Cervical dystonia, also known as spasmodic torticollis, is a rare neurological disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions in the neck that cause abnormal movements and postures of the neck and head. It is a painful condition in which your neck muscles contract involuntarily, causing your head to twist or turn to one side. Cervical dystonia can also cause your head to uncontrollably tilt forward or backward.
A rare disorder that can occur at any age although most often occurs in middle-aged people, women more than men. Symptoms generally begin gradually and then reach a point where they don’t get substantially worse.
There is no cure for cervical dystonia. The disorder sometimes resolves without treatment, but sustained remissions are uncommon. Injecting botulinum toxin into the affected muscles often reduces the signs and symptoms of cervical dystonia.
Symptoms of wry neck can begin slowly. They may also worsen over time. The most common symptoms include:
- an inability to move your head normally
- neck pain or stiffness
- a headache
- having one shoulder higher than the other
- swollen neck muscles
- a tilting of your chin to one side
Treatment for Cervical Dystonia include:
- Chiropractic Adjusting
- Acupuncture
- Reflexology
- Craniosacral Therapy
- Botox Injections
Botox Treatment appeared to be most effective at relieving cervical dystonia symptoms 6 weeks after the injections were given. Botox is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat cervical dystonia in adults. Botox is a type of drug called a neurotoxin. It works by stopping nerves from functioning.
Botox is a prescription medication that is injected into the muscles of the head, neck and shoulders to treat the abnormal head position and neck pain that happens with cervical dystonia in people 16 years of age and older.