What Happens if Cervical Dystonia is Left Untreated?

Cervical dystonia (spasmodic torticollis) is a neurological condition that causes involuntary muscle contractions in the neck. Symptoms vary from mild to severe and often lead to pain and disability. Untreated cervical dystonia may lead to long-term damage, so it's important to seek out treatment in Wayne, PA as soon as possible.

Though there is no cure for cervical dystonia, many options can help manage symptoms. One such solution is neurotoxin medicine at Aether Medicine, which has been shown to reduce muscle spasms and improve quality of life. Ask board-certified physical medicine and rehabilitation physician Dr. Asare Christian about neurotoxin injections, like BOTOX®, to treat issues that affect the muscles and nerves.

What causes cervical dystonia?

Doctors cannot pinpoint a specific cause for cervical dystonia in most cases, but it is likely caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Researchers have also linked this neurological condition to moderate or severe head, neck, or shoulder injuries.

Spasmodic torticollis can cause your head to twist into uncomfortable or painful positions, such as "chin toward shoulder" or "ear toward shoulder." Abnormal head postures and jerking motions make it challenging to participate in everyday activities.

What if cervical dystonia goes untreated too long?

Untreated cervical dystonia may lead to long-term damage to the body. Involuntary muscle contractions may spread to nearby areas, like the arms or trunk. People with spasmodic torticollis may also experience chronic neck pain, headaches, and limited neck mobility for life.

How does neurotoxin medicine help?

Dr. Christian has years of experience helping patients in Wayne, PA address unwanted muscle spasms, including those caused by neurological conditions, like cervical dystonia. Neurotoxin injections with BOTOX, Dysport®, XEOMIN®, and MYOBLOC® contain purified proteins that block the signals between nerve cells and muscles. This reduces contractions in the targeted areas.

Why is it important to treat spasmodic torticollis sooner rather than later?

Cervical dystonia is an unpredictable condition and symptoms are known to vary from one day to the next. Since untreated muscle spasms can potentially lead to serious medical conditions, it's important to have a comprehensive treatment plan in place.

Treatment is effective when administered as early as possible, especially for younger patients with healthy muscles. Dr. Christian can help new patients begin with solutions in neurotoxin medicine to reduce painful muscle contractions.

What are the benefits of neurotoxin medicine?

At Aether Medicine, we only offer the most effective methods for patients who experience pain on a regular basis. We are proud to offer neurotoxin injections because they are far safer and far less invasive than other options, like surgery. Plus, they address a wide variety of issues and conditions. Injections are quick and are relatively painless.

Patients can expect results from the treatment within just 1 – 2 weeks. While outcomes vary, most patients with cervical dystonia see a reduction in symptoms for about 3 – 6 months.

Find relief from painful muscle contractions

Involuntary muscle contractions from spasmodic torticollis can affect your quality of life and lead to long-term medical issues when left unaddressed. Now, you can obtain relief through neurotoxin medicine. Dr. Asare Christian and the experienced professionals at Aether Medicine can assess your cervical dystonia symptoms in Wayne, PA. Call and see how we help you get back to enjoying life without pain.