Musician’s Focal Dystonia
If you’ve made it to this page, you’re probably looking for answers to a devastating condition called Musician’s Focal Dystonia. You may have been told a particular story: that recovery is impossible, that your career is over, or that your only options for moving forward are medical interventions. I know that story well. It was told to me many times during the agonizing weeks and months after my symptoms first emerged and many times since. Luckily, thanks the power of the internet and my stubborn will to continue playing, with only a little research I came across a different narrative, one that is growing in influence: that recovery is possible via the phenomenon of neuroplasticity. Whatever the scientific consensus on the cause(s) of MFD turns out to be, what has been proven beyond a doubt is that our brains can be changed through intentional practice, and that has been the key to my recovery and my work with others.
In the fall of 2019, after over a year of searching for solutions that ultimately proved insufficient, I met violinist Sophie Till through a friend of a friend. I called her for a lesson, and what ensued was not only my recovery from MFD, but the discovery of an entirely new approach to the viola. My immersion in this system of playing, called the Till Approach, continues to this day in my work with the Till Project, my one-on-one work with dystonia clients, and above all in my own playing. Beyond recovery, which in itself may seem miraculous, by far the greatest gift of this information has been the ability to solve technical and musical problems in an efficient and durable way and experience much more ease in my playing. I don’t just play as well as I did before the injury—I play better.
How Does Recovery Work?
Some basic information about the brain (presented by a non-expert): there are neural pathways the brain must travel down to achieve a certain result, be it tying our shoes, eating an apple, or playing octaves. Logically, these pathways get more and more entrenched with use: the ones we use are strengthened, and the ones we neglect are gradually forgotten. In dystonia, for reasons that are not yet clear to scientists, these familiar pathways (which we can call “Route A”) have become dysfunctional. Therefore, for a movement-based rehabilitation strategy to work, the task consists of throughly and progressively constructing an alternative pathway, a “Route B.”
For the resulting recovery to be complete and durable, this process involves giving the brain and body new “blueprint experiences” that gradually accumulate to form a complete pathway to the music. This process starts at the ground level with the standing or seated posture and the holding of the instrument, and passes through all of the necessary movements needed to produce a particular technique or passage of music while remaining completely on Route B. Crucially, the movements that comprise Route B are derived exclusively from the “library” of physically logical movements we use in daily life. Because Route B isn’t simply an arbitrary alternative pathway, but a ultimately a more stable and attractive one for the brain and body, they gradually learn to prefer it to Route A. And as Route A falls into disuse, the brain and body seek it out less and less.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I do this work on my own?
The short answer is “probably not,” or with great difficulty. When the brain and body have become confused enough to manifest dystonia, the likelihood of our finding or devising a viable Route B through trial and error, or even through watching videos, is small. We need someone to guide us through what physically logical movement actually looks and feels like and how it’s organized in order to start putting the pieces together.
How do lessons work?
In a fully personalized, one-on-one environment, the teacher guides the student through the process of accessing and solidifying the Route B movements one by one, in accordance with the brain and body’s signals and a logical sequence of learning. In-person lessons are always beneficial (and in some cases indispensable), but most of my teaching is online. To keep the brain from getting off track in between sessions, weekly meetings are recommended, although bi-weekly can also be effective.
What other support is available?
I make myself available between lessons via email, text, and WhatsApp; students can send questions and videos, reach out for support when they’re feeling frustrated, or share their discoveries. There is also a monthly Zoom support call for anyone going through this recovery process. Finally, the Till Project hosts live events (in-person and online), boasts a YouTube library of foundational content, and features a warm and supportive community of people eager to learn this information in order to facilitate injury recovery or simply take their playing and teaching to a new level.
How long will it take?
After, “Is recovery really possible?”, this is probably the most burning question on dystonia sufferers’ hearts and minds, and for good reason. Unfortunately, there are no easy answers, and promising a timeline that can’t be guaranteed is ultimately a violation of trust. In my case, after two years of weekly lessons I felt ready to resume my professional activities. Many people have recovered to their satisfaction in less time than that, and some require more. In my experience, the more we’re able to see the path we’re on as a journey to optimal functionality—a path that reaches the threshold of “dystonia recovery” and then keeps going for as long as we remain committed to it—the more we’re likely to embrace the process and stick with it when things are tough.
How much does it cost?
My current rate for a one-hour lesson is $90USD, although I am able to offer discounts on a case-by-case basis. Please contact me to inquire.
Where can I find out more?
Sophie and I have created an onboarding video designed to give prospective students a sense of what’s involved. If after watching it you’re ready to get started or have further questions, feel free to send me a message.
