Homeopathic Remedies for Cranio-Facial Dystonia

Dystonia is a movement disorder in which muscle contractions/spasm appear involuntarily leading to slow and repetitive movements or abnormal postures. It can affect any part of the body. Homeopathic remedies for Cranio-Facial dystonia work towards reducing the intensity as well as frequency of the signs and symptoms in such cases.

  

Facial dystonia can affect just one muscle, a group of muscles or muscles of the whole body. Sometimes the movement may cause pain. In some cases tremors may accompany dystonia. In dystonia the brain’s way of processing movements is disturbed leading to extra movement or extra force (muscle contraction).
When dystonia affects the muscles of the head, face and neck areas then it is referred to as cranio – facial dystonia. The intensity to muscle contractions can vary from mild to severe in it.

Homeopathic Remedies for Cranio-Facial Dystonia

Homeopathy holds a great promise in managing cases of cranio – facial dystonia.  These medicines act as a muscle relaxant and hence reduce the muscle spasms / contractions and manage its signs and symptoms. Homeopathic medicines are selected based on the signs and symptoms presented in each individual case.

1. Zincum Met – Top listed medicine

Zincum Met is a leading nervous-constitution medicine that is indicated to treat a number of dystonia including cranio-facial dystonia. It works magnificently to control muscle twitchings. Here it is well indicated for treating spasms and twitching in muscles of the face. The twitchings are quite strong and noticeable. Next it is suitable to treat twitching in the upper lip. It is also prominently indicated to treat twitching of eyelids. With eyelid twitching photophobia i.e. sensitivity to bright light may be present in cases needing it.

2. Agaricus – Another Prominent Medicine

Agaricus is the next significant medicine for cranio – facial dystonia. Its use is considered for twitching in facial muscles located specifically in the right cheek. Its second indication is spasm in the mouth causing clenching of jaw. Other than it is an excellent medicine to treat twitching of eyelids and spasmodic closure of eyelids. Lastly twitching in lips and tongue can be treated wonderfully with it.

3. Cicuta – For Severe Facial Twitches

This medicine is prepared from the fresh root of plant Cicuta Virosa commonly known as water Hemlock. It belongs to family Umbelliferae. 

It is very beneficial for treating twitching in facial muscles that are of severe intensity. The twitchings can be severe enough to make the face appear distorted. Another guiding feature to use it is difficulty in speaking from lack of control on muscles of mouth and tongue. It is also useful when there is tight pressing of jaws together from muscle spasm.

4. Belladonna – For Twitches in Facial Muscle, Eyelids

Belladonna is a natural medicine prepared from a plant known as deadly nightshade that belongs to family Solanaceae. Belladonna is a wonderful medicine for twitches of muscles of face and eyelids. Persons needing it have continual eyelid twitching and trembling. They are also troubled by twitching in the muscles of the face and jaw. They may face difficulties in speech. They may have tight closing of jaw, clenching of teeth or have lower jaw drawn backward. In addition to this they may have facial spasms causing grinning (smiling broadly) movement of mouth. They may have red, hot flushed faces with these symptoms. Lastly they may suffer from twitching, trembling of tongue.   

5. Stramonium – When Mouth is Drawn to One Side

It is another medicine of plant origin prepared from thorn – apple. It also belongs to family solanaceae. Stramonium is mainly used when the mouth is drawn to one side from muscle spasm. It is also used when the mouth is closed from muscle spasm. Apart from this it is helpful when there is chewing motion of mouth from twitches. Hanging down of lower jaw from spasms is another indication to use it. Lastly a characteristic feature to use is distortion of the left side of face from contractions of facial muscle that causes cheeks and mouth to be drawn upward.

6. Mygale – For Constant Twitching of Facial Muscle

Mygale is an important medicine to manage cases where the twitching of facial muscles is almost constant. Facial twitches cause opening of the mouth and eyes in quick succession. There also appears difficulty in putting out tongue from mouth from facial twitches.

7. Opium – For Twitches Around the Mouth

Opium is significant medicine to treat twitches appearing around the mouth. The twitches are mostly located at the corners of the mouth and may cause distortions of mouth. Trembling / shaking of tongue may also appear. It also covers trembling, twitching and spasms of muscles of face. 

8. Gelsemium- For Contracted Muscles Causing Difficulty in Speaking

Gelsemium is prepared from bark of the root of plant Gelsemium Sempervirens commonly known as yellow jasmine. This  plant belongs to the family Loganiaceae. Gelsemium is a wonderful medicine when a person faces difficulty in speaking from contraction of facial muscles especially around the mouth. Jaw pain may also be felt. Sideways movement of the lower jaw from lack of control over it is another feature suggestive of its use.

9. Hyoscyamus – For Facial Twitches with Grimaces (ugly or contorted expressions)

Hyoscyamus is prepared from plant Hyoscyamus Niger commonly known as Henbane. The natural order of this plant is Solanaceae. It seems to help cases of facial twitches with grimaces (ugly or contorted expressions). with this there may be shaking of tongue in a to and fro movement. There is also a tendency to bite tongue when talking.

10. Tellurium – For Facial Twitches on Left Side

Tellurium mostly helps with twitchings on the left side of the face. Persons needing it mostly have drawing upwards of the left sided corner of mouth. This is noted mainly when talking.

11. Mezereum – For Twitchings on Right Side of Face

Mezereum is prepared from fresh bark of plant Daphne Mezereum having the common name spurge olive. This plant has natural order Thymelaeaceae. It works well in cases of twitchings on the right side of face. The twitchings are frequent and very troublesome. They are most marked in the cheek muscles on the right side. It is also helpful when there are continuous painful twitching in cheeks and eyelids.

12. Cubeba – When Mouth Twitches while Speaking or Smiling

Cubeba is indicated when there is one sided twitching of the mouth. The mouth twitches appear while speaking or smiling. At that time the mouth gets twisted to one side.

13. Kali Mur – For Facial Twitchings while Eating

Kali Mur is useful for cases in which facial twitchings appear while eating. The twitchings are located in the muscles of the lower jaw. An increased sensitivity of the whole face may attend the above features. Apart from above another feature indicating its use is twitchings in the corners of eyes.

14. Moschus – When Twitching Causes Chewing Motion of Lower Jaw

The key feature to use Moschus is facial twitchings causing chewing motion of lower jaw. With this a person feels tension in muscles of face with sensation as if they are too short.

15. Secale Cor – For Spasms and Twitching of Tongue

Secale Cor is beneficial for spasms and twitching of tongue. The person who requires it has movements of projecting of the tongue from mouth. It causes difficulty with speech. It can also lead sometimes to biting of the tongue.

More On Cranio-Facial Dystonia 

Cranio-facial dystonia can be further classified into –

1.Blepharospasm 

2.Hemifacial spasm

3.Oromandibular dystonia 

4.Meige syndrome

1. Blepharospasm – In this there appears abnormal involuntary blinking, twitching or tight closure of eyelids.

Reason

What exactly is not known yet. However genetics and heredity are also thought to play a role in causing it. Certain factors like bright light, alcohol intake, excessive caffeine , stress, fatigue can trigger eyelid twitching. It can be a sign included in certain eye conditions like uveitis, blepharitis, conjunctivitis, dry eyes, photophobia . Sometimes brain disorders can cause eye twitching, these disorders include parkinson’s disease, bell’s palsy, multiple sclerosis and tourette syndrome.

Symptoms

Its main symptoms are uncontrollable blinking, twitching of eyelids that may progress to eyelids being tightly shut. Dryness in the eyes, sensitivity to bright light, blurring of vision may appear with these symptoms. Sometimes the twitches may radiate to the nose, face and occasionally to the neck. 

2. Hemifacial spasm – It is characterised by involuntary twitching of muscles on one side of the face.

Reason

The facial muscles are controlled by a seventh cranial nerve called facial nerve. Hemifacial spasms mostly appear from irritation. compression, injury or damage to this facial nerve. Pressure on the facial nerve (at the point where it leaves the brain stem) by a blood vessel is the most important cause behind it. Rarely tumours putting pressure on the facial nerve can cause it. Bell’s palsy (facial paralysis that affects one side of the face) can also contribute to it. But in many cases no cause is identified behind it, this is referred to as idiopathic spasm. They are common in women as compared to men. Left side of the face is more commonly involved in it.

Symptoms

In this in the beginning there appear slight involuntary twitches in the eyelid on one side. As the time progresses, the twitches extend to other parts of the face including cheek, mouth, lips, chin, jaw and neck on the same side. Eventually it can spread to all the muscles on one side of the face. The muscles in the forehead and neck are most affected in the last. When muscles of the mouth area are affected then it can sometimes pull the mouth to one side. Sometimes the entire face can be pulled to one side when all the muscles of the face are involved. Initially the twitches are mild that even go unnoticed. With time the twitches become more pronounced and noticeable. The twitches can even continue in sleep.

As the condition intensifies, other symptoms like difficulty in hearing, noises in ear (tinnitus), pain in ear may appear with above. 

3. Oromandibular dystonia – In this there appear forceful muscle contractions in the face, mouth, jaw or tongue.

It may lead to difficulties with opening and closing the mouth. It also affects speech and chewing often. Sometimes it is also referred to as cranial dystonia. The dystonia affecting facial muscles and lips in musicians who play wind instruments is called embouchure dystonia. Dystonia affecting the tongue is called lingual dystonia. 

Reasons

Oromandibular dystonia can arise from some disorders like wilson disease (a genetic disorder causing excessive copper to build up in the body) and certain drug exposure. it can also be inherited usually with generalized dystonia. This dystonia is also more common in women as compared to men.  It mostly affects people of age group between 40 and 70 years of age.

Symptoms

The symptoms include involuntary opening and closing of mouth, clenching / tight pressing (shutting) of jaw, deviation of lower jaw toward one side or to the back, involuntary movements in the face, lips or tongue, uncontrollable pulling of tongue or mouth in different positions . This mostly arises when people are using their mouths like while talking or eating, making speech and swallowing difficult respectively but it can appear even at rest sometimes. Few other symptoms are facial grimacing, lip pursing or sucking and teeth grinding. Trauma to the lips and tongue may appear from uncontrollable, involuntary mouth closing and opening. Anxiety and tiredness tend to worsen the symptoms.

4. Meige syndrome – In this oromandibular dystonia appears in combination with blepharospasm.

It is also known as Brueghel Syndrome. In this the symptoms of both oromandibular dystonia as well as  blepharospasm occur together. The reason behind Meige syndrome is unknown. However it is thought to be caused by the interaction of certain genetic and environmental factors.

Pathophysiology behind dystonia

How dystonia exactly arises is not clearly understood till date. However it is believed that dystonia arises due to damage or improper functioning of the basal ganglia. It is the area of the brain responsible for beginning muscle contractions. Additionally there may be abnormalities in the brain’s way of processing information and generating commands to cause body movement.