Efficacy of Ayurvedic Treatment in Managing Cervical Dystonia: A Case Report

Cervical dystonia (also known as spasmodic torticollis) is a neurological condition that causes involuntary muscle contractions in the neck, leading to abnormal jerky head movements with spasms. These contractions can cause the head to tilt to one side (laterocollis), rotate (rotational torticollis), or move forward (anterocollis) or backward (retrocollis). The condition can be painful and may interfere with everyday activities. Prakupita Vata (aggravated Vata) causes Vata Vyadhi (diseases of vitiated Vata) and treatments such as Snehana (oleation therapy), Swedana (sudation therapy), and Shodhana (internal detoxification) are advised. This case report presents a 62-year-old male with cervical dystonia/ spasmodic torticollis with complaints of progressive neck pain, involuntary movements predominantly in the right shoulder, shoulder and neck spasms, tremors, and abnormal postures of head. Following an Ayurvedic approach the patient experienced significant improvement within two months, with substantial symptom relief by the fourth month. Shodhana Virechan (internal detoxification) in combination with external Panchakarma procedures such as Nasya Karma, Shirodhara, Greeva Basti, Greeva Pichu with Agni Karma and internal medicines including Rasayana (rejuvenation), were administered. Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale (TWSTRS) was assessed for the outcome of the treatment. The patient showed good improvement in pain, stiffness, tremors, and neck retention time. TWSTRS score reduced from 68.5 to 15 and is presented here as a case study.