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Specialist Support for People With Dystonia

Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder that affects how the brain and nervous system control movement. It causes involuntary muscle contractions that can result in spasms, twisting or repetitive movements, abnormal postures and tremor. Some people also experience muscle stiffness, fatigue, pain or difficulty completing particular movements.

Dystonia can affect one area of the body or several areas. Cervical dystonia affects the muscles of the neck and can cause the head to turn, tilt or pull in a particular direction. Other forms may affect the arms, legs, eyes, jaw, voice or wider areas of the body.

Everyone experiences dystonia differently. MOTIONrehab provides personalised dystonia rehabilitation based on how the condition affects your movement, everyday activities and independence. Our specialist neurological physiotherapists work with you to understand your difficulties and develop a programme around the goals that matter to you.

How MOTIONrehab Can Help With Dystonia

Physiotherapy for Dystonia focuses on the physical and functional difficulties caused by the condition. Although rehabilitation cannot cure dystonia, it may help you improve or maintain movement, posture, balance, mobility and confidence.

Your neurological physiotherapist will assess how dystonia affects your muscle flexibility, joint movement, strength, coordination and movement patterns. Treatment may address practical activities such as sitting, standing, walking, using your hands and arms or moving around safely at home and in the community.

Physiotherapy may also help you develop strategies for managing stiffness, pain and discomfort. Where appropriate, we can work with family members and carers so that they understand how best to support your movement and everyday activities.

Your rehabilitation goals will depend on the type of dystonia, the areas affected and what you want to achieve. Physiotherapy supports the functional effects of dystonia and can work alongside medical care from your neurologist or movement-disorder specialist.

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Our Innovative Evidence-Based Approach to Dystonia Rehabilitation

MOTIONrehab focuses on practical improvements that can make a meaningful difference to everyday life. Your goals might include sitting or standing more comfortably, improving your balance, walking more safely, using your hands more effectively, returning to work or taking part in hobbies, sport and family activities.

Our approach to dystonia combines specialist neurological assessment, hands-on treatment and personalised movement practice with innovative rehabilitation technology. Where clinically appropriate, robotics, virtual reality, functional electrical stimulation and other advanced technologies may be incorporated into your programme.

Technology is always used as part of a wider rehabilitation programme rather than as a replacement for specialist physiotherapy.

Your treatment will be adapted around your involuntary movements, pain, fatigue, movement triggers, current abilities and personal goals.

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MOTIONrehab Can Help With

  • Involuntary movements
  • Muscle spasms and stiffness
  • Abnormal postures
  • Neck and head control
  • Pain and discomfort
  • Reduced joint movement
  • Balance problems
  • Walking difficulties
  • Coordination problems
  • Hand and arm function
  • Sitting and standing
  • Fatigue
  • Everyday activities
  • Confidence and independence
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Client Stories

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Our Approach

Our approach to neurological rehabilitation is recommended by leading authorities including National Clinic Guidelines, NICE and Cochrane. We are the trusted choice for neurological rehabilitation. At MOTIONrehab, we provide a personalised, evidence-based approach to rehabilitation, empowering you on your journey to recovery. Combining expert hands-on physio with innovative robotic and advanced rehabilitation technology that provides the high repetition that is essential for the optimisation of outcomes. We can improve mobility, hand and arm function and accelerate recovery, and restore quality of life.

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Your Tailored Therapy Plan

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PIONEERS IN THE FIELD

UK’s first Intensive Robotic Neurological Rehabilitation Centre

In April 2018, MOTIONrehab launched the UK’s first Intensive Robotic Neurological Rehabilitation Centre. The centre in Leeds went on to be recognised by the Financial Times, Google and leading European policy makers as one of the Top 100 companies for digital innovation in the rehabilitation sector.

Following the success of MOTIONrehab’s Intensive Robotic Neurological Rehabilitation Centre in Leeds and after seeing such positive outcomes for its clients MOTIONrehab launched a second Intensive Robotic Neurological Rehabilitation Centre in Hull during December 2020 and a third in March 2024. MOTIONrehab’s Intensive Neurological Rehabilitation Centres accepts national and international referrals and are International Reference Centres for treatment, teaching and research.

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Find clear answers to common questions about dystonia rehabilitation, physiotherapy, exercises and how MOTIONrehab may be able to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder that causes involuntary muscle contractions. These contractions can lead to repetitive or twisting movements, muscle spasms, tremor and abnormal postures.

It occurs when the brain and nervous system send altered signals controlling movement. Symptoms may affect one body area or several areas and can vary considerably between individuals.

Symptoms of dystonia may include involuntary muscle contractions, spasms, twisting movements, abnormal posture, tremor, muscle stiffness and pain. Some people also experience difficulty starting, controlling or completing particular movements.

The symptoms depend on the type of dystonia and the body area affected. They may interfere with walking, sitting, standing, using the hands, speaking or other everyday activities.

Dystonia is classified according to the body areas it affects. Focal dystonia affects one area, while segmental dystonia affects neighbouring areas. Multifocal dystonia affects separate areas, and generalised dystonia affects wider parts of the body.

Dystonia is associated with changes in how the brain controls and coordinates movement. It can sometimes be inherited or occur alongside another neurological condition.

In other cases, it may develop following an injury, infection or exposure to certain medicines. For many people, no single cause is identified. A doctor or neurologist should investigate the symptoms and determine the diagnosis.

Dystonia treatment depends on the type, affected body area and severity of the symptoms. In the UK, medical treatment may include medication, botulinum toxin injections or deep brain stimulation for carefully selected people.

Physiotherapy, occupational therapy and wider multidisciplinary support can help address movement, posture and everyday function. MOTIONrehab provides physiotherapy rather than medical diagnosis, medication, injections or surgery.

Cervical dystonia is a focal dystonia affecting the neck muscles. Involuntary contractions can cause the head to turn, tilt or pull forwards, backwards or sideways. It may also cause neck pain, stiffness or tremor.

Cervical dystonia is sometimes called spasmodic torticollis. The direction and severity of the movement vary, so assessment and treatment must be personalised.

Treatment for cervical dystonia commonly combines specialist medical care with rehabilitation. A neurologist may recommend botulinum toxin injections or medication to manage involuntary muscle contractions and related symptoms.

Physiotherapy for Cervical dystonia may complement medical treatment by addressing posture, neck movement, functional activities, discomfort and movement strategies. The most appropriate combination depends on the individual’s symptoms and clinical assessment.

Yes, specialist neurological physiotherapy may help people with dystonia work on posture, flexibility, movement control, balance, walking and functional ability. It may also provide strategies for managing stiffness, discomfort and difficult movements.

The purpose of physiotherapy for dystonia is to support function and independence. It does not cure the condition, and the likely benefits will differ between individuals.

Physiotherapy may be used alongside botulinum toxin injections where this is recommended by the person’s clinical team. Rehabilitation can focus on movement, posture and functional goals while the medical treatment addresses overactive muscles.

The timing and content of physiotherapy should be agreed with the relevant medical and rehabilitation professionals. MOTIONrehab does not provide botulinum toxin injections.

Carefully selected exercise may support movement, posture, flexibility, balance and general physical function for some people with dystonia. Exercises must be adapted around the type of dystonia, movement triggers, pain, fatigue, ability and safety.

Rehabilitation may still help someone who has lived with dystonia for a long time, but an assessment is needed to identify realistic goals. Treatment may focus on maintaining function, developing movement strategies and supporting participation in everyday activities.

The likely outcomes depend on the type of dystonia, symptoms, previous treatment, general health and individual circumstances.

Your first appointment includes a discussion about your medical and treatment history, current symptoms, affected body areas and personal goals. Tell your therapist about relevant medication or botulinum toxin treatment.

Your neurological physiotherapist may assess posture, movement, strength, joint mobility, balance, walking and functional activities. The findings will be discussed with you before suitable rehabilitation options and goals are agreed.

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Our Clinics

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Leeds

The Clinic at Morley is equipped with a full suite of robotic and advanced rehabilitation technology and ten spacious clinic rooms. Fully accessible with ground floor toileting facilities and free parking.
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Doncaster
Brand NEW!

The clinic at Doncaster is equipped with a full robotics and advanced rehabilitation technology. Fully accessible with ground floor toilet facilities and treatment rooms.
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Hull

Located at Warners Health Club with a large robotic and advanced rehabilitation technology suite, a gym and private patient treatment rooms. Level access to the building with designated parking spaces and disabled access toilet.
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York
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Located in Foxoak Park. The clinic is fully accessible with ground floor treatment rooms, refreshment facilities, free parking and more.
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See How We Can Help

For more information about how MOTIONrehab can help with Dystonia Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy, please feel free to get in touch with us by giving us a call, or alternatively fill out the form here and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

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