Dystonia Bulletin Board

I absolutely agree with you. I have had PT with a 'regular' physical therapist and then about 2-3 months with a PT trained in neurological physical therapy (as for MS and Parkinson's etc). The neurological PT was such a blessing for me. I was standing straight and even walking with more ease (I have generalized dystonia) than I had in years and years.

Mainly a PT literally used her hands and fingers 3 times a week to stretch muscles and ligaments and tendons that were contracted. It was not too uncomfortable and we chatted the entire time. I also practiced walking and standing straight in front of a mirror (what a help that is when I do not have any clue where my body is in time and space).

I also benefitted from speech therapy at the same place.

And then my insurance refused to cover any of it and I had to quit. I did manage to get orthotics made and fitted before I had to leave. This was back in 2001, I believe.

The only problem I could foresee was that the manual stretching would have had to be done on a regular basis as contractions occur naturally due to dystonia which of course is still a part of me.