Finger Motor Disorders (FOCAL DYSTONIA)among Musicians

About 30 years ago, I myself experienced a finger disorder----my right middle finger kept curling inside etc, as the result of the too much practice within a short period. I was really frustrated when I played. I examined the problem and took care of the troubling spot with acupuncture and moxibustion.
In the course of doing so, I occasionally played tentatively, but the finger remained numb. I was afraid I would have to give up playing Guitar once and for all. Then I made up my mind not to play until it would be completely cured.After 8 months of continuous therapy(while not playing), function was fully restored in my finger and I was able to play as freely as before.

Tendons are located at the ends of muscles, where they are bunched together for strength and hardness. When the sheaths that enclose the tendons are swollen with extreme friction, they become inflamed and the end result is "tendovaginitis".
Inflamation will cause pain and eventually the affected area will grow thick by swelling. Movements will become difficult, sometimes a sudden strech of the affected area could result in a particular popping sound made by the affected tendons.
Overuse of the muscles over a long period could also result in similar afflictions .
There are various conditions in "tendovaginitis". The finger motor problems among string-instument players can therefore be categorized under the term of "Overuse syndrom".

Finger problems associated with pain are generally caused by sudden overuse. Such cases are relatively easy to be cured by resting properly and by an appropriate therapy.

If a player puts the strain on their fingers by practicing just short of causing an acute inflammation, the muscle used by those movements tires and stiffens(from too much using the lactic acid accumulating inside) much like in some occupational disorders. The muscle loses suppleness and shrinks(atropmies) -----this stage is generally called"stiffening tendon".
This first single stiffness will most likely cause another one and tend to develop into the aggravated case, where the blood circulation is disturbed and the patient feels the languidness in the arm. In the prolonged cases, the stiffness could be also seen and felt in the neck and the shoulders .
This could eventually cause a motor disturbance. A player himself quite often does not realize what is going on. He can not even understand why he is unable to play properly. He just wonders if it is because of lack of practice or he is suffering a finger disorder caused by too much practicing. So he goes on until the problem becomes really serious.
For example, a finger curling(FOCAL DYSTONIA) in or springing out without pain should be considered quite serious. Those cases should be taken care of properly, thoroughly and most of all patiently.

There are many things that can make it difficult to determine whether or not it is "true dystonia" or other muscle/nerve issue with similar symptoms.In my clinical experience, “true dystonia” is seen about 10% of the time. The other 90% of cases are a “mock dystonia” with similar symptoms.Way to distinguish between them, does not purport diagnosis in modern medicine has been established.
"True dystonia" has origin in the brain. Incorrect messages from the brain result in involuntary movements such as convulsions. We can replicate “true dystonia” by stimulating the brain and spinal cord.
"Mock dystonia" is not a phenomenon such as the above. The muscle’s rigid state of is caused by overuse. It is assumed the muscle remains healthy and strong.
Only dystonia associated with the brain is considered a true dystonia. Unless you have imaging of the brain you cannot determine true dystonia.
It takes a considerable amount of time for improvement of symptoms. Often patients give up on treatment when no changes in symptoms can be seen after a long period of time. However, if the patient takes the time and effort to remedy this condition it does get better in 70% of cases. Cases are best treated by an experienced practitioner. A practitioner with ability to explain treatment and progress to patient will have higher success rate.
In my treatment, first determine what is the root of the problem. I use Hara (stomach) diagnosis, to determine which spot has Qi stagnation and which area has pain. I will adjust my treatment to those points. That is only part of the treatment. I also find Qi and blood stagnation area in affected arm, find the places where there is low Qi and blood. I treat to those points specifically. Look at difference between beginning condition and current condition as treatment weeks go on. I watch the case progress and compare each week to original condition. I do not use special pressure points, blood vessel or nerve system, but treat only patient condition. It is very dependent on patient condition and best to alter treatment for their specific case. I also compare the healthy arm and hands with the affected arm and hands by palpating (touch). By locating problem in affected arm I am able monitor affected arm and healthy arm over course of treatment to bring body into balance. Find the part of the body that is stagnant for Qi and blood, after weekly stimulus to that area you will be able to watch progress of the condition. That's why I have no text to recommend which point to treat, I do not have specific rules for you to follow because treatment must be for individual patient.

●1984 May Additional Special Issue, An arranged musical note "Let's Play Popular Guitar"
●1985 August Issue, An article "A Basis to the Flawless Scale" within a feature "Polish up the scale"
●1993 August Issue, An article "A Guide to Tendovaginitis" within a feature "Make the Scale Technique Perfect"
●1996 August Issue, An article "How to prevent Tendovaginitis"
●1999 July Issue, An transcribed & arranged musical note "Thema from SCHINDLER'S LIST"(Corrections are added in the August Issue)
●2012 Spring Issue Vol.52, An article "The Body Maintenance" on Acoustic Guitar Magazine by Rittor Music inc.
●2015 March Issue, An arranged musical note "Je Te Veux"by Erik Satie