and doctor visits—it is about how you move through every day. Many people want to know what is truly safe: Can I lift my kids? Is it okay to garden, hike, or travel? What about driving with dizziness, flying, or working long hours at a desk?

Many people with Chiari I notice symptoms that are hard to describe—and even harder to find answers about online. You may wonder whether the ringing in your ears, the feeling of being “on a boat,” trouble swallowing, persistent brain fog, or strange sensations in your hands and feet are related to Chiari or to something else entirely.

For many people with Chiari I, it is not the Chiari alone that determines how they feel—it is the combination of conditions alongside it. You may have heard terms like Ehlers–Danlos syndrome, POTS, dysautonomia, intracranial hypertension, tethered cord, or mast cell activation syndrome and wondered how they connect to your Chiari and how thoroughly your doctors should be looking for them.

Pregnancy and family planning raise unique concerns when you are living with Chiari I. Will pregnancy worsen your symptoms? What are the safest options for labor and delivery? How do menstrual cycles, birth control, and menopause affect how you feel? And is your family at higher risk?

A Chiari I diagnosis does not just affect your body—it can reshape how you see yourself, how others see you, and how you navigate the world. Many people struggle with feeling dismissed, explaining an invisible condition to family or employers, and balancing hope with realistic expectations.

One of the most hopeful questions after a Chiari diagnosis is also one of the trickiest: Is there anything I can do myself to feel and function better? Many people want practical guidance on how to move, exercise, work, rest, and structure their days in ways that respect their Chiari but still support a full life.

Chiari I can touch every part of your emotional and relational life. It may change how much you can do in a day, how you connect with a partner, family, and friends, and how you think about your future. Many people worry about being a burden, losing parts of their identity, or wondering whether they can still date, enjoy intimacy, or make long-term plans.