Khaberni - Some individuals suffer from involuntary head and neck movements. What does that indicate?
To answer this question, the German Dystonia Society states that involuntary head and neck movements are due to cervical dystonia, also known as "spasmodic torticollis," which is the most common type of dystonia, a movement control disorder originating in the brain and uncontrollable.
Dystonia can lead to involuntary activity of some muscle groups, thus resulting in postural deformities or sometimes extremely painful movements. It is currently believed that dystonia arises from a central disorder in the basal ganglia, cerebellum, and cerebral cortex network, which are the regulatory circuits in the brain responsible for movement.
In cervical dystonia, the neck moves involuntarily without the sufferer being able to control its movement, resulting from sudden muscle contractions (spasms).
In cervical dystonia, the neck can move in various ways as follows:
Lateral tilt (lateral cervical twist)
Rotation (cervical twist)
Forward bend (anterocollis)
Backward bend (retrocollis)
The German Neurological Society has clarified that this condition often first appears in adulthood, typically between the ages of twenty and sixty, and affects women more than men.
Possible Causes
In most cases, the cause of the involuntary muscle contractions is unclear. In some cases, cervical dystonia results from a genetic mutation, as about 52% of patients have a family history of the disorder.
It has also been observed that some dystonia cases occur concurrently with brain damage or neck muscle injuries.
Dystonia may also develop after prolonged use of certain antipsychotic or psychiatric medications. Internal stress, such as emotional distress and problems, can sometimes exacerbate spasmodic torticollis.
Treatment Options
The German Dystonia Society points out that cervical dystonia is considered an incurable disease, but its discomfort can be mitigated through physical therapy; muscle training improves their flexibility and reduces the severity or frequency of contractions.
Physical therapy also helps identify movements that may exacerbate spasms, facilitating their avoidance.
Botox treatment is also effective as it relaxes the muscles, preventing involuntary neck movements.
Besides physical therapy, in some cases, medication therapy such as nerve medicines that relax muscles, and antiepileptics may also be considered.
In severe cases, deep brain stimulation may be considered where trained specialists implant small electrical leads into the brain. This electrical stimulation can affect neural signaling pathways and alleviate or eliminate involuntary movements. Given the risks involved, this procedure should be considered carefully.
