Treatment May Include Supportive Therapies
Complementary therapy care can be a very important component of a personalized treatment plan.
DMRF Canada encourages individuals with dystonia to consult a movement disorder specialist, and to consult their doctors about all non-traditional therapies they are curious about including supplements, devices, and techniques.
Speak with your doctors, support group leaders, and other people with dystonia to help discover complementary therapy options that may be an option for you. Explore the following possibilities:
- Relaxation techniques
- Body-mind techniques such as yoga, mindfulness meditation, the Feldenkrais Method
- Gentle and controlled physical exercise including Pilates and soft martial arts such as Qi Gong
- A personalized exercise program created in partnership with a qualified physical therapist
- Biofeedback
- Acupuncture for pain relief
Complementary therapy may play an active role in your treatment of dystonia, and it is intended to be used in conjunction with traditional therapies. To avoid any interactions and potential problems, it is important to have open communication among all physicians and practitioners who are working with you.
It is very important that any practitioners of complementary therapies who you consult are familiar with dystonia or willing to learn about it prior to treating you. DMRF Canada can provide materials to help you educate your healthcare professionals.
Resources
Presentation by Catherine Chan, MPT - Managing Dystonia through Exercise and Physiotherapy
Videos, courtesy of DMRF (USA):
- Role of Complementary & Integrative Therapies in Dystonia Treatment
- Physical Licensed Occupational Therapist and Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner Richard Sabel provides a fascinating overview of the role of OT, PT, and additional integrative therapies for dystonia.
- Dystonia and Physical Therapy - Mary Hudson-McKinney, PT, MS, DPT, NCS, Western University of Health Sciences.
Thank you to Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (USA) for allowing us to share this information. The DMRF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to advancing research for improved dystonia treatments and ultimately a cure, promoting awareness, and supporting the well-being of affected individuals and families.