How To Treat Dystonia

Yoga

Some forms of yoga can be helpful to individuals living with dystonia. Yoga is a type of meditation and exercise blend that focuses on flexibility, strength, and balance. It is beneficial for an individual to increase the flexibility of the muscles being affected by abnormal contractions because it helps manage pain and promotes muscle relaxation. Muscles may also become shortened due to tension caused by dystonia. Yoga can help loosen and lengthen the affected muscles so the individual can regain a healthy posture. The muscle movements that occur in dystonia can cause a patient's body to become off-centered. Yoga helps with strengthening the muscles responsible for supporting an individuals alignment of lateral and upright posture. Yoga also helps dystonia patients regain their balance if they have lost it as a result of their condition. Yoga also guides an individual through meditation, which can be helpful to those frequently stressed because of their dystonia.