The Oversensitized Nervous System: Why Symptoms Fluctuate
Living with dystonia, or any chronic condition, places the nervous system under continuous pressure and strain. When symptoms are unpredictable or uncomfortable, the brain learns to stay on high...
The Quiet Anger: Processing the Emotional Toll of Chronic Health Conditions
Living with chronic pain or other health conditions is, in many ways, an exercise in perpetual, involuntary mindfulness. For those of us navigating long-term conditions—like my own twenty‑five‑year journey...
When Your Brain Won’t Quiet Down: A Look at Dystonia and Anxiety
One of the hardest things about living with dystonia is trying to explain what it feels like on the inside. People often see (not always for some) the muscle...
How resilient are you? Probably more than you think and give yourself credit
Having lived with chronic pain and involuntary muscle contractions from a neurological movement disorder called dystonia since 2001, I felt defeated many times. But I am still here battling...
5 lessons nature taught me about living with pain and dystonia
I’ve always been a nature lover. I like nothing better than going for a hike in the woods or strolling along the beach or gazing at the mountains –...
The value of living with tremendous challenges
If you got past the title without rolling your eyes or getting angry (I understand if you did either or both as you will see below), I hope you...
Finding the proper pieces for better health and life balance
Not too long ago, my girlfriend and I did a 500-piece puzzle over a period of a weekend. It was not a remarkable feat, but this is the first...
What is dystonia and what does it feel like?
September is Dystonia Awareness Month, so I want to share this information to help educate and make others aware of this life-changing condition. It is often very difficult to...
If you live with pain or other chronic conditions and have anxiety and fear, it is not your fault
Having lived with a life changing health condition called dystonia since 2001, I have learned some really tough lessons about myself, other people, and life in general. When it...
Listening to our body to help reduce pain and anguish
Having lived over 20 years with pain from dystonia (a neurological movement disorder) in order to best manage my condition, I have to be very mindful of the way...
The different things that help my dystonia the most – In a nutshell
I have had cervical dystonia since 2001. It was very severe for many years, but over time I have been able to gain significant control over my symptoms using...
Don’t let your obnoxious pain get under your skin
If you live with pain, you know how debilitating and life changing it can be, and how it can dictate your entire days’ activities, as well as your moods....
Thoughts about suffering to help break through pain and misery
Most things in life don’t always go as expected. None of us ever truly prepares for a hardship that throws our life off course. Even in the case of...
