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Dystonia is a movement disorder that causes the muscles to contract and spasm involuntarily. The neurological mechanism that makes muscles relax when they are not in use does not function properly. Opposing muscles often contract simultaneously as if they are “competing” for control of a body part. The involuntary muscle contractions force the body into repetitive and often twisting movements as well as awkward, irregular postures.
To learn about focal dystonia, dystonia and the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation please visit:
http://www.dystonia-foundation.org
Facts about dystonia and focal dystonia:
* Professional musicians are susceptible to a variety of specific occupational injuries, including task-specific focal dystonia.
* Hand dystonia and embouchure dystonia (which affects the mouth, cheeks, jaw, and tongue) are the types of dystonia most often diagnosed in musicians.
* Playing the instrument triggers the muscle spasms. The spasms are not usually present at rest.
* Musicians may perceive the early symptoms of dystonia as the result of faulty technique or lack of sufficient preparation.
* Treatments vary depending on the part of the body that is affected, but usually include altering the way the instrument is played. Medications and/or botulinum toxin injections may also be appropriate.
* By definition, musician’s dystonia is almost always focal and does not spread to affect additional parts of the body.
* Musicians With Dystonia (MWD) is a program of the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation implemented to acknowledge the unique challenges facing affected musicians.
Dystonia Medical Research Foundation- Founded in 1976, the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (DMRF) is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to serving all people with dystonia and their families. Since its inception, the DMRF has grown from a small family-based foundation into a dynamic membership-driven organization led by a Board of Directors and network of volunteers with personal connections to dystonia. Because dystonia hits so close to home for our directors and volunteers, the DMRF leadership is motivated by an unrelenting drive to find a cure and an unwavering commitment to serving people affected by dystonia.
To learn about focal dystonia, dystonia and the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation please visit:
http://www.dystonia-foundation.org
Facts about dystonia and focal dystonia:
* Professional musicians are susceptible to a variety of specific occupational injuries, including task-specific focal dystonia.
* Hand dystonia and embouchure dystonia (which affects the mouth, cheeks, jaw, and tongue) are the types of dystonia most often diagnosed in musicians.
* Playing the instrument triggers the muscle spasms. The spasms are not usually present at rest.
* Musicians may perceive the early symptoms of dystonia as the result of faulty technique or lack of sufficient preparation.
* Treatments vary depending on the part of the body that is affected, but usually include altering the way the instrument is played. Medications and/or botulinum toxin injections may also be appropriate.
* By definition, musician’s dystonia is almost always focal and does not spread to affect additional parts of the body.
* Musicians With Dystonia (MWD) is a program of the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation implemented to acknowledge the unique challenges facing affected musicians.
Dystonia Medical Research Foundation- Founded in 1976, the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (DMRF) is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to serving all people with dystonia and their families. Since its inception, the DMRF has grown from a small family-based foundation into a dynamic membership-driven organization led by a Board of Directors and network of volunteers with personal connections to dystonia. Because dystonia hits so close to home for our directors and volunteers, the DMRF leadership is motivated by an unrelenting drive to find a cure and an unwavering commitment to serving people affected by dystonia.
