Dystonia is the third most common movement disorder after essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease, but remains largely unknown to the public. Dystonia is a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions causing abnormal, often repetitive, movements and/or postures.
Symptoms may impede the ability to walk (as in generalized dystonia or limb dystonia), control the posture of the head (as in cervical dystonia), speak (as in spasmodic dysphonia or oromandibular dystonia), see (as in blepharospasm), and/or write (as in hand dystonia). Many patients experience debilitating pain. There are numerous manifestations of dystonia, affecting people of all ages and backgrounds. Individuals are frequently misdiagnosed, which delays access to appropriate medical care.