The Brain Charity

Dystonia

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Name	Dystonia
Related to/Also known as
Symptoms of Dystonia	Dystonia is a disorder which causes muscles in the body to contract and spasm involuntarily. Spasms may affect one part of the body or many parts simultaneously and can be very painful.
Types	The Dystonias can be defined in terms of which body parts are involved. Focal - affects one part Segmental - 2 or more adjacent body parts Multifocal - 2 or more non-adjacent parts Generalised Primary focal dystonia are the most common including: Cervical dystonia (or spasmodic torticollis) affects the neck muscles. Blepharospasm affects the muscles of the eyelids. Hand dystonia/writer's cramp affects the hand and finger muscles Laryngeal dystonia (or spasmodic dysphonia) affects the vocal chords. Oromandibular dystonia affects the muscles in the jaw, mouth and tongue.
Useful national contacts	The Dystonia Society Helpline: 0845 458 6322 www.dystonia.org.uk Find your local support group: https://tinyurl.com/y2ga7azz • The Liverpool & Merseyside Support Group meets at The Brain Charity
Children & young people	Children and dystonia (The Dystonia Society) https://www.dystonia.org.uk/children-and-dystonia
Online resources	Coronavirus and Dystonia (The Dystonia Society) www.dystonia.org.uk/news/coronavirus-dystonia Dystonia (NHS website) www.nhs.uk/conditions/dystonia Dystonia and Parkinson's disease (Dystonia Society) https://tinyurl.com/yyo2pot8 Living with a condition (The Brain Charity)
News and events	Sign Joanne's petition: Dystonia needs to be recognised by all medical professions & occupational therapists https://tinyurl.com/y9y6d6pv
Our resources	The library at The Brain Charity has a range of resources on Dystonia and on a wide range of disability-related issues. This includes the book for children and young people Medikidz Explain Dystonia Management.

Face Muscles Tremor