I first came across the Concept2 Indoor Rower when visiting the Sports/Recreational Industry Exhibition at the NEC while I was waiting for a hip joint replacement and was on the lookout for a suitable piece of weight bearing aerobic equipment. The Indoor Rower stood head and shoulders above everything else.I entered the 1992 British IRC at Shiplake College. I was a short heavyweight, just outside the lightweight division. To my surprise I took second place. With the exception of 2001 when I had flu I took part in every championship up to 2003. I was fortunate to gain two Silvers, one Bronze and eight Golds. However, my high point was setting a new 70-79 Lwt World Record in 1998. This was eventually bettered by half a second by Geoffrey Knight at the WIRC 2005.That's the ego trip out of the way! Since then, I have unfortunately suffered an interruption in my training.I first felt something was wrong with my rowing in 2004 but could not decide what this was and persisted with preparing for the British IRC. As time progressed I became conscious about a problem with my head and neck. My technique had never been textbook, with one shortened leg due to a hip replacement and two elbow joints having a limited range of flexion and extension as a result of what could be loosely called a sports injury.An involuntary movement of the head occurred at the drive with a forceful turning to the right. I tried to anticipate the movement even to turning to the left but to no avail. I decided to stop trying and gave up rowing. Imagine how many times the head forcibly involuntarily rotates during the course of a 2,000m race. It also reacted the same during some weight training exercises. At this point the problem did not occur at any other time.Listed below in chronological order is the progress of the condition:Sept 04: Stopped rowing but still able to ride a bike with slight intrusion on steep hills.Nov 04: Biking is still ok; had one session of stretching/manipulation by Specialist Therapist - did experience some easing of tension, overall situation did not improve.Feb 05: Stopped cycling now becoming more invasive in everyday living.April 05: Had MRI Scan revealing a prolapsed cervical disc Sept 05: Started conservative treatment - traction/physio. By this time the problem was widespread throughout the normal day.Jan 06: No improvement, appointment made to see neurosurgeon.May 06: The diagnosis is the problem has nothing to do with prolapsed disc, but instead is a condition known as Spasmodic Torticollis which can be treated by injections of botulinum (botox). Referred to neurologist.Sept 06: See the neurologist for an excellent consultation; he explains my condition and treatments. The plus point is he owns an Indoor Rower. He gives me my first three injections in the neck area there and then. In less than a week I have experienced significant reduction in spasm and the accompanied intense pain that I could only get relief from by lying on the floor on my right side. My involuntary head movements are reduced to a degree. My next injections will be in three months.Apparently, this condition is one of 11 that come under the heading of DYSTONIA. A term used to describe neurological disorders that result in certain involuntary abnormal movements and postures.The injections act on the junctions of nerves and muscles preventing the release of one of the chemical messengers called acetylcholine from the nerve endings, which helps to reduce contractions making the muscles weaker.