Ignacio Alonso

I was diagnosed with focal dystonia in my right hand in May 2006. It affected several activities of daily living, such as typing on the computer or shaving, and completely disabled me from playing the piano.

Like many affected musicians, at first I was given pills and injections of botulinum toxin, which didn't do much good. After several years I decided that I had had enough of the medication.

By chance I found the page of the Institut de l'Art and I chose to start the treatment with them. It is a hard and long treatment in which it is essential to follow the instructions of the physiotherapist. There are times when it seemed that I was not making progress or when my spirits were low. This can be a reason for some patients to give up. In my case, perseverance was rewarded and, almost a year and a half later, I was discharged.

I believe that the recovery process should be seen as an opportunity to improve, not as a fight against an illness. Forgetting how things used to be (this is very important) in order to reach the goal, which is none other than regaining control.

I want to especially thank my physio Sílvia Fàbregas and Dr. Jaume Rosset for helping me overcome this disorder, which is as hard and frustrating for a musician as focal dystonia.