Acupuncture Treatment for Dystonia

*Makiko Tani and Toshiaki Suzuki*

### **Abstract**

This article introduces acupuncture for dystonia, especially cervical dystonia and upper limb dystonia. In our acupuncture treatment, the meridians corresponding to the affected muscles are identified, and stimulation of the acupuncture points located on the meridians away from the affected muscles is used. Affected muscles may have problems of hypotonia as well as hypertonia. We will introduce a method of suppressing muscle tone using acupuncture points and a method of promoting muscle tone. Furthermore, since shortening of muscles and skin may affect posture abnormalities and movement abnormalities, we will also introduce the treatment. This article presents a case for our therapeutic effect.

**Keywords:** cervical dystonia, upper extremity dystonia, acupuncture treatment, acupuncture points, electromyography

### **1. Introduction**

Dystonia is defined as "a syndrome of sustained muscle contractions, frequently causing twisting and repetitive movements, or abnormal postures" and is considered a syndrome of dyskinesia rather than a disease. It can be classified as generalized, segmental, or focal, depending on the affected region. Cervical dystonia and upper extremity dystonia, which are discussed in this paper, are localized dystonia. Focal dystonia is reported to occur in 3 to 38 per 100,000 population [1]. The cause is often unknown, but hereditary dystonia involving genetic abnormalities has been identified. It has been hypothesized that focal dystonia may be triggered by frequent use of the neck or upper extremities, but it is not known if such activity is an obvious cause.

The current first choice for medical treatment is botulinum therapy. Other non-surgical treatments include transcranial magnetic stimulation, biofeedback, and psychotherapy. In addition, oral medications such as anticholinergics are used as adjuncts. When these non-surgical treatments are not effective, surgery may be performed. Surgical procedures include deep brain stimulation (DBS), selective thalamotomy, and parasympathetic decompression surgery.

Acupuncture may be useful as a non-surgical treatment for dystonia, but there have been only a few scattered reports of acupuncture for dystonia.

The authors have been treating dystonia with acupuncture since 1995. Currently, botulinum therapy is considered the first-line treatment for dystonia. Other

standard treatments include DBS, stereotactic brain surgery, and oral medication. Acupuncture, on the other hand, is not often considered an option. We have used acupuncture to treat patients whose symptoms have not improved after botulinum toxin therapy and oral medications. In this paper, we introduce the method of acupuncture treatment and our thoughts on the treatment [2–4].
