Other neurological movement disorder. Dealing with sustained muscle contractions that cause twisting and repetitive movements or abnormal postures.
What does this have to do with Parkinson’s disease? It can be part of the PD.
Symptoms can include disturbed sleep patterns, tiredness, depression, poor concentration, vision changes, and more. Normal activities may be more difficult to carry out. Sounds like other diseases too, right? That is why it is extremely important not to self-diagnose. Neurologists and Movement Disorders Specialists are medical specialists in various areas such as dystonia and PD, with the ability to clearly differentiate the similarities of diseases with commonalities such as these.
In addition to the symptoms listed above, dystonia tends to cause ongoing pain, cramps, and muscle spasms. Calligraphy can be altered, dropping items becomes common, turning pages becomes a struggle. The list can go on. Dystonia can mimic PD in a number of ways, and diagnosis can be difficult depending on how the disease manifests its symptoms, which are quite similar not only to PD, but also to other neurological disorders.
Focal dystonias are the most common types of dystonia. Cervical dystonia affects the neck muscles, while blepharospasm affects the muscles around the eyes. When the muscles of the jaw and tongue are affected, it is known as oromandibular dystonia. The voice can be affected, causing a “crackling” sound, known as spasmodic hoarseness.
When a patient suffers from both blepharospasmodic contractions and oromandibular dystonia, it is called cranial dystonia, also known as Meige syndrome.
Many drug treatments have been successful in controlling symptoms, but recent treatments using botox have proven extremely successful for 3-6 months when injected into the affected areas. Many PD treatments are used to treat dystonia and show great promise in helping the patient cope with the disease, including deep brain stimulation.
While some cases can get worse over time, some can be almost mild in the degree of symptoms and their effects on the body. What may seem like a strange treatment may actually be one of the most welcome and useful… a big hug.
Temple Grandin proven to be scientific and manufactured by Therafin Corp., The Squeeze Machine gives the same result, but at a much higher cost. However, it has been shown that when locked in a strong ‘bear hug’, the tension and tightening of the contracted muscles are often released when they are squeezed hard.
There are not many diseases (if any) that respond to such treatment. The next time you’re struggling with the stiffness, spasms, and pain associated with PD or dystonia, ask a loved one to give you a big bear hug and cuddle with you for a few minutes. You will feel better not only physically but also in all other aspects. They too. There is healing in a hug for everyone involved.