February 27, 2026
Angela (Kesler) Santoro’s life was full of adventure.
The 2018 Trine University Doctor of Physical Therapy graduate’s career included stops in her native Alaska and in northern California. Each location offered new experiences, particularly in the outdoors.
But that changed on June 9, 2025.
“I began to experience an extensive catalog of debilitating symptoms,” she recalled. “The action-packed life I thrived in came to a devastating stop as I was catapulted into functional loss. I was in and out of hospitals and bedridden for four months.”
‘Devastating’
With symptoms including vision and hearing loss, weakness, involuntary muscle movements, difficulty breathing, unstable vital signs, bowel and bladder dysfunction, temperature intolerance and constant pain, Angela struggled to find a cause.
“Disturbingly, I was repeatedly dismissed and my symptoms downplayed by healthcare providers,” she said. “Going to the doctor became devastating.”
Multiple MRIs finally revealed she has syringomyelia, a rare disorder caused by a syrinx, a cyst filled with cerebral spinal fluid located in the spinal cord or brain stem.
“A syrinx in the spinal cord interrupts critical neurological pathways that communicate and connect the brain and body,” Angela explained. “Once that communication pathway is disrupted by a syrinx, it no longer functions appropriately.”
No cure, few treatments
There is no known cure for the disorder. Angela said because syringomyelia is so rare and often misdiagnosed, there are few proven treatment options.
In an effort to help develop interventions, Angela is treating her own case with pulse electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF) and cryotherapy and recording the results.
“I am objectively monitoring blood pressure, heart rate, heart rate variability, activity level and subjective pain levels before and after treatment and the days in between,” she said. “I have been making pretty significant improvements so far and my pain level is way down.”
“I am very optimistic that this will be a valid treatment intervention proven with science to help others shrink their syrinx conservatively. I will get another MRI at the end of the year to remeasure the syrinx size. I’m hoping to publish this case study when it’s all done.”
She is on disability leave from her work as a physical therapist until her symptoms improve. Her days consist of physical therapy, “listening to my body, eating healthy and not pushing into pain so my body can heal.”
Syringomyelia advocacy
In the meantime, Angela has begun advocating for herself and others with syringomyelia.
She has become a board medical advisor for the Syrinx Awareness and Athlete Coalition (SAAC), a nonprofit organization that advocates for further comprehensive research into root causes and risk factors, early diagnosis and less invasive treatments.
“I think is important for the public, especially the medical community, to recognize this diagnosis so that people can get appropriate care and not worsen their condition,” she stated. “As a health care provider myself I can strongly attest this is REAL and these symptoms are connected. I’m super motivated to find some answers for this condition.”
“No matter what hardship in life you are going through, you must stay positive and persevere, because that is half the battle!”
Trine University joins many across the nation in mourning the death of Lou Holtz, who served as a trustee at the university from 2011 to 2017 in addition to his distinguished career as a football coach and broadcaster.
Three administrators from Trine University’s College of Graduate and Professional Studies (CGPS) will share their success with using technology to support significant growth in an upcoming national webinar.
Trine University Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students and faculty presented research at the American Physical Therapy Association’s largest national conference, the Combined Sections Meeting, held in Anaheim, California, Feb. 12-14.