What is Cervical Dystonia and how do you treat it?

I agree with the ortho aspect of your video but I wish it had addressed its neurological component as it grossly affects the basal ganglia, cerebellar and frontal brain activity. The weakness and spasm of SCM has to be treated via the brain . I’m a physical therapist as well and dystonia rehab imo is these 3 ways: 1. Daily walking to promote inter hemispheric connection ( as right brain activity is diminished in dystonia) 2. Exercises to get the neck out of the prominent ATNR ( a primitive reflex that gets established due to diminished frontal and pre frontal brain) 3. Breathing exs ( minimum 20 mins) to calm the vagus nerve. When these are done over a few months, it’s possible to increase tone of the hypotonic SCM

I'm so glad this has a name. I've had it for years and I've been pulling my hair out trying to figure out a solution for it. Constant headaches, stiffness, aches and pains, seeking different therapies... and of course the annoying muscle contractions. Thank you for this.

Im making a pretty wild recovery from generalized dystonia that went just about everywhere in my body. Me and my chiro are doing a lot of research together as we recognize my recovery is accelerating beyond the expected. I think doctors give up too quickly on this condition. While there’s no pill or single therapy that can cure the disease the mind has the power to rewire new connections and then forget the old ones. Using this principal Im learning to fight through every single tic and find its source and teach the muscle to stop contracting! Don’t give up with dystonia! Have gone from needing a walker to squatting, deadlifting, running, etc nothing is too hard any longer! Me and my doc aren’t sure what to expect at this point but Im determined to make a full recovery!

How is this on 17000 views this deserves 100 million views. This is very informative stuff I have mild dystonia and currently seeing treatment and it's difficult on me as well but I'm trying to be hopeful so this video helps out even though it's a different phrase but it's very informative. Thank you 👍🏾👍🏾

I have had this from birth (20 years) I’ve done it all, Botox injections, deep massages, scraping that scm muscle, chiropractor, physical therapy. Nothing is working so it’s time to get surgery! Lol wish me good luck

Physical therapy can help with the symptoms but not so much the causes (meanwhile, chiropractors will do more harm than good). There are different types of cervical dystonia; there isn't a single "cervical dystonia". In some cases it is genetic, in others it seems to be the result of physical injuries (car crashes etc.) – and in many cases it is psychogenic (e.g. stress, anxiety, trauma) yet the psychogenic root of dystonia is severely overlooked.

I am a therapist in Scotland and work with clients on the impact psychological that past experiences may have had on the causes of dystonia. This often helps make noticeable improvements and if your clinic was nearer 😁 i would certainly send clients. There seems to be very little meaningful research in this area and generaly the medical profession often don't know what to do with it. Great video thanks.

I have a MRI in two days. I have been told that this is a possibility for what I have, along with CP. After 19, almost 20 years, I might finally have a diagnosis! I wasn't breathing for almost 10 minutes when I was born so that is what most likely caused it if I do have it. So I have come a long way and I still can't believe I'll almost have a for sure diagnosis soon!

I respect what you said encouraging us to allow "professionals" to touch "us" (those of us with Cervical Dystonia) but having this ailment as long as I can remember and feeling if anyone touched me I would Whiplash, you have no real idea. I hope you never do.. I am still waiting for relaxation,,, and I am 68. I am glad you have studied this plight, it gives me hope .... (You Go Girl..!!)

Extremely helpful video! Thank you!

eu tenho essa doença, é muito dolorosa e constrangedora.

When should you see a Dr.?

I was diagnosed with cervical dystonia over a year ago, I'm beginning to think it's actually essential tremors. I started taking Magnesium and it has all but stopped. Only rarely now does my head violently shake.

I have had this for many years

Can this also cause ear issues?

I had a bad sleeping position today and now i cant move my head at all... So i looked this up. Im scared i might be diagnosed with this

Nice video , some excersis would have helped.

Thank you. Your information is very helpful. Thinking I will do physical therapy on my own... Seems as though people, meaning Many physical therapist are not aware of this condition. 10 yrs. Ago Lady looked at me as though I was faking or making it up. Put me on 2 machines 2xs a weak. One was a bicycle wheel I had to roll with my arms. 😆 lol... Needless to say, was a joke. Hopefully with your great information people can be more educationally aware that this condition needs attention to make ones life normal again.

The sternocleidomastoid does not attach to the jaw

I’m a 22 year old guy and was told that I have bulging discs on one side of my neck but there’s no nerve damage. My range of motion is very much restricted by what I suspect is cervical dystonia. This also affects my balance/walk slightly and I’m extremely self conscious about it as my head can sometimes look slanted unless I click my neck into a more balanced position every day. Initiation of treatment and surgery has been delayed due to Covid, but I wondered whether you had any advice in the meantime and what type of surgery could be carried out (I.e would it involve removal of these bulging discs etc). I’ve had this since I was about 18 and it all started with severe anxiety where my neck would spasm/shake in some of my classes. I’m worried that if I don’t get surgery soon then it’ll only get worse from here.