The Brain Charity

Dystonia

D

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	Dystonia UK www.dystonia.org.uk 89 Albert Embankment London SE1 7TP This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 020 7793 3651 Find your local support group https://www.dystonia.org.uk/your-local-support-group The Liverpool group meets at The Brain Charity https://www.dystonia.org.uk/liverpool-merseyside
Children & young people
Online resources	Covid-19 Vaccinations (Dystonia UK www.dystonia.org.uk/news/covid-19-vaccinations Coronavirus and Dystonia (Dystonia UK) https://www.dystonia.org.uk/News/coronavirus-and-dystonia Dystonia (NHS website) www.nhs.uk/conditions/dystonia 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