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Imagine your body suddenly twisting or jerking uncontrollably despite your best efforts to stay still. This is what happens with people with dystonia, a neurological disorder that causes uncontrollable muscle contractions. These contractions can lead to painful, abnormal movements and postures, affecting any part of the body.
While there is no definitive cause of dystonia, it may be linked to genetics, brain injuries, or other health conditions.
ANF Therapy®️ is the newest treatment for dystonia. It uses wearable ANF Devices that help improve muscle strength and tone by activating the body’s natural healing ability. This approach aims to enhance neurological function, relieve dystonia symptoms, and support overall well-being.
What is dystonia?
Dystonia is classified as a hyperkinetic movement disorder. It causes involuntary contraction of muscles that leads to painful, abnormal bending or twisting of your body.
The term “dystonia” is derived from the Latin prefix “dys—,” meaning “abnormal” or “difficult,” and the Greek word “-tonos,” which means “tension” or “tone.” Together, these words refer to abnormal muscle tension.
Sometimes, these abnormal movements may be localised to a specific area of the body or can affect multiple regions.
How many people are affected with dystonia?
According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, dystonia is the third most common movement disease that affects approximately 250,000 people in the U.S. It can occur at any age and can affect anyone.
What are the types of dystonia?
Dystonia affects various parts of the body. Based on the affected area, here are some common types of dystonia:
1. Focal Dystonia
It’s the most common type of dystonia that affects just one specific part of the body. Depending on where it occurs, it can take various forms:
- Eye dystonia (Blepharospasm): This causes uncontrollable blinking or eyelid closure.
- Voice dystonia (Spasmodic dysphonia): This leads to strained or broken speech.
- Hand dystonia (Writer’s cramp/Musician’s cramp): This affects the hand or wrist, making tasks like writing difficult.
- Mouth, tongue, and jaw dystonia (Oromandibular dystonia): This causes spasms in the mouth, tongue, or jaw, affecting speech and chewing.
2. Segmental Dystonia
When dystonia affects two or more adjacent areas of the body, it is known as segmental dystonia. Examples of this type of dystonia include:
- Cervical dystonia: Affects the neck along with muscles in the arm or face.
- Meige syndrome: Combination of eye dystonia and oromandibular dystonia
3. Multifocal Dystonia
This type affects two or more unrelated areas of the body. For example, a person might experience dystonia in both hands or a leg and an arm, but these areas aren’t directly connected.
4. Hemidystonia Dystonia
The term “hemi” means “half,” indicating that hemidystonia affects one side of the body. It often affects both the arm and leg on one side of the body. This form is commonly caused by stroke or other types of brain injury. It is also known as unilateral dystonia.
5. Generalised Dystonia
This type of dystonia affects most or all of the body. It is ten times less common than focal dystonia. Some examples of generalised dystonia are:
- Whole body dystonia (DYT1 dystonia): Genetic form that usually starts in childhood and spreads to different parts of the body over time
- Dopa-responsive dystonia (DRD): This causes movement problems, like stiffness and tremors
- Myoclonus dystonia: This causes quick, jerky movements (myoclonus)
What are the causes of dystonia?
The exact cause of dystonia is still unclear, but it is thought to result from disruptions in the basal ganglia, a part of the brain that coordinates muscle movement.
Based on its causes, there are three categories of dystonia:
Primary dystonia
Primary dystonia can be genetic or idiopathic. Idiopathic means the cause is unknown. However, genetics may still contribute. For instance, DYT1 dystonia is linked to mutations in the TOR1A gene.
Secondary dystonia
Secondary dystonia can develop due to various factors, including:
- Neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, Parkinsonism, or epilepsy
- Brain tumours or traumatic brain injury
- Cerebral hypoxia, particularly in newborns, due to a lack of oxygen
- Both prescription and recreational drugs
- Infections, such as encephalitis (brain inflammation)
- Genetic disorders like Wilson’s disease and Huntington’s disease
- Exposure to toxins, including carbon monoxide and manganese
- Metabolic disorders
- Stroke
Dystonia plus
This category refers to neurological conditions where dystonia is a prominent symptom, but other symptoms are also present. These conditions may involve multiple neurological problems, with dystonia being just one of them.
Treatment of dystonia with ANF Therapy®️:
Your ANF Therapist diagnoses this condition by taking history and doing physical and neurological examinations.
History:
During history, they will ask about the following:
- What are your active complaints?
- What is the duration of symptoms?
- Which part of your body is involved?
- Are there any trigger factors?
- Family history
- Medical history
- Do these symptoms affect your daily life routine?
Physical examination:
During physical examination, your ANF Therapist will observe your posture and movements while walking, sitting or standing. After observation, they will check on your muscle tone, which is increased in the affected areas of your body. They will also examine your joints to check if the range of motion is affected.
Neurological examination:
Neurological examination is critical in dystonia. In this examination, your ANF Therapist will examine:
- Cranial nerve to check for any abnormal facial movements
- Muscle strength testing
- The tone of your muscles
- Sensory examination
- Reflexes
- Tremors
Application of ANF Devices:
After the examination, your ANF Therapist will create a treatment plan based on your disease severity and progression. ANF Therapy®️ aims to treat dystonia using small wearable frequency-emitting devices to optimise neurological and biochemical functions.
Your ANF Therapists apply ANF Devices to the affected areas of your body. Dystonia results in abnormal neurological frequencies, due to which your nerve pathway becomes overactive and biochemical functions. These ANF Devices aim to optimise neurological frequencies, strengthen your body’s neurological frequencies, muscle strength and tone and improve biochemical function, thus reducing inflammation and alleviating the symptoms.
Expected outcome:
Most patients feel immediate relief soon after the application of ANF Devices. However, this response varies from person to person, depending on the severity of the disease.
Follow-up:
Your ANF Therapists will conduct regular follow-ups to monitor progress, adjust treatment plans, and provide guidance on changing ANF Devices every 72 hours for optimal results. The treatment may take 2-6 months.
Start your journey with ANF Therapy®️:
FAQs:
Is dystonia life-threatening?
Dystonia itself is not life-threatening. However, severe cases of generalised dystonia can affect many parts of your body and cause problems secondary to dystonia. These complications can be life-threatening.
Can stress cause dystonia?
Yes, stress can interfere with dystonia in various ways. It can cause psychogenic dystonia or aggravate the existing dystonia.
Is dystonia reversible?
You can not cure dystonia once it has developed. However, you can manage its progression with the help of ANF Therapy®️. This therapy works on the principles of frequency medicine to activate the body’s natural healing process.
Is dystonia a Parkinson’s disease?
No, dystonia is not a Parkinson’s disease. It can develop solely or can be associated with Parkinson’s disease.
What is the newest treatment for dystonia?
ANF Therapy®️ is the newest and most effective treatment for dystonia. It uses frequency-emitting ANF Devices to regulate neural oscillations and promote natural healing.
About ANF Therapy®️
ANF Therapy®️ uses circular ANF Devices, which are applied directly on the skin after palpation and assessment by a trained ANF Therapist following the ANF Therapy®️ Method, Patented Model no. U202030252, ES1259974.
The ANF Therapy®️ purpose is the alleviation of injury and pain within minutes.
Our aim is that the patient experiences a reduction of pain and swelling, an increase in range of motion, and an improvement in quality of life related to health. Non-transdermal, non-invasive device, NO needles or chemicals are used.
Do you need help with your health issues? Have you been experiencing symptoms of Dystonia?
Contact us, and we will explain how we can help you!
