During the first couple years of onset, symptoms can partially or completely disappear for days to months, but return in other parts of the body. Causes
Current medical science does not precisely describe the causes of dystonia, however genetic and environmental factors may play a large role. Misfiring of neurons in the sensorimotor cortex, a thin layer of neural tissue that covers the brain, is thought to cause contractions. This misfiring may result from impaired inhibitory mechanisms during muscle contraction. When the brain tells a given muscle to contract, it simultaneously silences muscles that would oppose the intended movement. It appears that dystonia interferes with the brains ability to inhibit those surrounding muscles, leading to loss of selectivity.The sensorimotor cortex is organized as discrete "maps" of the human body. Under normal conditions, each body part (such as individual fingers) occupies a distinct area on these cortical maps. In dystonia, these maps lose their distinct borders and overlap occurs. Exploration of this initially involved over-training particular finger movements in non-human primates, which resulted in the development of focal hand dystonia. Examination of the primary somatosensory cortex in the trained animals showed grossly distorted representations of the maps pertaining to the fingers when compared to the untrained animals. Additionally, these maps in the dystonic animals had lost the distinct borders that were noted in the untrained animals. Imaging studies in humans with focal dystonia have confirmed this finding.
She worked to retrain her right hand, and since 2009 has been performing again as a guitarist, singer, and songwriter. Berkley Breathed, American Pulitzer Prize winning comic strip artist and book writer/illustrator. Known for Bloom County,  Opus, and others. His work was featured as that of the main character, as an adult, of the film Second Hand Lions. Stuart Cassells, founder of the bagpipe rock group Red Hot Chilli Pipers, announced focal dystonia in September 2011; he has left the band. Andrew Dawes, noted violinist and co-founder of the Orford String Quartet. Warren Deck, former tubist of the New York Philharmonic. Keith Emerson, pianist and keyboard player
Leon Fleisher, an international concert pianist, dealt with this condition in his right hand beginning in the 1960s and switched to only left hand playing. In the 2000s, he regained use of his right hand and recommenced performing and recording with two hands. Dominic Frasca, guitarist
Reinhard Goebel, Baroque violinist, switched to playing left-handed. Gary Graffman, pianist, who changed to performing only with his left hand. Jang Jae-in, Korean singer-songwriter and guitarist diagnosed with dystonia in her left hand in 2012. In 2015, on You Hee-yeols Sketchbook, she announced that she quit playing guitar. Alex Klein, principal oboist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Alfred Koffler, guitarist of rock band Pink Cream 69, diagnosed in early 2000s. To help him with live shows, Uwe Reitenauer was hired as a second guitarist. Koffler continues to write and perform live on stage with the band.