How musician Ryan Thomson beat his focal dystonia disability!

[RusRPGamer]

You are my hero!

[kajok23]

Thanks for this video. I'm a guitarist and I'me also suffering from dystonia from the right hand (the one wich is holding the pick)... Chris (Lyon-France)

[4stringjoe]

@kajok23 Best of luck to you with getting back to playing your guitar!

Ryan

[kajok23]

@4stringjoe Thanks a lot :)

[piotrdunne]

Hi Ryan, I'm a traditional Irish fiddler currently in treatment after brain tumour last fall.At the t time of diagnosis and since then, I've had focal distonia in the left hand. Like yourself my bow hand is not affected but fingers on left hand are unco-ordinated. Watched your video with interest and will visit your site shortly and will be in touch then

Terry

[4stringjoe]

Hello Terry,

Yes, please get in touch, and use the email address on my web site. I've got some ideas.

Ryan

[4stringjoe]

Good Job Sebastian. We are both fortunate that we were able to overcome focal dystonia! It does take some work, but we found our cure. I am so happy to be making music and teaching others.

[SebastianDavidMusic]

Neurologist know very little about this condition but yet, they dare to tell us without hesitation "You have an incurable disease" and we dare to believe them!!! come on!!!! I got cured, it's not.

Regards!!

[curiousgeorge555]

You are very inspiring! So glad you beat your condition. ~cg

[VoodooTheChild]

Thank you my friend. I just recently found out that I have focal dystonia and I play the guitar. I was very sad and depressed as well. But your video gives me hope makes me realize that there are others out there as well with this condition.

[4stringjoe]

I wish you the best of luck in finding a way to move forward despite your disability! We are not alone, and I sincerely hope that the hard won successes that myself and others have obtained will encourage those in similar situations to persevere in finding their own solutions. best, Ryan

[hotmen23]

sir im a begginer im left handed...

its is easy to learn to violin ever my teacher is right handed?

[4stringjoe]

If your teacher is willing to teach you to play left handed you will have no problem. You will do exactly the same motions with your bow and fingers as someone who plays right handed except that it will most likely be easier for you to play left handed since you will be bowing with your better coordinated left hand. If you have more questions about this please send me an email to the address on my web site. best, Ryan

[MoebiusTripper]

I also have focal dystonia, but in my left ring finger...I am a flamenco guitarist....Have you tried a shot of "Botox" in those back muscles? The shot may prevent those muscles from tightening up.

[4stringjoe]

Thanks for writing. In my case, switching to left handed was a perfect drug free solution, and I have returned to a professional level of playing. I'm aware of both successes and failures in the use of Botox by musicians, depending upon the nature and location of their dystonia and the skill and experience of the doctors who treat them. Botox has only a temporary effect and must be reapplied regularly. Best, Ryan

[aleksozolins]

Way to make lemonade!

[4stringjoe]

Thank you for writing. I want to show only the good and positive things in my videos. Its true that I was unhappy when I could no longer play right handed, but I don't want to dwell upon my misfortune and demonstrate my physical problem. I would rather like to show that I have overcome my disability, and that I can now play violin left handed. I have posted many videos of both my right handed and left handed playing. I complement you for the fine solution that you have found for your playing!

[turbofoquer]

it 's great that you share your experiences in FD. i was classical guitar player and i had not the will to re teach myself... now i learn to play jazz guitar... i 'm quite happy. why not you showed how is your down "arcada"?

[iamJROD]

I know how you feel, I love classical guitar too. Hybrid picking does help,and for some people the thumbpick does too.