Joaquin Farias | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1973 Murcia, Spain |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Occupation | Neuroscientist |
| Known for | Farias Technique |
| Notable work |
|
| Website | fariastechnique |
Joaquin Farias (born 1973) is a Spanish-born Canadian neuroscientist, researcher, and writer specializing in movement therapy for dystonia.[1]
Early life and education[edit]
Farias was born in 1973 in Murcia, Spain.[2] He holds master's degrees in neuropsychological rehabilitation, psychosociology, and ergonomics and a doctorate in biomechanics.[3][4][5]
Career[edit]
At the age of 21, while training as a professional musician, Farias developed dystonia, leading to involuntary curling of his fingers and impacting his ability to play the piano.[6][7] He began his research work on dystonia in 1996 following his own experience with dystonia as a young musician, which led him to create his own exercises to manage his condition.[8][9][10]
After his recovery from dystonia, Farias developed a training program based on neuroplasticity principles.[11] In 2018, he started the Dystonia Recovery Online Program, aiming to provide wider access to treatment methods.[12][13]
Farias has also worked as a coach for musicians, as well as with Olympic and Paralympic athletes, and dancers, focusing on the recovery from focal dystonia and other practice-related disorders.[14][15][16]
Previously, Farias served as a professor at the Music and Health Research Collaboratory of the University of Toronto.[17] He also serves as the director at the Neuroplastic Training Institute in Toronto.[18][19]
Farias is also the author of three books on dystonia: Limitless: Your Movements Can Heal Your Brain, Intertwined: A New Approach to Rehabilitating Dystonias, and Rebellion of the Body: Understanding Musicians' Focal Dystonia.[20][21]
Research[edit]
Farias's work hypothesizes a link between dystonia and the insular cortex, which plays a role in controlling motion and emotion.[22] Farias theorizes that repetitive activities might reinforce improper neural pathways, thereby exacerbating the condition.[22]
His method, now known as Farias Technique, involves using movement-based exercises to help retrain brain functions related to motor and sensory processing.[22][23] The core of his treatment approach is centered on relearning and normalizing repressed movements, through specific exercises.[22]
Bibliography[edit]
- Intertwined. How to Induce Neuroplasticity (2012)
- Rebellion of the Body: Understanding Musicians' Focal Dystonia (2012)
- Limitless: Your Movements Can Heal Your Brain (2016)
References[edit]
- ^ "Focal Dystonia: A Musician Overcomes a Movement Disorder With a Change of Mind". Discover Magazine. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
- ^ "Así es la misteriosa enfermedad que silencia a los músicos: "Mi sonido empezó a temblar y no era capaz de sacar una nota"". ELMUNDO (in Spanish). 2023-10-05. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
- ^ "After seven years of debilitating muscle spasms, I have hope". The Globe and Mail. 2015-03-06. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
- ^ "Así es la misteriosa enfermedad que silencia a los músicos: "Mi sonido empezó a temblar y no era capaz de sacar una nota"". El Mundo (in Spanish). 2023-10-05. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
- ^ "JOAQUIN FARIAS, PhD, M.S., M.A. – Music and Health Science Research Collaboratory". Retrieved 2024-03-09.
- ^ "Focal Dystonia: A Musician Overcomes a Movement Disorder With a Change of Mind". Discover Magazine. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
- ^ "Using the brain to retrain the body to overcome dystonia". The Globe and Mail. 2015-03-06. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
- ^ "Focal Dystonia: A Musician Overcomes a Movement Disorder With a Change of Mind". Discover Magazine. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
- ^ "Using the brain to retrain the body to overcome dystonia". The Globe and Mail. 2015-03-06. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
- ^ "Así es la misteriosa enfermedad que silencia a los músicos: "Mi sonido empezó a temblar y no era capaz de sacar una nota"". ELMUNDO (in Spanish). 2023-10-05. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
- ^ "Focal Dystonia: A Musician Overcomes a Movement Disorder With a Change of Mind". Discover Magazine. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
- ^ "Así es la misteriosa enfermedad que silencia a los músicos: "Mi sonido empezó a temblar y no era capaz de sacar una nota"". ELMUNDO (in Spanish). 2023-10-05. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
- ^ "Dystonia plagues musicians and has no easy remedies | Aeon Essays". Aeon. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
- ^ "After seven years of debilitating muscle spasms, I have hope". The Globe and Mail. 2015-03-06. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
- ^ "Using the brain to retrain the body to overcome dystonia". The Globe and Mail. 2015-03-06. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
- ^ "Así es la misteriosa enfermedad que silencia a los músicos: "Mi sonido empezó a temblar y no era capaz de sacar una nota"". ELMUNDO (in Spanish). 2023-10-05. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
- ^ https://mahrc.music.utoronto.ca/joaquin-farias-cv/
- ^ "Así es la misteriosa enfermedad que silencia a los músicos: "Mi sonido empezó a temblar y no era capaz de sacar una nota"". ELMUNDO (in Spanish). 2023-10-05. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
- ^ "Joaquin Farias, CV – Music and Health Science Research Collaboratory". Retrieved 2024-03-09.
- ^ "After seven years of debilitating muscle spasms, I have hope". The Globe and Mail. 2015-03-06. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
- ^ "Joaquin Farias – Focal Dystonia". Farias Technique. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
- ^ a b c d "Using the brain to retrain the body to overcome dystonia". The Globe and Mail. 2015-03-06. Retrieved 2024-04-05.
- ^ "Inside the Mysterious Malady Known as Runner's Dystonia". Runner's World. 2023-01-17. Retrieved 2024-04-05.