&lt;h1 data-start=&quot;246&quot; data-end=&quot;286&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Is Cervical Dystonia?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;288&quot; data-end=&quot;555&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Have you ever had a muscle twitch you couldn&amp;rsquo;t quite explain? Now imagine if your neck muscles started doing that &lt;em data-start=&quot;402&quot; data-end=&quot;414&quot;&gt;on purpose&lt;/em&gt; &amp;mdash; turning, tilting, or jerking your head without asking you first. That&amp;rsquo;s what happens in a movement condition called &lt;strong data-start=&quot;533&quot; data-end=&quot;554&quot;&gt;cervical dystonia&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;557&quot; data-end=&quot;784&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Cervical dystonia &amp;mdash; sometimes called &lt;strong data-start=&quot;594&quot; data-end=&quot;619&quot;&gt;spasmodic torticollis&lt;/strong&gt; &amp;mdash; is a condition where the muscles in the neck contract &lt;em data-start=&quot;676&quot; data-end=&quot;691&quot;&gt;involuntarily&lt;/em&gt;. That means they tighten or pull even when you don&amp;rsquo;t want them to, which can make your head:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;788&quot; data-end=&quot;806&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Tilt to one side&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;809&quot; data-end=&quot;835&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Turn forward or backward&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;838&quot; data-end=&quot;872&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Twist in an unexpected direction&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;875&quot; data-end=&quot;898&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Rock or jerk suddenly&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;900&quot; data-end=&quot;1116&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;People with this condition sometimes describe it as their neck having a &amp;ldquo;mind of its own&amp;rdquo; &amp;mdash; and unfortunately, that can make everyday tasks like looking straight ahead, driving, or even eating a bit more challenging.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1118&quot; data-end=&quot;1297&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;This doesn&amp;rsquo;t come from poor posture or sleeping wrong &amp;mdash; it&amp;rsquo;s a &lt;strong data-start=&quot;1181&quot; data-end=&quot;1216&quot;&gt;neurological movement condition&lt;/strong&gt; where the signals between your brain and neck muscles don&amp;rsquo;t coordinate normally.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1118&quot; data-end=&quot;1297&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;1304&quot; data-end=&quot;1327&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What&amp;rsquo;s Going On?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1329&quot; data-end=&quot;1555&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Your brain normally sends smooth, balanced signals to muscles to tell them when to tighten and when to relax. With cervical dystonia, the communication gets a little mixed up, and certain neck muscles fire when they shouldn&amp;rsquo;t.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1557&quot; data-end=&quot;1704&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;It might sound bizarre, but it&amp;rsquo;s a real &lt;em data-start=&quot;1597&quot; data-end=&quot;1625&quot;&gt;muscle coordination glitch&lt;/em&gt; &amp;mdash; kind of like when a computer skips a beat and the cursor jumps unexpectedly.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1706&quot; data-end=&quot;1879&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;The exact reasons why this happens aren&amp;rsquo;t always clear, but researchers think a mix of genetics and changes in how certain brain areas process movement signals are involved.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1706&quot; data-end=&quot;1879&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;1886&quot; data-end=&quot;1926&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Common Forms of Cervical Dystonia&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;1928&quot; data-end=&quot;2026&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Cervical dystonia can show up in different patterns, depending on which neck muscles are involved:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2030&quot; data-end=&quot;2071&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2030&quot; data-end=&quot;2046&quot;&gt;Torticollis:&lt;/strong&gt; Neck tilts to one side&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2074&quot; data-end=&quot;2113&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2074&quot; data-end=&quot;2091&quot;&gt;Laterocollis:&lt;/strong&gt; Head tilts sideways&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2116&quot; data-end=&quot;2154&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2116&quot; data-end=&quot;2133&quot;&gt;Anterocollis:&lt;/strong&gt; Head tilts forward&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2157&quot; data-end=&quot;2195&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2157&quot; data-end=&quot;2173&quot;&gt;Retrocollis:&lt;/strong&gt; Head tilts backward&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2198&quot; data-end=&quot;2248&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2198&quot; data-end=&quot;2222&quot;&gt;Rotational patterns:&lt;/strong&gt; Head twists left or right&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2250&quot; data-end=&quot;2318&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Some people have one predominant pattern, while others notice a mix.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2250&quot; data-end=&quot;2318&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;2502&quot; data-end=&quot;2524&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Common Symptoms&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;2526&quot; data-end=&quot;2617&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Cervical dystonia can show up in different ways, but some of the most common signs include:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2621&quot; data-end=&quot;2663&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2621&quot; data-end=&quot;2661&quot;&gt;Involuntary neck muscle contractions&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2666&quot; data-end=&quot;2703&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2666&quot; data-end=&quot;2701&quot;&gt;Twisting or tilting of the head&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2706&quot; data-end=&quot;2738&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2706&quot; data-end=&quot;2736&quot;&gt;Pain or aching in the neck&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2741&quot; data-end=&quot;2769&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2741&quot; data-end=&quot;2767&quot;&gt;Tightness or stiffness&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2772&quot; data-end=&quot;2811&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2772&quot; data-end=&quot;2809&quot;&gt;Head tremors or jerking movements&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2814&quot; data-end=&quot;2866&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2814&quot; data-end=&quot;2866&quot;&gt;Trouble holding your head in a &amp;ldquo;normal&amp;rdquo; position&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2868&quot; data-end=&quot;3020&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Some people also describe a sensation of their head &lt;strong data-start=&quot;2920&quot; data-end=&quot;2939&quot;&gt;feeling &amp;ldquo;heavy&amp;rdquo;&lt;/strong&gt; or like they have to constantly &lt;em data-start=&quot;2972&quot; data-end=&quot;2979&quot;&gt;fight&lt;/em&gt; the muscle movement to stay comfortable.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3022&quot; data-end=&quot;3165&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;These symptoms can come and go at first, or even worsen with stress, fatigue, or certain movements &amp;mdash; and in some cases, they can be persistent.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;3172&quot; data-end=&quot;3209&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Causes Cervical Dystonia?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;3211&quot; data-end=&quot;3328&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Doctors aren&amp;rsquo;t always sure why cervical dystonia begins, but they&amp;rsquo;ve identified a few factors that might play a role:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3330&quot; data-end=&quot;3671&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;3332&quot; data-end=&quot;3349&quot;&gt;Genetic links&lt;/strong&gt; &amp;mdash; some people may inherit a predisposition&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3330&quot; data-end=&quot;3671&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;3397&quot; data-end=&quot;3435&quot;&gt;Changes in brain movement pathways&lt;/strong&gt; &amp;mdash; especially in the basal ganglia&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3330&quot; data-end=&quot;3671&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;3474&quot; data-end=&quot;3528&quot;&gt;Injury or irritation to the neck muscles or nerves&lt;/strong&gt; (rarely)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3330&quot; data-end=&quot;3671&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;3542&quot; data-end=&quot;3568&quot;&gt;Age and gender factors&lt;/strong&gt; &amp;mdash; it tends to occur most often in adults&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3330&quot; data-end=&quot;3671&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;3614&quot; data-end=&quot;3635&quot;&gt;Stress or fatigue&lt;/strong&gt; &amp;mdash; can make symptoms more noticeable&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3673&quot; data-end=&quot;3796&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;It&amp;rsquo;s &lt;em data-start=&quot;3678&quot; data-end=&quot;3683&quot;&gt;not&lt;/em&gt; caused by bad posture or muscles being &amp;ldquo;weak&amp;rdquo; &amp;mdash; it&amp;rsquo;s about the brain&amp;rsquo;s messaging system being a bit out of sync.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3673&quot; data-end=&quot;3796&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;3803&quot; data-end=&quot;3835&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;When to Seek Medical Help&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;3837&quot; data-end=&quot;3894&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;You should talk with a healthcare provider if you notice:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3898&quot; data-end=&quot;3926&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Involuntary neck movements&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3929&quot; data-end=&quot;3951&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Persistent neck pain&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3954&quot; data-end=&quot;3992&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Trouble with normal head positioning&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3995&quot; data-end=&quot;4042&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Symptoms that interfere with daily activities&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4045&quot; data-end=&quot;4084&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Head movements that get worse over time&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4086&quot; data-end=&quot;4255&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Even though cervical dystonia is a long-term movement condition, it&amp;rsquo;s &lt;strong data-start=&quot;4156&quot; data-end=&quot;4170&quot;&gt;manageable&lt;/strong&gt; &amp;mdash; and many people find treatment that helps them be more comfortable and functional.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4086&quot; data-end=&quot;4255&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;4262&quot; data-end=&quot;4287&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Is It Treated?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;4289&quot; data-end=&quot;4365&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;There&amp;rsquo;s no one-size-fits-all cure, but treatments can make a big difference:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4367&quot; data-end=&quot;4679&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;4370&quot; data-end=&quot;4408&quot;&gt;Botulinum toxin (Botox) injections&lt;/strong&gt; &amp;mdash; a common and effective way to relax overactive muscles&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4367&quot; data-end=&quot;4679&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;4471&quot; data-end=&quot;4491&quot;&gt;Physical therapy&lt;/strong&gt; &amp;mdash; to improve posture and muscle balance&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4367&quot; data-end=&quot;4679&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;4537&quot; data-end=&quot;4557&quot;&gt;Oral medications&lt;/strong&gt; &amp;mdash; sometimes used to reduce muscle tightness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4367&quot; data-end=&quot;4679&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;4607&quot; data-end=&quot;4640&quot;&gt;Supportive care and education&lt;/strong&gt; &amp;mdash; learning tools to cope with symptoms&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4681&quot; data-end=&quot;4779&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;A movement disorder specialist or neurologist can tailor a plan based on your pattern of symptoms.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4681&quot; data-end=&quot;4779&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;4786&quot; data-end=&quot;4809&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Friendly Takeaway&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4811&quot; data-end=&quot;5080&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Cervical dystonia is a movement condition where the neck muscles pull in ways your brain didn&amp;rsquo;t intend. It can be uncomfortable and confusing, but with understanding and good medical care, many people find ways to manage their symptoms and enjoy life with greater ease.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;5082&quot; data-end=&quot;5221&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;If neck movements or pain feel unusual or persistent, talking to a clinician sooner can help you find the right support and treatment plan.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;5228&quot; data-end=&quot;5400&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

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