Focal Dystonia: Dr. Joaquin Farias?
Alcibiades
but that it could lead to it if not addressed. Therefore I'm studying
the matter. I've come across this:
http://www.musicians-injuries.com/index.htm
Any of you have read his book, seen his DVD, or know someone who he's
treated? Let me know whether his methods are sound.
I learned of him here, by the way:
Steven Bornfeld
May I humbly suggest you consult a hand surgeon rather than attempting
medical guidance here in the barnyard?
Good luck,
Steve
Alcibiades
wrote:
> May I humbly suggest you consult a hand surgeon rather than attempting
> medical guidance here in the barnyard?
From what I've read so far, it seems that the mainstream medical
community is largely ignorant about fd. At any rate, rest assured that
I'm taking other measures besides posting here.
Sam
@e25g2000prg.googlegroups.com>, jackso...@hotmail.com says...
> I'm now pretty certain that my problem is actually not focal dystonia,
> but that it could lead to it if not addressed. Therefore I'm studying
> the matter. I've come across this:
>
> http://www.musicians-injuries.com/index.htm
>
> Any of you have read his book, seen his DVD, or know someone who he's
> treated? Let me know whether his methods are sound.
I have his book, his DVD and I have corresponded with him and people who
have studied with him. I have had FD for about 8 years - it is a big and
complex subject, largely unknown or misunderstood and most of the
research into it has only happened in the last ten-fifteen years or so.
Consulting a neurologist with experience of FD would be a good first
step, but be aware that many still see FD as 'incurable' and may advise
you to give up the guitar. Most general doctors would not have clue - I
know far more about the condition than my GP.
Farias claims astonishing results and has published a study with
impressive figures. He is not a doctor, but a biomechanics expert who
specliases in musicians' injuries.
Whether his methods are 'sound' is not something that anyone can judge -
it is early days. Some neurologists would argue that as FD is a
neurological disorder that cannot be treated, then Farias' success means
he is not actually helping FD sufferers but something else (a circular
argument of course). The mounting numbers of people helped by him though
are hard to ignore.
However, most of the successful therapeutical interventions and research
into FD *are* behavioural. As well as Farias work you should Google
Victor Candia and Nancy Byl to look up Sensor Motor Retuning and Sensory
Re-education techniques. Medical interventions, like Botox, only really
tackle the symptoms without reversing the disorder.
Joaquin Fabras, another Spaniard who is based in Madrid, is also having
astonishing results with FD - do a Youtube search for focal dystonia and
you will find his before/after videos. The videos of those flamenco
guitarists will be sobering viewing if you 'think you might' have fd.
Read the archives of the musicians' dystonia board and you will discover
a lot more than asking here, where you may stumble across one or two
people who know something about it. FD is still a rare disorder.
My own situation is better now than it has been for years, if for some
reason this improvment does not continue this year I will have no
hesitation seeing Farias.
There is a lot more I could say about all this, hopefully that helps.
Steven Bornfeld
Good. Don't believe everything you see and half of what you hear.
Steve
Lutemann
wrote:
Good advice. You might get horse manure on the surgical instruments.
Besides, who the hell knows what Jackson's problem actually is. I
advised him a long time ago that at his stage of development he
should play easier pieces, but he never listens to anybody. He claims
to know everything because, like George W., he has the word of god on
his side. Here's some advice Jackson, why don't you just ask god to
fix your hand and see how far you get with that. Or better yet, pray
to god in one hand and shit in the other and see which one fills up
faster.
ktaylor
Here is some blunt info on the musical demographics of FD.
The most common FD sufferers are pianists. The right hand being six
times more affected that the left and 7 times more affected than both.
The second most common instrumentalist is the guitarist. The right
hand is affected about 5 times more frequently than the left.
For strings woodwind and brass the left hand is more often affected.
In a recent study males were more affected by a ratio of 4:1. Prior
studies indicated 2:1.
The pathophysiology of FD remains unclear. FD has been replicated in
monkeys through repetitive hand motions.
Candia's treatment is practice alterations. Also immobilizations of
the distonic digit has shown to be helpful.
There is no evidence of improvement in musician's FD (which differs
from other FD expressions) through surgery or botox.
Kevin Taylor
Arthur Ness
Boston Symphony in a performance of Beethoven's Emperor Concerto. It
was quite an emotional experience for a number of reasons. At nearly
80 years Fleischer is one of the last of that great generation of
pianists which included performers like Arthur Rubenstein. There is a
wonderful suppleness in their playing, with subtle, affective twists
in interpretation. It was also an emotional experience because for 30
years Fleischer suffered from focal dystonia which effected his right
hand. He was limited to giving recitals of piano music for the
left hand alone. His return to Symphony Hall was a very special
welcome home.
I have known two musicians whose careers likewise stopped short as a
result of hand infirmities, and it is a terrible experience. (Both
were pianists who graduated from Curtis, one entering at age twelve.)
Of
course these days there are specialized departments which treat these
ailments. One is the Department of Performing Arts Medicine at the
School of Medicine at the University of California at San Francisco.
For many years the department was headed by Dr. Frank R. Wilson. His
book, which is a description of ailments of the hand, and not recipes
for cures, is a fascinating read. He even has few words to say about
our Pat O'Brien who had to find his own cure before there were
specialists. Anyway, the book is a fascinating read:
Wilson, Frank R. _*The hand: how its use
shapes the brain, language, and human culture*_
New York : Pantheon Books, c1998.
Also see Dr. Wilson's web page: http://handoc.com/
=====AJN (Boston, Mass.)=====
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*Vaughan Williams'_ Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis___*
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===================================
"Sam" <m...@nospam.co.uk> wrote in message
news:MPG.22445a3a6...@news-text.blueyonder.co.uk...
ktaylor
I wonder why a post on FD turns into a slam against another's faith?
It is obviously annoying to you and others in this newsgroup that
Jackson strives towards that end and expresses it. It is no differrent
than Jez's expression of his athiesm or MT's expression of his
Buddhism. Ignoring another's evangelism is easy.
Obviously Jackson's god is not a god of magic tricks - a very
primitive notion that he has never expressed but you, in your self-
imposed limited understanding, project on to him. Why are you so
compelled to frame another's understanding in such a derogatory way?
Luteman IS Kent Murdick, personality disassociative attempts to the
contrary.
Kevin Taylor
Steven Bornfeld
>
>
> I wonder why a post on FD turns into a slam against another's faith?
>
> It is obviously annoying to you and others in this newsgroup that
> Jackson strives towards that end and expresses it. It is no differrent
> than Jez's expression of his athiesm or MT's expression of his
> Buddhism. Ignoring another's evangelism is easy.
>
> Obviously Jackson's god is not a god of magic tricks - a very
> primitive notion that he has never expressed but you, in your self-
> imposed limited understanding, project on to him. Why are you so
> compelled to frame another's understanding in such a derogatory way?
>
> Luteman IS Kent Murdick, personality disassociative attempts to the
> contrary.
>
> Kevin Taylor
I feel I am much clearer about what Kent is about than what Jackson is.
Of course, I've had so much longer to get to know Kent!
I don't claim to speak for Kent, but I don't see his post as a slam
against any faith Jackson may genuinely hold--not a bit.
Steve
Steve Freides
news:6d337833-7c46-4c5e...@e25g2000prg.googlegroups.com...
May I humbly suggest you read Musicophelia?
http://www.amazon.com/Musicophilia-Tales-Music-Oliver-Sacks/dp/1400040817
It discusses, among many other things, musicians who have or were
thought to have this disorder. It's a fascinating book in any event.
-S-
dsi1
> Here is some blunt info on the musical demographics of FD.
>
> The most common FD sufferers are pianists. The right hand being six
> times more affected that the left and 7 times more affected than both.
>
> The second most common instrumentalist is the guitarist. The right
> hand is affected about 5 times more frequently than the left.
>
> For strings woodwind and brass the left hand is more often affected.
>
> In a recent study males were more affected by a ratio of 4:1. Prior
> studies indicated 2:1.
>
> The pathophysiology of FD remains unclear. FD has been replicated in
> monkeys through repetitive hand motions.
>
> Candia's treatment is practice alterations. Also immobilizations of
> the distonic digit has shown to be helpful.
>
> There is no evidence of improvement in musician's FD (which differs
> from other FD expressions) through surgery or botox.
>
> Kevin Taylor
Interesting, however you're missing critical information. How prevalent
is this condition? What are my chances of getting this? Thanks.
david
John LaCroix
>
> - Show quoted text -
You are assuming Jackson believes in God. His pronouncement's aside, I
don't think I have a good sense of
any of his true beliefs and personally only trust about 15% of what he
says, I think most of his
posts exists for the sole purpose of yanking people's chains,
regardless to claims to the contrary. Of course, this is the internet
so do we really know anyone? Still, I sense that many hear are
genuine, but Jackson remains an enigma.
John L.
Alcibiades
> In article <6d337833-7c46-4c5e-97fc-59134a597ee0
Sam, many thanks for the thorough answer. Do you know how yours
developed? Too much tremolo, for instance?
Yes, I've seen those scary videos. Luckily, I'm not even close to that
kind of dysfunction. I'm in the very early stages and plan to nip it
in the bud. I have an appt. with my guitar teacher tomorrow, who has
cured full blown cases of fd.
Alcibiades
wrote:
How about we focus on the topic at hand, and forget about me for a
change?
David Raleigh Arnold
It must be pointed out that the guitarist exerts far more force with
muscles of the left hand than with the right, and that the piano
requires much more endurance in the large finger muscles than the
guitar. This shows that the problem has nothing to do with strength
/per se/ and that therefore the idea of relaxing certain muscles is
crackbrained. Selective relaxation is most likely a large part of the
cause of FD, and not the cure.
I had a root canal yesterday, and had to stop because of muscle pain in
the jaw. When the procedure resumed, I made an effort to keep the jaw
relaxed and I had no problem. Relaxation is great when you want *not* to
do anything muscular, but it is a lousy idea if you're looking to get
anything done. It is slowing down and full attention that helps get
things done, not relaxation.
daveA
--
Playing "as written" is paying attention, not being a fanatic.
Efficiency is a shadow which follows effective practice, a
consequence, not a cause. Therefore, seek beauty, not her shadow.
Tension is an asset to be managed by tempo, not an obstacle to be
overcome by relaxation.
Your autonomic nervous system has millions of years of experience. It
is much smarter than you. Therefore, never try to hunt down
individual tensions and relax them. Slow down instead, and all will
be well immediately.
Skill is strength and control. Relaxation produces neither.
Tension is never dysfunctional. It always makes you stronger, and
that's what it's for, doing its job. If you refuse to slow down and
let it help you, which is the only way to manage, moderate, and profit
from tension, the tension is not dysfunctional, you are dysfunctional.
(Of course most initial gains of strength are in learning to apply
what strength you already have.)
The primitive part of the brain that makes you tense cannot tell a
lack of ability from physical weakness, so tension is its response to
its perception of weakness. Slowing down is the only way to instantly
have more control. Relaxation techniques are nothing more than lying
to yourself about your skill level. Your brain is not fooled. It is
best to be true to yourself.
Moderate tension by moderating its cause. Its cause is perception of
weakness. Relaxation does nothing for that. By slowing down you can
not only moderate it but you can fine tune it and put it to work for
you.
Opposing muscles do not relax. Instead they tighten, to actively hold
your joints together, so all physical action is very like driving a
car with one foot on the gas and the other on the brake. You do not
have the ability to control movements effected by individual muscles,
because there are no such movements, so efforts to relax individual
muscles can only be done in a gross, careless and sloppy manner, and
such efforts will achieve nothing.
Trying to improve efficiency by eliminating "dysfunctional" tension is
like telling someone he should learn to run before he can walk, or
trying to repair a Swiss watch with hammer and chisel, or trying to
relieve constipation by covering yourself with xxxx.
email: darn...@cox.net (put "poisonal" anywhere in subject)
DGT: The best technical exercises for all guitarists.
http://www.openguitar.com/dynamic.html. Original easy solos at:
http://www.openguitar.com. :::=={_o) David Raleigh Arnold
Jez
"Alcibiades" <jackso...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:6d337833-7c46-4c5e...@e25g2000prg.googlegroups.com...
>
As I'm programmed to be polite, I'll ask...
Will you give us notice of your Death as well ?
--
Jez, MBA., Country Dancing and Advanced Astrology, UBS.
'Politics is the entertainment branch of industry.'-Zappa
Mark & Steven Bornfeld
>
> How about we focus on the topic at hand, and forget about me for a
> change?
How could we ever truly forget about YOU, Jackson?
Steve
--
Mark & Steven Bornfeld DDS
http://www.dentaltwins.com
Brooklyn, NY
718-258-5001
ktaylor
I don't know the answers to those important questions. As FD becomes
mmore well known, I have been hearing it diagnosed in more and more
guitarists. One doesn't knwo if those diagnoses are correct but it
seems like a real ailment that will affect a certain percentage of
guitarists. I have read that it is 1) age related 2) disposition
related 3) technique related 4) trauma related.
The data is my previous post came from an article from Jabusch and
Altenmuller on the Epidemiology, phenomenology and therapy of
musician's cramp.
Kevin T.
Mark & Steven Bornfeld
>
> It must be pointed out that the guitarist exerts far more force with
> muscles of the left hand than with the right, and that the piano
> requires much more endurance in the large finger muscles than the
> guitar. This shows that the problem has nothing to do with strength
> /per se/ and that therefore the idea of relaxing certain muscles is
> crackbrained. Selective relaxation is most likely a large part of the
> cause of FD, and not the cure.
>
> I had a root canal yesterday, and had to stop because of muscle pain in
> the jaw. When the procedure resumed, I made an effort to keep the jaw
> relaxed and I had no problem. Relaxation is great when you want *not* to
> do anything muscular, but it is a lousy idea if you're looking to get
> anything done. It is slowing down and full attention that helps get
> things done, not relaxation.
> daveA
>
I was ready to say this made no sense, but on second reading it does.
It sounds paradoxical to make an "effort" to relax, but as in so many
muscular actions this requires reciprocal relaxation and contraction of
different muscle groups. Of course many patients carry a great deal of
tension into the dental chair. Opening the mouth requires the
relaxation of the elevators of the mandible and contraction of the
depressors of the mandible. Many patients CAN learn to do this. It is
sometimes easier for long procedures to use a mouth prop, but this can
also lead to muscle spasm.
Hope everything went well.
David Raleigh Arnold
It did, and there was a mouth prop, and a muscle spasm. The relaxing was
not slowing down while chewing, it was stopping action altogether. The
point is that I was trying to relax but not to chew at the same time. If
I were trying to chew at the same time, the result would not have been so
good, and in the same way, relaxing while playing is not good.
Relaxation is necessarily passive. It is done by slowing down, or
stopping altogether, not searching for 'tensions' and relaxing them.
daveA
--
Playing "as written" is paying attention, not being a fanatic.
email: darn...@cox.net (put "poisonal" anywhere in subject)