What Is Dystonia? How Neurological Care Can Improve Muscle Control and Comfort

Dystonia involves uncontrolled and often painful muscle movements like twisting, tension, and spasms. 

At Delaware NeuroRehab in Dover, Newark, and Lewes, Delaware, our multidisciplinary team specializes in personalized neurorehabilitation. We can create an individualized neurological care plan to help you manage dystonia symptoms like muscle tension and pain. 

Here’s everything you should know about what dystonia is and how neurological care can improve the symptoms. 

What dystonia feels like

Dystonia, the third most common movement disorder, causes involuntary muscle contractions. It may cause you to twist and turn your body into awkward positions and affect your posture. 

Dystonia-related muscle contractions can:

• Cause pain or discomfort
• Cause fatigue
• Worsen with intentional muscle use
• Vary in duration
• Be repetitive

Focal dystonia is a type that only affects one part of your body. For example, focal dystonia of the jaw may cause bruxism (teeth grinding) and temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ). Generalized dystonia, on the other hand, can involve your whole body. 

Causes of dystonia

Primary dystonia appears without a clear cause, but experts believe it may run in families. Secondary dystonia can be traced to a specific underlying cause, like another medical condition. 

Some of the most common causes of secondary dystonia are:

• Brain tumors
• Brain injuries
• Stroke
• Drugs or medications
• Toxins
• Infections
• Other neurological disorders (e.g., Parkinson’s disease)

The cause of your dystonia can influence your treatment options. If you have secondary dystonia, our team considers the cause while planning your treatment. 

Neurological care options for dystonia 

Most experts agree that a plan that includes multiple approaches is the most effective way to manage dystonia. Here are some examples:

Botulinum toxin

Botulinum toxin injections contain neurotoxins that temporarily deactivate targeted muscles so they stop being overactive. They’re often used to treat dystonia of the neck. 

Deep brain stimulation

Deep brain stimulation uses mild electricity to stimulate your brain and improve dystonia symptoms. A surgically implanted device stays in your brain, and you can control it with a remote control. 

Physical and occupational therapy

Physical and occupational therapy are highly individualized based on your neuromuscular symptoms. You work with trained therapists to exercise and perform tasks that help you adapt to living with dystonia while reducing its impact on your quality of life. 

Get in touch

The Delaware NeuroRehab team can help you explore neurological care options for dystonia. Call your nearest location or request an appointment online to learn more about dystonia care.