CERVICAL DYSTONIA

You or a loved one may have been diagnosed with Cervical Dystonia recently or some time ago. Cervical dystonia is the third most common movement disorder, and as every individual’s presentation is different, we tailor our rehabilitation programs to your specific needs and goals.

Cervical Dystonia (CD) is a neurological movement disorder that causes involuntary contractions of the neck muscles, leading to abnormal head position, pain, and difficulty with everyday tasks such as sitting, walking and driving. Because CD is driven by changes in how the brain controls movement, not just muscle tightness, it requires a specialist approach to treatment that general therapy alone cannot achieve.

At ARC, we provide specialist neurological physiotherapy, working alongside medical management (for example, botulinum toxin) to optimise your outcomes. We focus on:

Reducing pain and improving comfort
Retraining movement control and posture
Improving day-to-day function and independence
Building long-term self-management skills

Rehabilitation programs can include:

Movement retraining and motor control to reduce abnormal muscle activation and improve more efficient head and neck movement
Sensory retraining techniques to improve alignment and control
Postural correction for everyday activities like sitting, walking and driving
Task-specific practice focused on your real-life goals
Pain management strategies
Targeted strengthening and endurance training of underactive muscles
Relaxation techniques to reduce overactivity and muscle tension
Education and self-management strategies to support long-term management of symptoms

What you should know

Physiotherapy doesn’t cure dystonia, but it can significantly improve comfort, control and daily function. Treatment is highly individualised, as no two people present the same, so therapy is tailored to your specific movement patterns and goals. Specialist care matters, as seeing a neuro physio ensures your treatment is targeted and evidence-informed. It works best as part of a team, and combining physiotherapy with medical management (such as Botox) leads to optimal outcomes.

Your treatment typically takes place in our Sydney clinics, in your home, or a combination of both, depending on your personal circumstances.

Further Resources

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Mon – Thurs	8 – 7pm
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Sat	8 – 4pm

+61 (02) 9906 7777

Melissa Harrison

Cultural and Professional Development Manager & Neurological Physiotherapist

BSc (hons) Physiotherapy, University of the West of England, UK
Msc Neurorehabilitation, Brunel University, UK

Melissa has worked in the field of neuro physiotherapy since early in her career. She specialised as a senior neuro physiotherapist in the UK for a number of years - working across a variety of specialities including neurosurgery, neuro medicine, stroke and both inpatient and outpatient neuro rehab. This experience has given Melissa a solid understanding of the journey people go through from receiving their initial neurological diagnosis, through to much later stages of their rehab.

Melissa went on to complete a Masters in Neurorehabilitation in London, gaining valuable analytical and research experience and completing her own research project exploring the rehabilitation services available to people with brain tumours. Melissa has a special interest in neuro-oncology, as well as stroke and a wide range of post neurosurgery and neuro medical conditions. This experience led to her being invited to review and contribute to the Cancer Council's 'Understanding Brain Tumours' information booklet in Australia in 2019.

It is her time working as a physiotherapist at ARC that motivated Melissa further to remain living in Australia! Over her time working at ARC, Melissa has become a PD Warrior certified instructor and trainer - delivering practical courses to other allied health professionals across Australia.

She loves her job for continuing to develop the ARC team as it grows. Melissa enjoys supporting the team through change and growth, ensuring the highest quality of therapy is maintained, as well as the team culture that staff and clients thrive from at ARC. Melissa can be contacted at ARC Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and welcomes feedback on the service clients are receiving.

Outside of work, Melissa enjoys ocean swimming, tending to her rapidly growing plant family and making the most of the abundance of beautiful walks Sydney has to offer!

Lisa Meng

Hurstville Deputy Exercise Physiology Team Leader and ESSA Accredited Neurological Exercise Physiologist

Bachelor of Exercise Physiology, University of New South Wales

Lisa completed a Bachelor of Exercise Physiology at the University of New South Wales. Lisa started at ARC in 2018 and is passionate about assisting individuals in building a healthy life long relationship with exercise, no matter the impact of their disability. She believes that movement and exercise is a privilege that should be and can be enjoyed by all.

She has been involved in a number of Stand Walk Run intensives, an ARC driven program that involves the Multidisciplinary team to apply the principles of neuroplasticity to a client's program. Through this experience, she has been part of many client journey's that have seen clients with neurological impairments return back to sport, running, work and travels.

Lisa is the co-chair for the Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) special interest group. She has extensive experience working with FND clients and assisting them with understanding their condition, offering creative and sustainable management strategies and helping them re-integrate into physical activity.

Lisa is a cheerleader for her clients, not only in a therapy setting but for all further pursuits that aid in them living a fuller and more meaningful life. She has played a key role in supporting a Parksinson's client, Dean Laws, in completing two marathons and promoting the work of the Dean Team, which aims to improve the lives of all those living with Parkinson's.

Lisa has delivered an evening lecture to health professionals about the Role of Exercise Physiologists in Cardiometabolic risk factor management for the neurological population. Lisa is invested in assessing Neurological clients thoroughly, understanding the various risk factors and secondary health conditions that are related to Neurological conditions. She uses her treatment approach and education components to ensure clients understand their condition and empower them to follow a trajectory that leads them to improved overall health.

Lisa works full-time in our Hurstville clinic. She loves her time on the gym floor getting the most out of her clients, but also supervising the EPs on her team as she believes ARC is one of the best environments for a Neuro EP to thrive.