Cervical dystonia, or spasmodic torticollis, is a painful condition characterized by involuntary neck muscle contraction that causes the neck to abnormally turn, tilt or flex. According to the Mayo Clinic, it is a rare disorder that commonly occurs among middle-aged women, although it may occur at any age, including infancy. Symptoms--which may range in severity from person-to-person--usually intensify over time and then stabilize.
Spasms and Head Rotation
Cervical dystonia causes spasms that may begin suddenly or gradually increase in intensity over time. According to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library, spasms in one or more neck muscles usually develop on one side of the body, causing the neck to flex on the affected side and the head to rotate to the opposite side. Torticollis occurs when the head rotates horizontally. The head may also tilt laterally, forward or backward so that the chin or ear moves toward the shoulder, or the chin moves straight down or up. These movements may appear independently or in combination, and some people amy also experience a jerking motion of the head. According to the Mayo Clinic, the movement of the chin to the shoulder is the most common movement experienced by those with cervical dystonia. Muscle spasms usually subside at nighttime while you sleep.
Pain
Spasms and abnormal neck and head posture can cause mild to severe discomfort. More than two-thirds of those with cervical dystonia have neck pain that radiates to the shoulders, according to the Mayo Clinic. Sometimes, this pain can be so severe that it causes disability or severe exhaustion. Painful headaches may also occur.
Other Physical Symptoms
According to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library, cervical dystonia usually progresses for one to five years before reaching a plateau. While 10 to 20 percent of people with the condition recover within 5 years, others may suffer from persistent, life-long symptoms. Sustained muscle contractions may lead to inflammation of the muscles and tissues in the neck region, causing nerve compression. Nerve compression can cause pain and numbness or tingling in the arms, hands and fingers, according to the Mayo Clinic. Cervical dystonia symptoms may also eventually develop in other areas of the upper body, including the arms, trunk of the body, face or jaw.
Restricted movement and permanent deformities in posture may also occur.
Depression and Anxiety
A study published in a 2002 issue of the "Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry" reports that severe depression is associated with a significant increase in reported pain and physical symptoms. Both anxiety and depression were the strongest predictors of physical and mental quality of life among those with cervical dystonia. While pain and disability may cause depression, negative thoughts associated with depression may also worsen reports of physical symptoms; therefore, it is important that you report any psychological symptoms to your doctor to ensure you receive comprehensive treatment.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Cervical Dystonia
- Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: Spasmodic Torticollis
- "Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry;" What are the determinants of quality of life in people with cervical dystonia? Y Ben-Schlomo et al.; 2002
