Stretching and Strengthening

A physical therapist or physician is likely to demonstrate and prescribe exercises to stretch muscles and increase flexibility. Various types of strengthening exercises may be recommended to build up underused muscles and prevent weakening of the bones.

A physician or therapist may use certain equipment to activate the muscles. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) may stimulate and strengthen the antagonist muscles (which oppose the dystonia spasm) while the overly active agonist muscles (which cause the dystonia spasm) are relaxed with botulinum toxin. Biofeedback involves using surface electrodes to identify and relax overly active muscles and to increase control and activation of the passive muscles.

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