Neck dystonia

Other names: Cervical dystonia / Spasmodic torticollis

Type: Focal

Cervical dystonia is a neurological movement disorder characterised by continuous or intermittent muscle contractions which cause abnormal, often painful, repetitive movements of the neck and head. The movements can lead to the head and neck twisting (torticollis) or being pulled forwards (antecollis), backwards (retrocollis), or sideways (laterocollis)

Cervical dystonia usually does not spread, although occasionally another part of the body may be affected. The progression varies between individuals. In some cases, it may progress for about five years and then get no worse. In other cases, it hardly progresses at all. Occasionally, symptoms may disappear, but may return later. Because every case of neck dystonia is different, it is difficult to predict accurately how it may change in the future.

Cervical dystonia should be diagnosed and treated by a neurologist specialising in movement disorders.