Get Cervical Dystonia Symptoms

The treatment of choice for cervical dystonia is (BoNT) injections, which are administered into target neck muscles to cause selective denervation and relaxation of the abnormal neck posture.

The cause of Cervical dystonia is often unknown. In some cases there is a family history. Several genes have been associated with Cervical dystonia, including GNAL, THAP1, CIZ1, and ANO3. Other cases may be linked to an underlying disease (e.g. Parkinson disease), neck trauma, or certain medications.

The treatment of choice for cervical dystonia is (BoNT) injections, which are administered into target neck muscles to cause selective denervation and relaxation of the abnormal neck posture.

If left untreated, symptoms of cervical dystonia rarely go away on their own. Mild to moderate cases of muscle shortening in the neck can be successfully treated with physical therapy and other rehabilitative exercises.

Cervical dystonia is characterized by involuntary muscle contractions in the neck that cause abnormal movements and postures of the neck and head. In some cases, these abnormal contractions may be sustained or continuous; in others, they may be present as spasms that can resemble tremor.

Cervical dystonia is a serious neurological disorder with no known cure as yet. Unlike other types of dystonia, it can involve significant physical pain and disability. It's worsened by stress.

While a physical examination alone can often confirm a diagnosis of cervical dystonia, your doctor might suggest blood tests or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to rule out any underlying conditions causing your signs and symptoms.

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.