How Is Cervical Dystonia Successfully Treated? - Dr. Shivam Mittal

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Cervical dystonia is a difficult ailment that is
non-responsive to a variety of physical therapy
treatments. But, this does not mean that it
cannot be treated at all. Neurologists and neuro
therapists like Dr. Shivam Mittal have been
successfully treating dystonia treatment in
Bangalore. There are a variety of trainings and
techniques that such successful medical
practitioners use to treat the ailment some of
them being sensory tricks, muscle vibration,
sensory stimulation, sEMG, and body awareness.
However, every dystonia patient reacts
differently to different treatments, which is why
there should be an individualized approach for
every patient to treat cervical dystonia.
Before beginning with understanding the treatment
of cervical dystonia, it is important to know
that the treatment requires a holistic and
team-based approach. Going at it alone has high
chances of failure. A perfect blend and working
together of PT, MD, OT/ST, Psych, diet, sleep,
fitness, and mindfulness is required for success.
In short, dystonia requires a mind- body-spirit
approach for successful treatment. Now, let us
take a look at the step-by-step guide to treat
cervical dystonia.
Preparing the brain
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It is always better to be completely prepared
before taking any action, whatever it may be in
life. So, with such an important procedure,
preparations are important too, arent they?
And, one of the most important preparations is
that f preparing the brain. This could be done
by providing choice for the day and therapy
session, positive expectation building, and
mental imagination of normal movements through
sensory tricks. Another very important element
is relaxing the nervous system by rocking,
swaddling, breathing meditation, or other
parasympathetic toning activities.
Training the brain
To train the brain, the first and foremost action
is to stop abnormal movements, only after which
can the brain be re-trained for normal
movements. Stopping abnormal movements This
includes change of sensory input through TENS,
kinesiotape, or vibration on an overactive
muscle. Another way could be by changing the
position or environment, like hanging upside
down, placing the head between legs, or lying
upside down. Sensory tricks can also be used for
stopping abnormal movements. Re-training normal
movements The re-training can be started from
non-targeted areas and then slowly to the
targeted ones. For example, in a patient with
difficulty in walking, it could start by
controlling the head, followed by working on the
head and body movement, focusing on the arm
movement, and then various other positions.
Another option is to improve sensory
identification while being still and in movement.
This could be done by improving sensory
identification in the neck and torso while they
are still while the head is still and torso is
moving and in different postures. Repetitive
exercises Practice makes man perfect. We have all
heard this saying and it proves true in this
situation too. Repetition and gradual progression
of the sensory and motor activities everyday can
improve the ailment.
Treating the underlying factors
Strength This includes investigating strength
imbalances that may have contributed to cervical
dystonia. Flexibility This includes the lack of
extension or rotation in spine, or the hip flexor
length.
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Balance This includes improving proprioception,
postural righting responses, and anticipatory
postural control. Biomechanics This includes
analyzing and treating the posture and movement
where dystonia is the worst. Nerve mobility
This includes checking and treating the common
upper limb tension patterns. To know more
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