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DYSTONIA

Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder that results in sustained or repetitive muscle contractions. This can lead to twisting, repetitive movements and abnormal fixed postures.

It can occur in any muscle and in many cases, has a tendency to spread to other muscles or muscle groups. For many people who suffer from dystonia, the extra load these tight muscles place on joints and affected tissue can cause significant pain. Cervical Dystonia (also known as Spasmodic Torticollis) is specific type of dystonia that affects the neck and sometimes the shoulder.

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About This Condition

Causes of Dystonia

The Sternocleidomastoid muscle is the main tissue involved, as it contracts to cause a torsional aspect of the neck and head in a lateral and rotated position. This can be a sustained contraction, or a jerky or clonic movement may be associated, as it will sometimes switch from side to side.

Types of Dystonia

Dystonia can occur as a primary disorder, not involved with any other neurological condition, or secondary disorder, involving additional metabolic, pharmaceutical or previous injury. The etiology of cervical dystonia is unknown, but we now understand that it can be associated with the Basal Ganglia, Cerebellum and Parietal Lobe of the Cortex. Cervical dystonia can be inherited, as the DYT1 gene has been linked to individuals with this disorder.

Symptoms of Dystonia

Cervical dystonia can cause many symptoms of discomfort for those who suffer from the disorder. Common symptoms abnormal posture or body part positioning and pain in or near the specific muscle affected. It can also cause imbalance, disequilibrium, vertigo and dizziness. Previous injury may be also be a precursor to this disorder.

How We Can Help

Medical intervention is often limited to Injecting Botulinum toxin into affected regions. However, over the past 25 years, Chiropractic Neurology has been researching effective ways to alleviate this condition. Most individuals with this condition have related spatial awareness issues in a region of the brain known as the Parietal lobe, which receives all sensory input from our body. In addition, the Basal Ganglia is highly involved, which is known more commonly for its involvement in Parkinson’s disease. However, in this condition, the Neostriatum is involved, creating a hyperkinetic condition resulting in excessive contraction of the muscle or muscle group, and thus leading to abnormal posture.

Through advanced testing, we are able to determine the source of the signal disruption between these areas of the brain, retrain them appropriately, reducing hyper-excitation of the muscle(s), returning it to its normal position. Essentially, we are retraining patterns that have been altered for one reason or another, restoring normal communication and control.

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The team of Functional Neurologists at Integrated Brain Centers are experts in helping patients of all ages suffering from concussion and brain injuries.

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