Yes you can and we encourage it! There is no additional cost for ongoing counseling. Those who stay in close touch via phone and email tend to do better in the recovery process. There are no dumb questions, and both I and our nutritional counselor are at your beckon call.

No, you can eat a normal diet with few restrictions. We simply give you guidelines to help you help your body to be more receptive to the recovery process.

Yes, you can. Most of our clients are on such injections when they begin the program. The upside is that it minimizes both spasms and pain and so makes it easier for you to do the exercises and to travel if you are an in-house client. The downside is that it tends to make you a bit numb so that it’s more difficult to monitor your body’s reaction to the exercises, but I feel the advantages outweigh that disadvantage.

Yes you can, and we encourage you to always confer with your medical professional regarding when to cut back on your meds as this natural program begins to take effect. Please see our Related Links page for the list of No-No medications!

No. You are simply here to learn and receive encouragement, and you can do that lying on the floor if need be. We tailor the program to each client’s ability and comfort level, however you always baby-step your way into the program. Less is more..

ST is sometimes included in a Physical Therapist’s curriculum during their training, however, it’s easier to comprehend what ST’rs have to endure and to know what is helpful and what is harmful if you have actually suffered with the condition. Some PT techniques that “work” for normal people often are not helpful for those with ST but then again much of Physical Therapy is helpful. So much depends on the therapist.

Generally they also have not been trained to work on ST’rs, and again, some of the techniques they use with normal clients are not always appropriate for ST’rs, but massage in general is wonderfully helpful if you have ST. You may request our free massage letter written by S.T.R.C. Board member and LMT, Reese Myra Murphy. She has developed a massage specifically for ST. Email us to request the letter. You may then share this letter with your Massage Therapist. Also, see our Related Links page on this site; the first thing you will see is a short video. The last 5 or 6 minutes is a nice massage demo by Reese. Reese has also published a book on Toritocllis Massage with DVD. see info at torticollismassage.com

Various prescription and over-the-counter drugs, Botox and surgery (specifically Selective Denervation and Deep Brain Stimulation). All of these carry risks and side effects. We frequently get calls from ST’rs who have had either Selective Denervation or DBS (or both) who still need help overcoming their symptoms. Some of our clients have also tried other modalities such as chiropractic, acupuncture, biofeedback, traditional PT and massage therapy. Traditional crack and pop chiropractic will often worsen S.T. Each person needs to examine the options and make a decision that will be the most effective in the long term. Our philosophy is that it’s important to choose a treatment that will support a recovery and not simply cover symptoms, and a treatment that is healthy, risk-free and that works in harmony with the body’s desire to heal itself.

Yes we do, but we require a release in writing from your Doctor, to do this program. However, we prefer to enroll clients before they have resorted to surgery. Our past experience has indicated that it is more difficult to reach a state of ongoing recovery once there has been corrective surgery.

That is hard to specifically determine, because some clients do not stay in touch, however what I’ve observed over the years is that, for the most part, those who dedicate themselves to the program and are determined and consistent do come into an ongoing recovery, that they then maintain by simply making this program a lifestyle. I often compare this reprogramming of the body to learning a new sport or a new musical instrument. How many people who take music lessons get good enough to perform? Those who practice every day. The brain needs time to learn to work with the body, and it takes many months to elongate the muscles and reorder posture to the point where the brain and body recognize the new normal as normal. You still have ST, but it can be driven into dormancy so that you can lead a normal life, free of drugs and Botox. We also have clients who give up and quit the program and so don’t achieve their goal. You have to be stubborn and keep at it until you get results. The irony is that once you are into recovery and maintain that, you will be in better health than some of your friends who never had ST, because you’ve been forced to exercise and take good care of yourself on every level.