The muscle contractions involved in cervical dystonia can cause your head to twist in a variety of directions, including: 
Chin toward shoulder
Ear toward shoulder
Chin straight up
Chin straight down
 The most common type of twisting associated with cervical dystonia is when your chin is pulled toward your shoulder. Some people experience a combination of abnormal head postures. A jerking motion of the head also may occur. Many people who have cervical dystonia also experience neck pain that can radiate into the shoulders. The disorder can also cause headaches. In some people, the pain from cervical dystonia can be exhausting and disabling. Causes In most people with cervical dystonia, the cause is unknown. Some people who have cervical dystonia have a family history of the disorder. Researchers have found gene mutations associated with cervical dystonia. Cervical dystonia is also sometimes linked to head, neck or shoulder injuries. Risk factors Risk factors for cervical dystonia include: 
Age. While the disorder can occur in people of any age, it most commonly begins after age 30.
Your sex. Women are more likely to develop cervical dystonia than are men.
Family history. If a close family member has cervical dystonia or some other type of dystonia, you are at higher risk of developing the disorder.
 Complications In some cases, the involuntary muscle contractions associated with cervical dystonia can spread to nearby areas of your body. The most common locations include the face, jaw, arms and trunk. People who have cervical dystonia may also develop bone spurs that may reduce the amount of space in the spinal canal. This can cause tingling, numbness and weakness in the arms, hands, legs or feet.  

  




 


 
 By Mayo Clinic Staff By Mayo Clinic Staff Request an appointment Request an appointment   Diagnosis & treatment Diagnosis & treatment Diagnosis & treatment 
    Sept. 03, 2021
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Dystonias fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Dystonias-Fact-Sheet. Accessed July 23, 2019.
Frontera WR, et al., eds. Cervical dystonia. In: Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Musculoskeletal Disorders, Pain, and Rehabilitation. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2019. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed July 23, 2019.
Comella C. Classification and evaluation of dystonia. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed July 23, 2019.
AskMayoExpert. Cervical dystonia (spasmodic torticollis). Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2019.
Comella C. Treatment of dystonia. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed July 23, 2019.
Botulinum toxins. Facts & Comparisons eAnswers. https://www.wolterskluwercdi.com/facts-comparisons-online/. Accessed July 25, 2019.
 Show references 
Dystonias fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Dystonias-Fact-Sheet. Accessed July 23, 2019.
Frontera WR, et al., eds. Cervical dystonia. In: Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Musculoskeletal Disorders, Pain, and Rehabilitation. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2019. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed July 23, 2019.
Comella C. Classification and evaluation of dystonia. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed July 23, 2019.
AskMayoExpert. Cervical dystonia (spasmodic torticollis). Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2019.
Comella C. Treatment of dystonia. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed July 23, 2019.
Botulinum toxins. Facts & Comparisons eAnswers. https://www.wolterskluwercdi.com/facts-comparisons-online/. Accessed July 25, 2019.
 
Dystonias fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Dystonias-Fact-Sheet. Accessed July 23, 2019.
Frontera WR, et al., eds. Cervical dystonia. In: Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Musculoskeletal Disorders, Pain, and Rehabilitation. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2019. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed July 23, 2019.
Comella C. Classification and evaluation of dystonia. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed July 23, 2019.
AskMayoExpert. Cervical dystonia (spasmodic torticollis). Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2019.
Comella C. Treatment of dystonia. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed July 23, 2019.
Botulinum toxins. Facts & Comparisons eAnswers. https://www.wolterskluwercdi.com/facts-comparisons-online/. Accessed July 25, 2019.
 Dystonias fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Dystonias-Fact-Sheet. Accessed July 23, 2019. Frontera WR, et al., eds. Cervical dystonia. In: Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Musculoskeletal Disorders, Pain, and Rehabilitation. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2019. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed July 23, 2019. Comella C. Classification and evaluation of dystonia. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed July 23, 2019. AskMayoExpert. Cervical dystonia (spasmodic torticollis). Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2019. Comella C. Treatment of dystonia. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed July 23, 2019. Botulinum toxins. Facts & Comparisons eAnswers. https://www.wolterskluwercdi.com/facts-comparisons-online/. Accessed July 25, 2019. 
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