Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
Dystonia UK
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
Membership Donate
Menu
  • About us
    • Who we are
    • The team
    • Annual reports and accounts
    • Policy work
    • News
  • About dystonia
    • What is dystonia?
    • What causes dystonia?
    • Types of dystonia
    • Diagnosis and treatment
  • Help and support
    • How we support you
    • The Info Hub
    • Just diagnosed
    • Your local support group
    • Our conferences
    • Frequently asked questions
  • Membership
    • Dystonia UK Membership
    • Join or renew your membership
  • Support us
    • Donate
    • Fundraise for us
    • Other ways to give
    • Partner with us
    • Volunteer for us
    • Campaigns
    • Your stories
    • Your voice heard
    • Shop
  • Admin
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • abdominal-dystonia
  1. About dystonia
  2. Types of dystonia
  3. Abdominal dystonia

Abdominal dystonia

Other names: Truncal dystonia / Belly dancer’s dyskinesia / Abdominal wall dystonia

Type: Focal

Truncal dystonia is a neurological movement disorder characterised by continuous or intermittent muscle contractions which cause abnormal, often painful, repetitive movements in the abdomen.

Truncal dystonia is usually diagnosed and treated by a neurologist specialising in movement disorders.

What are the symptoms?

Expand

Symptoms of truncal dystonia include:

  • unusual stretching, bending or twisting of the trunk
  • writhing movements of the abdominal wall
  • tremor

Stress and anxiety are known to exacerbate the symptoms.

Published: 1st June, 2020

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Who does it affect?

Expand
  • Usually truncal dystonia affects adults.

Published: 2nd June, 2020

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

What are the causes?

Expand

Dystonia is caused by incorrect signals from the brain to the affected body part.

Published: 3rd June, 2020

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

What are the common treatments?

Expand
  • Botulinum toxin injections
  • Oral medication
  • Physiotherapy
  • Deep brain stimulation

Published: 4th June, 2020

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

How will it affect my life?

Expand

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 sensory tricks helpful including:

  • running
  • placing hands in back pockets
  • tucking hands into the back waistband

Published: 5th June, 2020

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

You might also be interested in

Expand

  

Published: 6th June, 2020

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
Back to top

Latest

  • Your Questions Answered with Dr Miles Humberstone

    Your Questions Answered with Dr Miles Humberstone

    Q&A with Dr Miles Humberstone. This webinar took place on 26th September 2023 during 'Dystonia Awareness Month'.

  • Fernanda Aguilar Perez

    Fernanda Aguilar Perez

  • Emily Birden

    Emily Birden

  • Thank you for an amazing Dystonia Awareness Month 2023!

    Thank you for an amazing Dystonia Awareness Month 2023!

Most read

  • What is dystonia?

    What is dystonia?

    Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder that is estimated to affect at least 100,000 people in the UK. Learn about it here and request an information booklet.

  • What are the symptoms?

  • What causes dystonia?

    What causes dystonia?

    The cause of dystonia is not yet fully understood, in some cases at least it can be attributed to a chemical imbalance in the part of the brain called the basal ganglia, a part which helps to control movement.

  • What are the symptoms?

  • What are the symptoms?

  • What are the common treatments?

  • What are the common treatments?

  • What are the causes?

  • What are the causes?

  • Who does it affect?

Tag cloud

Airdrie DS Group Cambridgeshire DS Group Edinburgh DS Group Hertfordshire DS Group Kent DS Group Lancashire & Fylde DS Group Liverpool DS Group London and Surrey DS Group Manchester DS Group North East DS Group North Shropshire Borders DS Group Northern Ireland DS Group Oxford DS Group Torbay & Exeter DS Group West Midlands DS Group West Sussex DS Group

Subscribe to receive regular e-news from Dystonia UK

* indicates required
  • Sitemap
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Update your communication preferences


  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

Registered office

89 Albert Embankment
London SE1 7TP
[email protected]
020 7793 3651

Dystonia UK is the operating name of The Dystonia Society. The Dystonia Society is registered as a charity in England and Wales (1062595) and in Scotland (SC042127)


Help Dystonia UK

Donate Volunteer Fundraise