Dystonia: How Physiotherapy Could Help You

Living with Dystonia can be challenging. This complicated neurological movement disorder is often misunderstood and mismanaged, leaving individuals struggling to regain control of their own bodies.

If you live with dystonia, you may experience involuntary muscle contractions, tremors, spasms, and twisting movements that disrupt your daily life. Your mobility, endurance, balance, and posture can all be affected, making even simple tasks challenging.

While there is currently no cure for dystonia, there’s hope for improving your quality of life. Physiotherapy treatment for dystonia can be a valuable ally in your journey towards regaining control and finding relief.

At Valens Care, we’re dedicated to supporting individuals living with dystonia. We focus on enhancing movement and mobility, restoring function as much as possible, and managing pain.

Table of Contents

What is Dystonia?

Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder that makes it hard to control your muscles.

The condition can cause parts of your body to contract uncontrollably and involuntarily, forcing your body into abnormal and often painful movements and postures. The movements can affect a single muscle or a group of muscles, such as your arm or leg.

At present, the underlying reasons why some people develop dystonia are not fully understood. You may have inherited dystonia through your genetics, acquired it after a brain injury or your dystonia may be secondary to another health condition.

Dystonia symptoms

Because there are several different kinds of dystonia, your symptoms will depend on the affected body part and the severity of your condition. Common symptoms include:

Muscle spasms or contractions: can be painful and cause abnormal movements or postures.
Twisting or repetitive movements: may involve twisting of the neck (cervical dystonia), pulling or curling of the toes or fingers (limb dystonia), or abnormal eye movements (oculogyric dystonia).
Tremors: some may experience tremors in the affected body part.
Pain and discomfort: sustained muscle contractions and abnormal postures can contribute to discomfort and pain in the affected areas.

If you’re living with dystonia these symptoms can affect your day-to-day life in many ways. You may find that cramping in your lower limb causes your foot to turn or drag, you may struggle to hold a pen or write, or the muscles in your neck may cause your head to turn involuntarily. Some even struggle with repetitive blinking of their eyes or speaking difficulties.

Dystonia treatment with physiotherapy

At Valens Care, we understand that each person’s experience with dystonia is unique. That’s why we take a personalised approach by creating individualised programs tailored to your specific needs.

By working closely with a physiotherapist, you can work towards regaining control, improving your physical abilities, and enhancing your overall well-being.

Physiotherapy aims to help:

Enhance Strength, Flexibility, and Mobility: Physiotherapists are experts in movement. We aim to help you improve coordination, strength, flexibility, and range of motion in affected muscles. By strengthening weak muscles and stretching tight muscles we may help you improve movement.
Postural Correction: Dystonia can often lead to abnormal postures and positions. Physiotherapy may address postural abnormalities. By focusing on postural correction, physiotherapists aim to minimise stress on your muscles and joints and reduce pain and discomfort.
Pain Management: Dystonia-related muscle contractions and abnormal movements can cause pain. Physiotherapists use various pain management techniques, such as manual therapy and heat or cold therapy, to help you manage your pain.
Education and Self-Management: Physiotherapists provide education and guidance on self-management strategies to individuals living with dystonia. This may include advice on body mechanics, or lifestyle modifications to optimise function.

It’s important to note that physiotherapy is typically used as part of a multidisciplinary approach to dystonia management. Collaborating with other healthcare professionals, such as neurologists, occupational therapists, and psychologists, can ensure comprehensive care and the best possible outcomes.

The Valens Care Difference

Dystonia can have a significant effect on your quality of life. Valens Care is committed to providing personalised care and support. We understand the challenges you face, and our dedicated team of physiotherapists are here to help you navigate your journey towards improved movement and better quality of life.

Contact Valens Care today to more about how our physiotherapists can help you.

* All information is general and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Valens Care can consult with you regarding your individual health needs. 