There are several different classifications of dystonia, defined by the part or parts of the body the disorder affects. Types of dystonia include those that affect one area of the body (focal dystonia, including cervical), two or more nearby areas of the body (segmental dystonia), one half the body (hemidystonia), or the entire body (generalized dystonia).
Dystonia can also be defined by the etiology (cause):
Primary Dystonia is when dystonia is the solitary symptom, unassociated with other pathology. Primary dystonia is predominantly hereditary and is considered the most difficult form of dystonia to treat.
Secondary Dystonia is the result of another health condition such as stroke or multiple sclerosis, or the result of injury such as trauma to the brain or lack of oxygen at birth.
