Cervical dystonia

Diagnosis

A physical examination alone may frequently identify cervical dystonia, your doctor may advise blood tests or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to rule out any underlying illnesses that could be the cause of your symptoms.

Treatment

Cervical dystonia is a condition that cannot be cured. While spontaneous resolution of symptoms may occur in certain individuals, recurrence of symptoms is common in most cases of this condition. The objective of treatment is to decrease the severity of symptoms.

Medications

Direct injections of the paralyzing substance botulinum toxin, which is frequently used to reduce face wrinkles, can be made into the cervical dystonia-affected neck muscles. Medication made with botulinum toxin include: Myobloc, Xeomin, Dysport, and Botox.

Frequent injections, usually required every three to four months, can often result in improvements for individuals with cervical dystonia.

Your doctor may additionally advise oral drugs that relax muscles in order to enhance outcomes or to assist in reducing the dosage and frequency of botulinum toxin injections.

Therapies

Spasms may momentarily stop if you utilize sensory tricks, such as touching the other side of your face or the back of your head. Various sensory techniques are beneficial for different persons, but they frequently become less effective as the disease worsens.

Your neck and shoulder muscles can be relaxed with the use of heat packs and massage. Activities that increase neck flexibility and strength may be beneficial as well.

Learning stress management skills is crucial because cervical dystonia symptoms tends to get worse when you’re under stress.

Surgery and other procedures

Surgery may be recommended by a doctor if less invasive treatments are unsuccessful. Possible procedures could include:

• Deep brain stimulation. A procedure that involves creating a small hole in the skull to insert a thin wire into the brain. The wire is then directed to the area of the brain responsible for regulating movement. By delivering electrical pulses through the wire, nerve signals that are causing your head to twist can be interrupted, potentially reducing symptoms of cervical dystonia.
• Cutting the nerves. Another choice is to surgically cut the nerves that supply the affected muscles’ contraction signals.