dystonia
Sustained muscle contractions
Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder causing muscles to contract involuntarily, producing repetitive twisting movements or abnormal postures.
It can affect a single body part (focal dystonia), adjacent regions, or the entire body.
Writer's cramp is a form of focal dystonia.
The condition ranges from mild to severely disabling, with causes including genetics, brain injury, or certain medications.
Not under conscious control
- contractionReduction in size
- twitchingInvoluntary muscular contractions
- spasmInvoluntary muscle contraction
- crampingInvoluntary muscle contraction
twisting · posturing · tremor · jerking · writhing · rigidity · stiffness · tension
Of the neck
- focalOf a central point
- generalizedMade widely applicable
- segmentalDivided into sections
- torticollisCervical muscle contracture disorder
writer's cramp · laryngeal · musician's · primary · secondary · paroxysmal · cranial · limb
Subcortical motor-control nuclei
- dopamineReward-linked neural messenger
- motor controlRegulation of bodily movement
- movement disorderNeurological motor dysfunction
- neurotransmitterSynaptic chemical messenger
cerebellum · neurodegeneration · genetics · hereditary · acetylcholine · GABA · dyskinesia · bradykinesia
- BotoxCosmetic paralytic injection
- deep brain stimulationImplanted electrodes modulating neural circuits
- physical therapyRehabilitative movement-based medical care
- medicationTherapeutic substance for illness
rehabilitation · neurologist · muscle relaxants · anticholinergics · occupational therapy · speech therapy · DBS · stretching
Persisting over time
- debilitatingCausing severe impairment
- progressiveFavoring reform and innovation
- disabilityImpairment affecting life activities
- painBodily or emotional distress
fatigue · quality of life · social isolation · depression · anxiety · coping · adaptation · support group
Athletic motor skill collapse
- embouchureWind player's mouth position
- golfer'sBelonging to course player
- pianist'sBelonging to keyboard musician
- writer's crampHand strain from prolonged scribing
involuntary
Not under conscious control
- contractionReduction in size
- twitchingInvoluntary muscular contractions
- spasmInvoluntary muscle contraction
cramping · twisting · posturing · tremor · jerking · writhing · rigidity · stiffness · tension · tics
cervical
Of the neck
- focalOf a central point
- generalizedMade widely applicable
- segmentalDivided into sections
torticollis · writer's cramp · laryngeal · musician's · primary · secondary · paroxysmal · cranial · limb
basal ganglia
Subcortical motor-control nuclei
- dopamineReward-linked neural messenger
- motor controlRegulation of bodily movement
- movement disorderNeurological motor dysfunction
neurotransmitter · cerebellum · neurodegeneration · genetics · hereditary · acetylcholine · GABA · dyskinesia · bradykinesia · ataxia
botulinum toxin
- BotoxCosmetic paralytic injection
- deep brain stimulationImplanted electrodes modulating neural circuits
- physical therapyRehabilitative movement-based medical care
medication · rehabilitation · neurologist · muscle relaxants · anticholinergics · occupational therapy · speech therapy · DBS · stretching · biofeedback
chronic
Persisting over time
- debilitatingCausing severe impairment
- progressiveFavoring reform and innovation
- disabilityImpairment affecting life activities
pain · fatigue · quality of life · social isolation · depression · anxiety · coping · adaptation · support group · invisible illness
yips
Athletic motor skill collapse
- embouchureWind player's mouth position
- golfer'sBelonging to course player
- pianist'sBelonging to keyboard musician
writer's cramp · occupational · performance anxiety · overuse
- Neurodisabilitiescerebral palsy, autism, epilepsy, ASD, ADHD
- neurological symptomsnumbness, tremor, paralysis, aphasia, ataxia
- pediatric neurologyepilepsy, seizures, cerebral palsy, seizure, developmental delay
- Dopamine DisordersParkinson's disease, parkinsonism, dyskinesia, bradykinesia, rigidity
- movement disorderstremor, chorea, tremors, bradykinesia, myoclonus
- ParkinsonismParkinson disease, tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity, deep brain stimulation
dystoniavoluntary movement
Self-initiated bodily action
muscle relaxation · flaccidity · hypotonia · atonia · motor control