Highly individualised care for you
Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder that features involuntary and unwanted movements and spasms.
It can affect a particular part of the body such as the neck, the hand, the jaw, the larynx or the face.
The problem is diagnosed by a neurologist who will often prescribe medication and offer botox (botulinum toxin) injections. Frequently, people have the injections every 3 months or so as a way to control and lessen the symptoms.
Together with medical management are many ways that you can seek to improve your movement, ease your symptoms and live a better life. That’s what we focus on.
How does dystonia affect you?
People describe different experiences. The most common involve difficulties with moving and navigating the world. Considering that the way we move shapes the environment that we perceive, dystonia can present a number of challenges wherever we find ourselves. This can result in reduced activity levels and disconnection with things that matter.
Depending upon the area(s) of the body that are affected, it can be difficult to walk straight, to balance, to move around objects, to turn and look, to hold tools, to write, or to pick up small items. It is easy to see how dystonia can creep into all aspects of living.
Further, dystonia can affect the way you feel and how you view ourselves. Fear and anxiety can build, together with self-consciousness when going out. Some people avoid socialising for this reason, thereby missing out on important times with friends and family.
You will have their own story of dystonia that I will encourage you to tell me about when we meet. From there we can look at the way forward.
What can you do?
There are many practices, exercises, strategies and tools that you can use to better your movement control, build your confidence and improve your life.
With guidance, encouragement and practical tools, we look at the ways you can reconnect with what matters to you. Often this is done gradually as we widen your choices, focus on your goals and how to achieve them.
I am here to teach you these skills and practices so that you understand them and can use the tools in your world to get results and make a difference. This is together with useful treatments to ease symptoms.
How I help you
Once we have clarified what you want to achieve, aligned your expectations and painted your picture of success, we create the daily steps you need to take.
- Understand your experience of dystonia and the influences upon movement in your life; e.g./ stress, anxiety, intention expectation, the environment, other people.
- Create a highly individualised programme of training, exercise, tools, strategies and practices that help you achieve your goals and to deal with the challenges along the way.
- Strategies to manage specific situations, e.g./ work, social settings, particular activities, re-starting hobbies.
- Support, encourage and guide you forwards.
Your sessions
Initially, we meet to talk about your experiences and the ways that dystonia is affecting your life. This is your opportunity to tell me your story so that I can listen and understand what you have been going through.
Then we look at the way the dystonia is presenting by examining your movements and performing simple tests of co-ordination and body sensorimotor control.
From there we can start to create your holistic programme.
Follow-up sessions give us the time together that we need to address your concerns, answer your questions, problem solve, progress your programme and deliver treatment if indicated.
I do not prescribe a number of sessions as this is very individual. The focus is upon your needs.
After each session you will receive an email with all the key points regarding the practices, exercises, tools and strategies.
Coaching
Coaching is the approach I take to helping people.
It means the focus is on you as a person and your lived experiences, your strengths and potential to shape a positive future.
Coaching is the way I guide, encourage, empower, educate and support you on your forward-looking journey, helping you achieve success.
I first suffered from Dystonia in January 2013 when I overnight developed fairly severe tremor causing my head to turn to the left. It took some time for this to be diagnosed, and eventually treated with Botox injections at 3 month intervals.
I have had regular physiotherapy sessions with Richmond Stace since just after that time, who has also provided guidance in mindfulness. The physiotherapy has prevented my frame from becoming distorted and been key in maintaining mobility and the mindfulness is particularly helpful in getting good quality sleep and dealing with pain without medication.
I live a fairly normal life without any significant constraints – I keep up an exercise regime and enjoy regular cycling.
As soon as I started sessions with Richmond, I immediately noticed the benefits. I’ve only seen him four times so far but the investment has been well worth it and it’s setting me up for a lifetime of health and happiness.”
I had to send this e mail as I wanted to personally thank you for helping me through a couple of very painful and anxious periods, one four years ago and one just a few weeks ago. Not thinking either time I would come through.
Your kindness and ability to understand exactly how I was feeling both times and your amazing advice and useful tips helped me enormously. You have professionalism, patience and a jolly good sense of humour that allowed me to totally relax and share my difficulties so easily. Even having a tear or two and a few laughs.
Your useful on going tips by e mails and always being on hand to send an e mail to, kept me very confident in my progress. I would recommend you to anyone struggling without hesitation.
So thank you again so much for “seeing me right”.
Locations
The Chelsea Consulting Rooms
2 Lower Sloane Street
London
SW1W 8BJ
132 Harley Street
London
W1G 7JX