What is cervical dystonia (torticollis)?
One way to classify the dystonias is according to the parts of the body they affect. Unlike generalized dystonia, focal dystonia is localized to a specific part of the body. Cervical dystonia, also called spasmodic torticollis, or torticollis, is the most common of the focal dystonias. It is the third most common movement disorder, after Parkinson’s disease and tremor. In torticollis, the muscles in the neck that control the position of the head are affected, causing the head to twist and turn to one side. In addition, the head may be pulled forward or backward. The cause is unknown, but the disorder is believed to be due to abnormal functioning of the basal ganglia, which are deep brain structures involved with the control of movement. Cervical dystonica may occur at any age, although most individuals first experience symptoms in middle age. It often begins slowly and usually reaches a plateau. About 10 to 20 percent of those with torticollis experience a spontaneous remission, but un
