Treatment for dystonia is determined by your Inova Movement Disorders Program doctor based on:
- Your age, overall health, and medical history
- Extent and severity of the dystonia
- Type and location of the dystonia
- Your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
- Expectations for the course of the condition
- Your opinion or preference
We have yet to find a cure for dystonia or many of the underlying causes. However, based on the severity of the symptoms and medical profile, the doctor will establish an appropriate treatment protocol. Treatment may include the following:
Medication for dystonia
Once the diagnosis of dystonia has been made, the next decision is whether a patient should receive medication based on his or her condition. This can include specific medications to help reduce the painful overactive muscle activity or can include treatments specific to the underlying cause of the dystonia. No two patients react the same way to a given drug. It takes time and patience to find an appropriate medication and dosage to alleviate symptoms.
Botulinum injections are an FDA indicated, effective treatment for dystonia. Through targeted injections, a movement disorder specialist can use botulinum toxin to reduce the over activity of the troublesome muscles. A trained movement disorders specialist can use electromyography (EMG) to precisely guide the placement of the toxin to only the affected muscles, thus improving the effectiveness and minimizing any possible pain and side effects. These injections allow relief from the symptoms of dystonia for potentially months without the risk of side effects associated with some oral medications. Botulinum injections are proven to significantly improve the pain, tightness and disfiguring muscle contractions that occur in dystonia. Learn more about the EMG-guided botulinum injections at Inova Movement Disorders Program 
Surgery for dystonia
Based on the severity of the condition and the medical profile, the doctor may recommend surgery as one treatment option for dystonia.
The main surgery for dystonia is called deep brain stimulation (DBS). It is aimed at helping to reduce the overactive signals being sent from the brain to the muscles. Though it does not cure the dystonia or stop the progression of any underlying disease that might be causing the dystonia, it can provide significant relief from the pain, movements, or dystonic posturing. In many patients, DBS surgery has been shown to decrease the amount of medication that is needed to control the symptoms.
With deep brain stimulation (DBS), a small electrode is placed in the critical parts of the brain that help to control movement. The electrode is attached to a small battery in the chest wall and is connected by wires that are placed under the skin. The stimulator is then turned on and interrupts the flow of abnormal information that causes the involuntary muscle contractions in dystonia. Learn more about DBS from Inova Movement Disorders Program
Contact us
For more information on dystonia, including specialty cervical, generalized or focal dystonia care and treatment, contact Inova Movement Disorders Program at 703-845-1500.