Is there really a cure?
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If you talk to many neurologists or health professionals about musicians’ focal dystonia, they will often tell you that there is no known cure for focal dystonia. Advice to “change your career” or “try a different instrument” is often quoted. The reason for this is that many doctors do not have much experience working with musicians or treating musicians’ focal dystonia, therefore, many do not realize the range of treatment and therapy options that are now available, or the implications that a change in career would mean to a musician.
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Many musicians are unfortunately left demoralized, anxious, confused, and feeling depressed. In many cases they are left to deal with a diagnosis of a condition that they may never have even heard of before, on their own, not knowing where to turn. However, the good news is that there are now several promising treatments and therapy options available that can help to treat musicians’ focal dystonia. Whilst there is no quick fix to make focal dystonia go away, successful recovery through retraining and rehabilitation is very much achievable. Many highly publicized stories of recovery have been published in recent years including virtuoso pianist Leon Fleisher, guitarist David Leisner, and oboeist Alex Klein.
A diagnosis of focal dystonia is most definitely not a life sentence, there is an ever-increasing network of medical specialists, therapists, and movement retrainers that can help. For those reading this who are currently struggling with symptoms of the condition, remember that you are not alone and that recovery is possible. Be patient, don't panic, and seek help.
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