Dystonia is characterized by involuntary muscle contractions and uncontrollable spasms, which are often repetitive and can lead to unusual, strange and painful postures.
Muscle dystonia usually occurs due to a brain problem in the nervous system, which is responsible for controlling muscle movement. This brain problem can be genetic or be the result of a disease or injury such as a stroke, Parkinson’s disease, head blow or encephalitis.
- Dystonia has no cure.
- But muscle spasms can be controlled with treatment.
- Which can be done with injections of botulinum toxin.
- Known as botox.
- Medication.
- Physical therapy.
- Or surgery.
Symptoms may vary depending on affected areas and type of dystonia
In addition, the person may also develop hemidystonia, in which an entire side of the body is affected, causing involuntary spasms and muscle stiffness throughout that side of the body.
The main goal of dystonia treatment is to control involuntary muscle contractions and therefore improve a person’s appearance and quality of life.
The choice of treatment should be made by the doctor, depending on the severity and type of dystonia:
Dystonia can be treated with injections of botulinum toxin, known as botox, because this substance helps reduce the involuntary muscle contractions characteristic of this disease.
Botox injections are given by your doctor directly into the affected muscles, usually every 3 months and it is normal to feel pain at the injection site for a few days. In addition, Botox injections can cause other side effects, depending on the injection site. difficulty swallowing, for example in cases of cervical dystonia.
Pharmacological treatment for dystonia may include the use of the following remedies:
These remedies should be prescribed by your doctor, and dosage and mode of use may vary depending on the severity of dystonia.
Physiotherapeutic treatment of dystonia consists of performing specific exercises or techniques to help maintain full movement, improve posture, relieve pain, avoid shortening or weakening the affected muscles, and improve the patient’s quality of life.
In addition, physical therapy helps prevent muscle contractures and reduces the side effects of botox treatment by relieving pain or stimulating swallowing, for example, which may be compromised by botox.
Surgical treatment of dystonia can be performed using two techniques
These surgical options are usually only performed when other treatments have not been effective.