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  • neck-dystonia
  1. About dystonia
  2. Types of dystonia
  3. Neck dystonia

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.

What are the symptoms?

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Symptoms of cervical dystonia include:

  • neck twisting
  • neck being pulled forwards, backwards or sideways
  • stiffness in the neck
  • tremor
  • pain

Stress and anxiety are known to exacerbate the symptoms.

Published: 1st June, 2020

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What are the causes?

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Dystonia is caused by incorrect signals from the brain to the affected body part but the causes for this are not yet fully understood.

Published: 2nd June, 2020

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Who does it affect?

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  • Symptoms usually appear between the ages of 30 and 50.
  • It is the most common dystonia and affects an estimated 18,000 adults in the UK.

Published: 2nd June, 2020

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What are the common treatments?

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  • Botulinum toxin injections
  • Oral medication
  • Physiotherapy
  • Deep brain stimulation
  • Occupational therapy

Published: 4th June, 2020

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How will it affect my life?

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You may need to find ways to adapt and might have to learn new ways to complete everyday tasks. However, it is possible to live well with the condition and Dystonia UK is here to support you through all stages including initial onset, diagnosis, finding treatment and beyond.

You may find these coping techniques helpful:

  • Applying light pressure to points on your neck or face, such as the chin, back of the head, neck, cheek or upper face. The touch is usually (but not always) more effective on the side of the head with the dystonia.
  • Reclining or sitting with head support.

Published: 5th June, 2020

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You might also be interested in:

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Published: 6th June, 2020

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