Functional dystonia in musicians: rehabilitation

Abstract

For functional dystonia in musicians, rehabilitation should be principally psychomotor, including psychotherapy based on analysis of the personality and a global physical education of the corporal scheme--it is a compartmental reeducation. From the time of onset, it is of great importance to the musician that the mechanism at the origin of the problem be understood and analyzed. For the therapist, the principal goal is to identify the multiple compensations that mask the real dysfunction. When the musician and the therapist agree on the real cause of the dystonia, it becomes evident that an anatomopathologic explanation using simple vocabulary is as efficacious in the treatment as is the physical therapy. Beginning to rectify abnormal postures and reeducation of the impaired motions then can begin with a whole range of techniques, using specific exercises, stretching, and removable ortheses.