#Spasmodic torticollis

[sunnycanwrite]

Ik you said your asks are open to answer questions about your hcs, but I feel the need to share my disability hcs bc I never get to do that 👍👍👍

Dick has spasmodic torticollis since he was a child due to injuries he sustained while learning trapeze acts. Stretches and sensory tricks help him the best. He also gets hand tremors and headaches due to the torticollis too. He has a bracelet that he can tap thatll send a notification that he needs assistance to his friends&family. Jason is usually the first one to respond nowadays.

Jason also has spasmodic torticollis, but it didn’t happen severely until later in his life. He was able to get his phone and call Dick, who immediately came over with a neck warmer, a support pillow, and a little print out of good stretching Jason can do if it happens again. Jason now has a bracelet too :)

Why I think this? Projection 👍

Projecting into the batfam is my favorite thing! I love your headcanons!

[cashthecomposer]

Right now, I can't turn my head. My neck is frozen in place. This is because of a neurological condition that was exacerbated by a major trauma last year. There's a good chance I may need surgery for this because all other measures have failed me. Please consider supporting my Patreon to help me out because I just had to cancel lessons for today, my source of most of my income (lost about $300 of expected income), and I may have to cancel lessons tomorrow and the day after too, so I really need help. Thanks.

[haroonhameedmd]

Common Medical Uses of Botox Injections

Most people know that Botox injections treat facial wrinkles. However, they have medical uses beyond their cosmetic applications, such as treating chronic migraines and cervical dystonia.

Both cosmetic and medical botox contain onabotulinumtoxinA, a specific type of neurotoxin that works on the nervous system to relax the muscles. Secondary to these effects, medical professionals have used them to treat chronic migraines which respond favorably to relaxation of the muscles around the neck and skull. Chronic migraine patients refer to adults who experience more than 4 headache episodes lasting over four hours in their lifetime. The relief from these injections can last up to three months.

Also, medical professionals have used Botox injections to treat cervical dystonia or spasmodic torticollis. The condition consists of abnormal contractions of the neck muscles, causing the neck to twist. In some patients, cervical dystonia can cause the head to tilt to one side. Medical professionals use the injections to treat this condition in patients above 16 years old.

Furthermore, Botox can help relieve muscle stiffness or spasticity, which often occurs in the arms, hands, legs, and feet muscles. An unchecked increase in muscle tone is typically caused by spasticity, leading to severe issues with walking, talking, and other activities in some cases.

[yashmedica]

Cervical Dystonia: Understanding Treatment Options & Market Trends (2024 Update)

Everything about Cervical Dystonia! Explore treatment options, latest market trends, advancements, and top companies shaping the future of cervical dystonia management

Cervical Dystonia: A Look at the Market and Treatment Options Cervical dystonia, also known as spasmodic torticollis, is a neurological movement disorder characterized by involuntary contractions of the neck muscles. These contractions cause the head to twist, tilt, or turn to one side, often causing significant pain and discomfort. While the exact cause of cervical dystonia remains unknown, it…

[977b]

Conquering Cervical Dystonia: The Power of Intramuscular BOTOX Injections

What is Cervical Dystonia?

Cervical dystonia, also referred to as spasmodic torticollis, is a painful neck disorder characterized by the involuntary contraction of neck muscles. This disorder can also result in the uncontrollable tilting of the head, either forward or backward. Cervical dystonia  can sometimes cause involuntary muscle contractions to spread to adjacent areas of the body such as the face, jaw, and arms. Additionally, those affected by cervical dystonia may experience the development of bone spurs that reduce the space in the spinal canal; this is often associated with sensations of numbness or weakness in the extremities. While it can affect anyone at any age, it is a rare condition that is most prevalent in middle-aged women.

Cervical dystonia currently has no known cure, and while the condition can sometimes resolve on its own, long-term remissions are rare. However, injecting botulinum toxin into the affected muscles can often alleviate the symptoms of cervical dystonia. A surgical procedure may also be suitable in certain cases.

Read more

[bestfillersla]

Brief history of botulinum toxin for aesthetic use

The discovery of its aesthetic use was accidental. In 1987, while Dr. Jean Carruthers was resolving a patient's twitching eyelid, she noticed that frown lines and crow's feet also disappeared.

Botulinum toxin is a substance generated by a bacterium called Clostridium Botulinum, which acts by paralyzing the muscles into which it is injected, in such a way that its use manages to eliminate wrinkles from different areas of the face.

It is a highly purified product and it is administered in very small doses, so its use is quite safe in the indicated doses. It occurs in different types of pharmaceutical preparations, which are marketed under different names.

The beginnings of Botox Injections in Los Angeles for medical use go back to the early 70s when it provided an excellent service in ophthalmology.

Alan Scott, an ophthalmologist at the Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Foundation in San Francisco, United States, was the first to use doses of botulinum toxin to cure strabismus, providing this branch of medicine with a wonderful alternative that involved less risk than the surgical intervention.

Alan Scott created the company Oculinum Inc. to conduct human trials, and in 1988, Allergan Inc. purchased the rights to distribute botulinum toxin type A.

Then, in 1989, Oculinum Inc. obtained authorization from the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) to commercialize the toxin to treat strabismus and blepharospasm (a localized movement that affects the eyelids) associated with dystonia.

Little by little, botox was used to treat various pathologies including as the Best Dermal Fillers in Los Angeles. In 1990, it began to be used as a treatment to relieve spasmodic torticollis. 

Cosmetic use:

The cosmetic use of Botox is approved in 2002 by the FDA, under the trade name Botox Cosmetic. And in 2004 it was approved to treat primary severe axillary hyperhidrosis. But the discovery of the aesthetic use of the toxin was earlier. And it was the consequence of an absolutely accidental event.

It happened in 1987, while Dr. Jean Carruthers was treating a patient suffering from blepharospasm with botulinum toxin type A.

Carruthers noticed, then, that, at the same time that she solved the contraction of the eyelid, the lines between the eyebrows and crow's feet disappeared. Surprisingly, the patient looked much younger.

Seeing the results, Jean Carruthers and her husband, cosmetic surgeon Alastair Carruthers, began an investigation with 30 patients that lasted 3 years and, later, they used to present before the American Academy of Dermatology.

Thus, this work became the first safety study on the cosmetic use of botulinum toxin worldwide.

If you are in search of the Affordable Lip Injections in Los Angeles, do visit our website bestfillersla.com for more information.

[wwvw]

Best botulinum toxin injections of 2023

Botulinum toxin injections (BTI) are a popular treatment for a wide range of conditions, from wrinkles and blemishes to neck pain and migraines. Injections of BTI are performed by a doctor via a small needle inserted into the muscle. 

That’s why it’s important that you know what BTI is and what it can do—so that you can choose the right treatment for your condition. In this blog post, we will explore some of the best BTI injections of 2023. From treatments for diabetes to Botox for chronic pain, we have everything you need to make an informed decision about this popular treatment.

What is Botulinum toxin?

Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin that temporarily blocks the release of nerve cells. This can result in improvement or cure of various conditions, including facial paralysis, tendon spasms and hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating). Botulinum toxin injections are used to treat these conditions.

Types of Botulinum toxin injections

Botulinum toxin type A injections can be used to treat a variety of conditions, such asnarcolepsy, chronic neck pain and spasmodic torticollis. These injections are administered under the skin and result in a temporary reduction in muscle movement.

Botulinum toxin type B injections are used to treat various conditions, such as headaches, glaucoma and cerebral palsy. These injections work by paralyzing the muscles involved in the condition being treated.

How does Botulinum toxin work?

Botulinum toxin is an antigen that blocks the release of acetylcholine from nerve cells. This results in paralysis of the muscle. Botulinum toxin type A is the most common and effective botulinum toxin. It can be administered by injection into the muscle, or by using a transdermal patch. The most common side effects are almost immediate weakness, difficulty talking, and a feeling of general malaise. These effects usually last for around four weeks, but can last up to six months in some cases.

Side effects of Botulinum toxin injections

Botulinum toxin injections are a common treatment for facial wrinkles and other conditions. However, there can be side effects from the injections. Some of the most common side effects include:

-Facial numbness or tingling

-Swelling and redness around the injection site

-Weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles

Benefits of Botulinum toxin injections

Botulinum toxin is a naturally occurring toxin that can be obtained from the Clostridium botulinum bacterium. Botulinum toxin has been used for many years as an effective treatment for various conditions, including cervical dystonia, frown lines, and blepharospasm. Botulinum toxin injections have recently become popular as a treatment for cosmetic purposes, such as reducing wrinkles and smoothing out skin. Here are some of the benefits of botulinum toxin injections:

1. Botulinum toxin injections can reduce wrinkles and other signs of aging.

2. They are safe and effective treatments for various conditions, including cervical dystonia, frown lines, and blepharospasm.

3. Botulinum toxin injections are relatively painless and can be administered by either doctor or nurse in a outpatient setting.

Conclusion

The best botulinum toxin injections of 2023 will help to improve the appearance of various conditions, such as frown lines and crow's feet. By using this type of injection correctly, you can regain an improved quality of life for yourself and those around you.

[bmwiid]

I got bad news at the doctor yesterday - the weakness in my left hand isn't strain or carpel tunnel.

My spasmodic torticollis is getting worse. I was told when I was little it would deteriorate but...

It's not going to get better. It's only going to get worse.

Absolutely devastated. This is really effecting my life in a way it hasn't before. Chronic pain is something I can live with, but it's not really resulted in my being unable to do things before.

I'm just so upset.

[mcatmemoranda]

Spasmodic torticollis is an extremely painful chronic neurological movement disorder causing the neck to involuntarily turn to the left, right, upwards, and/or downwards. The condition is also referred to as "cervical dystonia"

[megacreomon]

For the rest of my life these insurance deductibles are going to be the bane of my existence.

2 vials of 100unit botox BEFORE deductible met, nearly $900.

2 vials of 100unit botox AFTER deductible, just under $250.

Fuck, I can DO $250.  That’s goddamned easy!  These $900 are killing me.

Someone please figure out a cure for spasmodic torticollis so I don’t have to do this anymore.  ;_;

[reportstore]

Putting the brakes on hyperreactive immune cells in neuromuscular pathologies

The resistant framework is embroiled in a few neuropathologies. From the debasement of the myelin sheath worked with via autoreactive lymphocytes in different sclerosis to the enactment of microglia caused by the movement of Huntington's chorea, the safe framework is a very much described middle person of both normal and uncommon neurological circumstances.

While neurological circumstances at large often match with insusceptible framework dysregulation, neuromuscular sicknesses are a subset of problems that are progressively connected to hyperreactivity of safe cells.

One region in which the job of the resistant framework fundamentally adds to the beginning and course of illness is the neuromuscular intersection.

In a discussion at the European Academy of Neurology gathering in Oslo, three primary sorts of neuroimmune collaborations were recognized. These were alluded to as causal, co-employable and significant exercises which variously affect neurophysiological design.

In a "causal" cooperation, the resistant framework is either the sole or a significant etiological element of a neurological sickness. An illustration of this is Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a problem wherein nervous framework harm is caused by white platelets harming the myelin sheath related to supplement enactment. Different types of GBS are interceded by antibodies which either target axonal films or gangliosides situated in the fringe nervous framework.

A "co-usable" association is a state where the resistant framework defensively affects nervous framework usefulness, like on account of a muscle separation. Not long after a physical issue, the myelin sheath of the impacted nerve strands goes through Wallerian degeneration. This cycle is intervened by macrophages endless supply of signs from Schwann cells and harmed axons, move into the focal or fringe nervous framework and gather up the trash of debased myelin. After the freedom has occurred, the articulation and creation of neurotrophic particles is fundamentally expanded by Schwann cells and fibroblasts. In this present circumstance, the resistant framework keeps the injury from causing further harm to extra nervous framework parts.

The "considerable" kind of neuroimmunological collaboration, the resistant framework contributes fundamentally to the downstream pathophysiology of the sickness, like on account of Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) infection, an inherited engine and tangible neuropathy. Described by side effects like muscle shortcoming, spasmodic torticollis drugs development market constrictions and skeletal misshapenings, the pathophysiological instruments of activity incorporate ongoing redundancy of demyelination and remyelination cycles, which has been connected to oxidative pressure and diligent irritation, enacted by the disturbance of calcium homeostasis.

The drug pipeline for neuromuscular problems is progressively focusing on procedures to weaken the hyperreactive invulnerable reaction. An illustration of this incorporates sequestering or obliterating autoantibodies delivered against have proteins, a significant pathophysiological driver of many instances of myasthenia gravis, a condition that causes muscle shortcoming. Other helpful immunosuppressive techniques incorporate enemy of apoptotic strategies that work by repressing the development of the film assault complex (MAC), a construction that is connected to an animal varieties focused on for modified cell demise. Development of the MAC is a stage in the supplement pathway, a fountain of little hematological proteins that work with the freedom of harmed cell trash, end of microbes and counteraction of disease. Related to discoveries from clinical examination, drug engineers are formulating other immunosuppressive strategies including the hindrance of explicit cytokines, B cells, and T cells. Simultaneously, reinforcing the flagging limit of harmed neuromuscular intersection apparatus will likewise free side effects which altogether decline patients' quality from life.

[albertalice920]

Dystonia is a condition in which the patient’s muscles contract painfully and uncontrollably. It may be mild enough to not be noticed at first, but intensifies over time. Here, we offer a quick introduction to what Dystonia looks like, why it occurs, and how patients can manage it.

Understanding Dystonia

Dystonia is a movement disorder that causes muscles to contract uncontrollably. The contracture is generally painful and leads to abnormal gestures or repetitive motions. Dystonia can affect a single muscle, a muscle group, or several muscle groups all over the body. It can affect people of all ages.

Symptoms of Dystonia

The symptoms of Dystonia can vary depending on the muscles it is affecting. Common symptoms include:

Cramping in the foot or hand

Pulling in the neck

Involuntary blinking or eye movements

A ‘dragging’ sensation in the leg

Speech difficulties

Pain or exhaustion frequently follow in the aftermath of Dystonia symptoms, while fatigue may exacerbate the symptoms. Patients may also experience depression or social withdrawal because of the stress the disease causes.

Types of Dystonia

One way of classifying Dystonia is on the basis of the parts of the body it affects. Accordingly, there are five types of Dystonia:

Generalized — affecting the whole of the body or most of it

Hemidystonia — affecting the arm and leg on the same side

Segmental — affecting adjacent body parts

Focal — affecting just one body part

Multifocal — affecting more than one unrelated body part

Doctors also classify Dystonia based on its patterns. Some of them, in fact, can be regarded as syndromes in their own right. These include:

Cervical Dystonia (or torticollis) — affecting neck muscles in a manner than causes the head to be pulled backwards and forwards or twisted from side to side

Oromandibular Dystonia — affects the lip, tongue, and jaw muscles and leads to trouble speaking and swallowing

Cranial Dystonia — affects the face, head, and neck muscles and may flare up during specific tasks, such as playing a wind instrument

Blepharospasm — affects the eyes starting with uncontrolled blinking, and ultimately causes the eyes to be almost permanently closed

Paroxysmal Dystonia — affects the body only during episodes

Spasmodic Dystonia — affects the speech muscles in the throat

Torsion Dystonia — a rare disorder that affects the entire body severely

Tardive Dystonia — a treatable form of the condition that occurs because of a reaction to some drugs

Causes of Dystonia

Dystonia occurs due to a problem with the way nerve cells communicate in the basal ganglia, which is the part of the brain that initiates muscle contractions. It could be idiopathic in nature, but more often it is acquired from a stroke, a tumor, brain trauma, infection, or conditions like Multiple Sclerosis or Parkinson’s Disease. The doctor will perform a variety of tests and take a complete medical history to determine the exact root cause. Researchers continue to work on identifying genetic mutations that cause Dystonia.

Treatment for Dystonia

Depending on the severity and its underlying cause, there are several Dystonia treatment options available.

Physical Therapy, involving a combination of strength and stretching exercises to ease muscle pain and improve range of motion

Stem Cell Therapy is designed to repair the damaged cells within the body by reducing inflammation and modulating the immune system

Medicine, which is injected directly into the muscles to ease muscle contractions or taken orally to target neurotransmitters in the brain

Deep brain stimulation, which involves transmitting electrical impulses to the brain to ease the contractions

Speech Therapy, if the Dystonia is affecting the throat, lip, tongue, or jaw muscles

Occupational Therapy to help the patient perform daily tasks more effectively, often with the use of aids

Selective denervation surgery, which may be recommended to cut off the nerves involved in muscle spasms if other types of treatment haven’t been effective

Dystonia can be painful and uncomfortable to deal with, but it can be managed with appropriate treatment. It’s important to be patient with yourself and take as much time as you need to complete tasks and perform the doctor-prescribed exercises. Over time, you’ll be able to build an active, fulfilling life of your own.

[jadgshun-blog]

How Do Wrinkles on the Face Form

Wrinkles are a by-product of our aging bodies.  Wrinkles are inevitable as we age.  Most wrinkles are generally found around the eyes, necks, and cheeks.  How do we define wrinkles? Wrinkles are fine lines or creases in the skin, primarily in the face, that usually result from a combination of factors, including sun and weather damage, smoking, botox products to buy and natural aging.Wrinkles cannot be prevented, according to the Mayo Clinic. However, they say that proper care of your skin can help delay and reduce wrinkles.  You may find it interesting that wrinkles can be hereditary, and some families are more prone to wrinkles than others.  According to the Mayo Clinic website information, Wrinkles are classified into three classes.

Class   I: Fine wrinkles

Class  II: Fine-to-moderately deep wrinkles and moderate number of lines

Class III: Fine-to-deep wrinkles, numerous lines, and possibly redundant folds

Treatments

There are an abundance of treatments marketed today, both for in-home use as well as in spas and clinics, which aim to be highly effective at treating skin.  Treatment for deep wrinkles tends to be a little more complex than that of fine, thinner lines, but wrinkle injection treatments, as well as laser and radio wave based procedures, are making any type of wrinkle removal increasingly manageable.  Treatment options include dermabrasion, chemical peels and laser skin resurfacing.  Treatment with the Erbium laser stimulates the production of collagen which results in a tightening and smoothing of the skin.  Despite great demand, most such products and treatments have not been proven to give lasting or major positive effects.  Besides its cosmetic application, Botox is used in the treatment of other conditions including migraine headache and cervical dystonia (spasmodic torticollis) (a neuromuscular disorder involving the head and neck).  Therefore, if you still want to reduce wrinkles, explore your treatment options.There are various creams and lotions to treat wrinkles available over-the-counter.  Prescription treatments, including the retinoid cream renova, are also an option.

Collagen

Collagen is what supports the skin.  Elastin is what gives the skin its flexibility. Collagen and keratin leave a protein film and temporarily stretch the skin. Collagen is what keeps your skin tight and toned, so using collagen targeted products can help you fill in wrinkled areas of your face.   Collagen or hyaluronic acid (Restylane, Hyalaform, Captique, for example), may be injected under wrinkles or folds to elevate them.   Collagen Replacement Therapy is a wrinkle therapy that provides Collagen treatment on a localized basis in salons.

Botox

Botox injections have become very popular in recent years.  In fact, many ENT Doctors have re-invented their medical practices to market Botox and anti-aging medicine, supplements, and wrinkle products. Botox is another technique available to help minimize wrinkles.  According to the manufacturers of Botox, BOTOX® is a medicine made from a highly purified, naturally occurring protein which has the ability to very precisely relax the muscles to which it is applied.  BOTOX® does not affect the nerves responsible for sensation, so there is no numbness in the treated areas.  BOTOX® relaxes the muscles which cause many facial lines and unwanted facial expressions.  BOTOX Cosmetic(TM) is very affordable even for those with modest incomes, but some people need to budget for it just as they would for buying accessories like shoes and having their hair styled.  BOTOX® Cosmetic treatments provide a safe, quick and remarkably effective way to markedly decrease wrinkles.  BOTOX® Cosmetic injections are best on the upper third of the face.

Restylane

Besides wrinkles, Restylane is supposed to also fight fine lines and folds.  According the the manufacturers of Restylane, the types of skin folds Restylane targets are "Nasolabial Folds," or the ridges that some people have from the base of their nose to the corners of their mouth.  Restylane® is a wrinkle filler used to treat "laugh lines" (the lines between the nose and the corner of the mouth), vertical lip lines, and folds in the skin for both men and women.

Other Wrinkle Reduction Products

Retinol, a natural form of vitamin A, could not, until recently, be used in skin products because it was unstable and easily broken down by UV radiation.  The FDA warns that over-the-counter retinol skin products are unregulated; the amount of active ingredients is unknown, and some preparations, in fact, may contain almost no retinol.  Retin-A, Renova, Avita (drug name tretinoin) and Tazorac (drug name tazarotene), prescribed by your doctor or dermatologist, are still the gold standards among topical prescription products for improving the appearance of sun-damaged (wrinkled and discolored) skin.

[subluxationskill]

What Cause Spasmodic Torticollis? | Spasmodic Torticollis Doctor Los Angeles

New Post has been published on https://drdrewhall.com/spasmodic-torticollis-doctor-los-angeles/

What Cause Spasmodic Torticollis? | Spasmodic Torticollis Doctor Los Angeles

[davidchill]

This Is My Truth - The Final Blog (For Now)

After over ten years of writing a personal blog I feel that now would be a good time to wrap things up. I’m sure I’ll still write blogs from time-to-time, but they’ll be a completely different animal to this curious beast.

Social media has changed an awful lot over the years. As I scroll through my timeline this morning all I see are snappy memes, gifs, people arguing with strangers about the perils of Brexit, and sponsored posts based on my browsing habits.

Another thing that’s changed is how people engage and interact with others. Over the years I’ve seen friends who appeared to be warm and affable suddenly go stone cold and aloof, virtually overnight. Typed communication can often be misinterpreted or misconstrued, and I have, on a few occasions, tried to strike up friendships with people who I’ve genuinely liked, only for their shields to go up - and I watch them vanish at warp speed.

The truth has always been important to me - so when people lie in order to make their lives easier I find myself distancing myself from them so they don’t need to lie anymore. But I can’t judge anyone. Lying is easy. Anyone can lie. How many lies have got people out of awkward social situations without damaging the friendship? Thousands, I would imagine. The truth is much harder to swallow at times. So if you’ve found this blog to be a difficult read then that’s certainly not a bad thing.

Of course, a few “friends” haven’t stayed the course, and opted to “unfriend” or “unfollow” me on social media for posting “too many dog photos” or “too many blogs on mental health”. Well… all I can offer here is my “sperm” analogy…

“Out of the approximately 1,000 sperm that enter the fallopian tube, only about 200 reach the egg. The rest get attached to the lining of the oviduct, or just give out and die. Out of the approximately 200 sperm that reach the egg, only one fertilizes the egg.”

If you’ve stuck by me on Facebook during the most turbulent period of my life (between 2014 and the present day) then consider yourself a healthy sperm. The others might resurface in a few years when everything in my life is hunky-dory and say “Is it safe to be your friend again?” but they have no chance of reaching the egg.

In this case the “egg” is a metaphor for my “circle of trust”.

Friends don’t fall off the radar when you struggle with your mental health, and nor do they sit back and watch you struggle financially when they *could* throw you a bone. Oh, and they certainly don’t walk away when you share anecdotes about your dog.

So if you are still with me - thank you. And if you’re sitting comfortably then let’s begin...

Keeping the Faith

For much of my adult life I never had a huge amount of faith in myself. Too many crushing doubts played on my mind as to what role I had in this world - or even if I had a part to play. My creative abilities were certainly brought into question, as I lie awake at night wondering when people would wake up and give me the same amount of judgement and scrutiny that I subjected myself to on a daily basis.

Despite a very happy home life I was a prime target for the school bullies - thanks to a winning combination of ginger hair and small, round head - so it’s hardly surprising that I entered adulthood with several insecurities and a huge chip on my shoulder. Children can be cruel and wretched creatures at times. Snotty-nosed brats.

Throughout college I drew comic strips at every available opportunity and was always genuinely flabbergasted when my peers told me how talented and gifted I was - and how much they loved my sense of humour. Well, my written word - as I was practically mute in those days. “You’d be funny if you spoke!” commented one guy.

While most of the students gallivanted off to university I chose not to pursue further education and opted to get a “real” job in order to feed my comic book addiction. So for the next six or seven years I took on a variety of roles… packing plastic, kennel hand, factory worker.

I’m not sure what my parents thought of me coming home covered in dog poo and toner dust - but my duties were the perfect cover for an artistic creative soul who had zero faith in his abilities. I couldn’t fail.

Unfortunately my cover was blown in 1998 when my line manager insisted on promoting me to “champion operator” - a job that involved assembly work, but also gave me the opportunity to walk around with a bit of paper and use the new fangled “e-mail” system that was becoming popular in the workplace. “What is this wizardry?” I asked myself, as I bluffed my way through the job.

It was during this time that I was asked to give a PowerPoint presentation to an office full of co-workers and the type of senior management you’d cross the street to avoid if you saw them out shopping on a Saturday morning. When the CEO gave his feedback on the presentations he threw the spotlight on me and said; “David, I thought you were excellent.”

Swine. “I’m a fraud I tell you!” (I didn’t actually say that out loud)

Thankfully, just before my head expanded to dangerous levels of self belief I was made redundant from the position. This was no reflection on me - the whole company went under. Nothing to do with my “excellent” presentation skills or the time I spent walking around with a bit of paper.

The following year I was inflicted with a condition called spasmodic torticollis and forced to take three months off work. In English; I suffered with a severe muscle spasm in my neck. As a result, my chin was permanently touching my shoulder and only lying down made me feel “normal”. We didn’t have box sets to lift the mood in those days, so it was an extremely dark chapter in my life. I was pumped full of valium, I couldn’t drive or walk the dog, and my mother had to chop my food up for me.

Eventually, after a series of tests, the consultant told me I’d have to have injections in my neck - but this wouldn’t guarantee success. Truth be told I became very low and depressed - but, with the support of my friends and family, I got through each day. One of my church friends even picked me up, took me to church, and prayed for me. This wasn’t like my “last rites” or anything, I hasten to add.

One day, as I walked into town, all hunched up and averting eye contact - something very peculiar happened. My head wasn’t tilting to one side anymore and I found myself walking in a STRAIGHT line. “What is this hogwashery?!” I thought to myself. “I’m walking with my head in an upright position!”

The specialist who mooted the idea of injections then examined me, scratched his head, and concluded that I was some kind of weird “enigma”. Yes, it took three months of pain, frustration and fear to reach the conclusion that I was a bit odd. Blimey, I didn’t need to go through all that to work that one out.

The Slippery Slope

Several years later, and after being made redundant three times between 1998 and 2003, I was beginning to think I was cursed.

In 2006 I quit full-time employment and went down the “self-employed” route - mostly focusing on wedding websites for the subsequent eight years. On reflection that was far too long to spend on one endeavour, and a few close friends urged me to expand my portfolio. Again, I felt “safe” doing wedding websites, the money was coming in, and I didn’t want to run the risk of straying too far. However, I should have taken the advice given to Peter Davison when Patrick Troughton advised him to only play the Doctor for three years. Eight years is a very long time in the world of technological advances, and I became the Ken Barlow of wedding websites.

Looking back, it’s not surprising the work had a detrimental impact on my mental health. I poured my heart and soul into those blasted websites, and sometimes sat up until 3am to please my transatlantic Bridezillas. Sometimes Groomzillas. No, I didn’t *have* to, but when I take on a role I like to give it my all.

Unfortunately because my “office” was then based in my bedroom I could never “switch off” and those sites consumed me to a point where my anxiety and depression deepened. The line between business and pleasure just became far too blurred and it became a seven day week thing.

After all the stress of moving into my maisonette (and then buying the maisonette) I still found the websites to be an extremely negative factor in my mental health. Things got on top of me and I’d begin to procrastinate… put off tasks, until, eventually, I hit my brick wall. My dark place.

Enter Luna, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier X Akita, who took a lot of stick for being the author of my demise. No, she was merely the straw that broke the camels back.

Before I knew it, I lost my regular income after being told that my services were no longer required. Sadly, despite being told that my salary would be safe until January 2014, it was then slashed by £500 for two months on the trot. November and December, respectively.

Suddenly, I had this huge financial hole to fill… and a mortgage to pay. When you lose £1000 without sufficient forewarning then what do you do? No money from extra part-time work would have reached me in time - even if my mind had been “fit” to work. The anxiety just consumed me, and the mind starts imagining these highly unlikely scenarios… My neck condition might flare up again… I might lose the dog… I might lose my home.

Okay, that last one actually happened.

People often tell me that debt is a slippery slope that should be avoided at all costs. People who’ve never experienced debt to the extent that I did. My friends, I’ve taken to that slope. I’m the Eddie “the Eagle” Edwards of the slippery slope.

So yes, I know that debt begins very slowly... and it gradually creeps up on you… the £5 penalty charge on your emergency borrowing becomes £10, £15, £20… and then you’re late with the gas and electric bill… and then BOOM! You’ve lost your home and overzealous cleaners are pulling things off your wall as you struggle to pack everything into boxes.

I lost more that day than I can ever put into words, and I’ve hated myself for it ever since.

Yes, people made my life more difficult than it needed to be, and some people could have helped more - rather than just telling me it’d all be okay. But I lost everything because I lost faith in myself.

There’s No Guarantors

Today, eighteen months after losing my home, I’m sat here writing a business plan - and I find myself in this role reversal. Almost like a weird mirror universe from Star Trek. Suddenly, for perhaps the first time in my life, I have faith in myself - but others are doubting my judgement, or have very little faith in my abilities.

Whenever I hear that someone has been awarded a business loan I punch the air [on their behalf]. Even if it’s someone on Twitter who I don’t know very well - I always make a point of congratulating them and wishing them well in their new endeavour. Or endeavor if they’re American.

With me, I expect a few would question if I knew what I was doing.

Not that I was awarded a business loan, but I came very close. Honestly, my heart sank when Eugene (the guy from the bank) uttered the words “We just need your guarantor…”

Guarantor? Me? Find a guarantor? He might as well have asked me to find the hair of a Sasquatch, a stool sample of a dodo, and the DNA of William the Conqueror.

“Hey, dear,” says a friend, turning to his partner. “David C. Hill is looking for a guarantor for his business loan. You in?” “The same David C. Hill with the anxiety issues?” “Yep.” “The same David C. Hill who had 5,000 comic books printed without testing the market?” “Yep.” “The same David C. Hill who lost his home after falling into a horrifying amount of debt?” “Yes, dear. You in?”

Yes, I had to ask… but of course I can’t blame anyone for not rising to the challenge.

My new bank friend, Eugene, then followed up with a phone call to assure me that the £10,000 funding would be granted if I could give him a name. So I looked at Luna, and for that brief moment her eyes just said “Don’t look at me!”

The “Homer Simpson” in me thought about seeing how far I could go with this guarantor lark. “John. My guarantor’s name is John. John Smith. His address? 12… Evergreen Terrace.”

Sadly, it’s going to be almost impossible for me to come back from that defeat of losing my home. That sort of thing sticks. It’s like I have “not good with money” or “dog who returns to his vomit” scrawled on my forehead. It’s akin to someone on a dodgy register trying to acquire a job as a school caretaker.

No, to paraphrase Tiffany, the pop goddess of 1987… “I think I’m alone now.”

People will argue that if my business plan was that convincing then I wouldn’t need a guarantor. However, these days banks are far more guarded when it comes to funding businesses. I don’t have any assets therefore I need someone with assets to have my back. My 27” iMac won’t cut the mustard as an asset.

Anyway, I’m sure most people can find a guarantor with relative ease. If a guarantor was such a ridiculous concept then requiring a guarantor wouldn’t even be a thing. According to the website, 98% of businesses are successfully funded. So I guess that places me in the 2% camp.

It’s been a week of bad news, and it would be so easy for me to slip into a depression and consume my body weight in wine gums. My car payment has just bounced and I have more rent due in ten days, and now I’m telling people that without funding my business can’t move forward.

I know the rich frown upon those who have to take out loans, and in the last few years I’ve seen the rich grow considerably richer. But I don’t think some people realise how rich they are, and how, if they need something, they can just go out and buy it - or ask their rich family to chip in. Of course most people have worked very hard for their wealth - but the majority of people do work very hard. I know at least two nurses who work for the NHS and they work exceptionally gruelling shifts. So one should never judge the rich - or the poor.

Yes, some people do inherit wealth or marry into rich families, so not all the rich work hard - and not everyone who’s poor works hard either. Sometimes ill-health doesn’t permit you to work long hours - and yes, lazy work shy fops do exist.

If I have to calumniate £5,000 or £10,000 worth of debt in order to make £20k then I’ll do it. All businesses need funding and we don’t all have savings to inject into our cashflow. People who don’t have debt a get bit sniffy about it, but there’s no shame in having manageable debt - and sometimes it’s a necessary evil.

Final Words

There’s always a way forward. Sometimes its not about working harder - it’s about working smarter. And I have enough faith in myself to know that I can work smarter. I’ll find a way forward, even if I do have to accrue debt - even if I have to march into hell for a heavenly cause. People will call me batcrap crazy, and people will cast doubt on me, but that’s to be expected. Life is very short, memories are very precious, and sometimes those of us who want to achieve our goals need to take calculated risks.

My greatest fear is losing faith in myself - because that will be the day that I die. But that’s never going to happen. I mean losing faith in myself - I fully except to die one day! I’m not Connor MacLeod, Mister Immortal, or Captain Jack Harkness.

Thank you to those who have helped me over the last few years - and those who continue to support my work. Make no mistake, when I’m rich I’m not going to live in a huge castle, pull up the drawbridge and yell “Let them eat cake!”. I’m going to live in a modest dwelling and help those who have helped me in the past.

That’s my guarantee.

[ayurveda4all]

Cervical Dystonia - Ayurvedic Treatment, Diet, Exercises, Research Papers, Yoga & Pranayama

Cervical Dystonia – Ayurvedic Treatment, Diet, Exercises, Research Papers, Yoga & Pranayama

Introduction A rare but painful condition characterized by involuntary contractions of the neck muscles and which may often result in abnormal positions or movements of head and neck. Cervical dystonia or Spasmodic torticollis can happen at any age (most common among middle-aged people) and sometimes it affects the shoulders. It may be primary or secondary (related with other diseases)…