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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staff
Twisted neck
The muscle contractions involved in cervical dystonia can cause your head to twist in a variety of directions, including:
- Chin toward shoulder
- Ear toward shoulder
- Chin straight up
- Chin straight down
The most common type of twisting associated with cervical dystonia is when your chin is pulled toward your shoulder. Some people experience a combination of abnormal head postures. A jerking motion of the head also may occur.
Pain
At least two-thirds of the people who have cervical dystonia also experience neck pain that can radiate into the shoulders. The disorder also can cause severe headaches. In some people, the pain from cervical dystonia can be exhausting and disabling.
Other
- Tremor. Cervical dystonia may also cause tremors in your arm or hand.
- Shoulder elevation. The disorder may also cause the shoulder on your affected side to pull up toward your ear.
- Dystonias fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/dystonias/dystonias.htm. Accessed Oct. 24, 2008.
- Bang MS, et al. Cervical dystonia. In: Frontera WR, et al. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/108327421-3/763666283/1678/124.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4007-1..50107-3_1714. Accessed Oct. 24, 2008.
- Stacy M. Epidemiology, clinical presentation and diagnosis of cervical dystonia. Neurological Clinics. 2008;26(suppl 1):23.
- Singer C, et al. Cervical dystonia: Etiology and pathophysiology. Neurological Clinics. 2008;26(suppl 1):9.
- Neurological diagnostic tests and procedures. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/misc/diagnostic_tests.htm. Accessed Oct. 29, 2008.
- Swope D, et al. Treatment recommendations and practical applications of botulinum toxin treatment of cervical dystonia. Neurological Clinics. 2008;26(suppl 1):54.
- Bajwa ZH. Botulinum toxins for dystonia, spasticity and chronic pain. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 30, 2008.
- Su M, et al. Anticholinergic poisoning. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 30, 2008.
- NINDS deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/deep_brain_stimulation/deep_brain_stimulation.htm. Accessed Oct. 30, 2008.
