Chronic neck pain is a significant problem for the Chiari and syringomyelia community. Research has shown that neck pain can lead to a decrease in overall health and chronic pain in general is linked to a host of ills, including high blood pressure and the early aging of the brain.

While up to 25% of the general population may experience neck pain at some point, most primary care physicians use over the counter medicines, like Tylenol or NSAIDs, sometimes in combination with physical therapy, to treat it. Unfortunately for Chiari patients, these treatments are often inadequate and provide short-term relief at best.

Previously, this publication has reported on a number of alternative therapies for neck pain, including acupuncture and botox. In the last few years, another type of therapy has begun to be used outside the US and is gaining popularity with professional athletes (both in the US and worldwide). Low level laser therapy (LLLT) uses a small power laser to direct infrared light on painful spots.