Therapeutic Botox For Cervical Dystonia Specialist

What is cervical dystonia?

If you have cervical dystonia, you experience involuntary muscle spasms in your neck. These spasms make your head turn or tilt when you don’t want it to. Cervical dystonia is also known as spasmodic torticollis.

Many people with cervical dystonia experience a variety of abnormal head movements, which can include:

• Chin moving toward your shoulder
• Ear moving toward your shoulder
• Head tilting forward
• Head tilting backward

In addition to involuntary neck movements, cervical dystonia causes radiating neck pain and headaches. Pain can be so severe that it interferes with your daily activities and lowers your quality of life.

How can Botox treat cervical dystonia?

The cause of cervical dystonia isn’t known, but treatment with Botox is effective in relaxing neck muscles to reduce spasms. In fact, one study reports that treatment with botulinum toxin relieves cervical dystonia symptoms in up to 90% of patients.

Botox is an injectable form of purified botulinum toxin. While it’s often used to minimize facial lines and wrinkles, it has therapeutic applications as well. Botox effectively relaxes muscles and when used to treat cervical dystonia, it helps stop involuntary head movements.

What can I expect with cervical dystonia treatment?

Dr. Renk can generally diagnose cervical dystonia with a physical exam. She may order blood work or additional testing to rule out other underlying conditions when making her diagnosis.

If you have cervical dystonia, botulinum toxin injections are one of the best treatment options available. When you get Botox for cervical dystonia, Dr. Renk injects Botox directly into the affected neck muscles. The number of injections you’ll need and the location of each injection varies depending on your symptoms.

You can expect to see the effects of treatment in the days following your injections. Pain and muscle spasms should decrease significantly, with results generally lasting three to four months.

In some cases, Dr. Renk may recommend Botox injections along with a prescription medication for muscle relaxants. This combination can help you go longer between Botox injections. 

Cervical dystonia can be painful and embarrassing, but Botox can help relieve symptoms and give you a more comfortable life. Book your first appointment with Dr. Renk by calling the office today.