Movement
Disorders
Specialist Physiotherapy for Movement Disorders
Movement disorders can affect the way muscles contract and how the face, head and neck move. They may cause involuntary movements, muscle spasms, altered posture, tightness or difficulties with everyday activities.
At Midlands Jaw Physiotherapy, I provide specialist assessment and treatment for selected conditions affecting facial movement and the head and neck.
Treatment is tailored to your diagnosis, symptoms and goals. Depending on your condition, this may involve specialist physiotherapy, movement retraining, practical self-management strategies and medical botulinum toxin where clinically appropriate.
My aim is to help you understand your symptoms, explore appropriate treatment options and improve your movement and function wherever possible.
Conditions We Treat
Different movement disorders affect the body in different ways. Understanding the condition and identifying the factors contributing to your symptoms are important steps towards appropriate management.
Facial Palsy and Synkinesis
Following facial nerve injury, some people develop unwanted linked facial movements known as synkinesis. For example, the eye may narrow when smiling, or the cheek and mouth may move involuntarily during other facial expressions.
Specialist facial rehabilitation focuses on improving movement control, reducing unnecessary muscle activity and helping you develop more coordinated facial movements.
For selected patients, medical botulinum toxin may also help reduce unwanted muscle activity as part of a wider treatment plan.
Specialist retraining is particularly important in synkinesis because generic or forceful facial exercises may reinforce unwanted movement patterns.
Hemifacial Spasm
Hemifacial spasm causes involuntary contractions of muscles on one side of the face. Symptoms may begin around the eye and can affect other facial muscles.
Medical botulinum toxin is commonly used to help control these involuntary contractions. Treatment requires appropriate clinical assessment and individualised planning.
Where relevant, I can help patients understand their symptoms and discuss how treatment fits into their wider care. The role of physiotherapy will depend on the individual presentation.
Cervical Dystonia
Cervical dystonia is a neurological condition involving involuntary contractions of the neck muscles. These contractions can cause abnormal head posture, twisting movements, discomfort and pain.
Management is individualised and may involve medical treatment, including botulinum toxin, alongside other approaches to support movement and function.
Physiotherapy may have a role in selected patients as part of their wider management plan, depending on their symptoms and treatment goals.
How Can Specialist Physiotherapy Help?
The role of physiotherapy varies according to the condition being treated. Following an appropriate assessment, treatment may include:
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Movement retraining to improve coordination and control.
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Specialist facial rehabilitation for appropriate facial palsy and synkinesis presentations.
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Strategies to improve awareness of unnecessary muscle activity.
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Exercises and movement strategies tailored to your symptoms and goals.
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Management of associated neck discomfort or movement difficulties.
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Education to help you understand your condition and manage symptoms.
Not every approach is appropriate for every condition. Your treatment plan will be based on your individual assessment and wider clinical needs.
Combining Medical Botulinum Toxin With Physiotherapy
Medical botulinum toxin temporarily reduces activity in targeted muscles and is used to manage several conditions involving excessive or unwanted muscle activity.
For selected patients, it may be helpful alongside specialist physiotherapy.
The injection and rehabilitation have different roles. Botulinum toxin can reduce unwanted muscle activity, while physiotherapy may help address movement control and functional difficulties where appropriate.
At Midlands Jaw Physiotherapy, I consider the individual condition, symptoms and goals when discussing treatment options. Botulinum toxin is not suitable for everyone, and physiotherapy is not necessary or beneficial in the same way for every movement disorder.
Specialist Care for Facial and Head and Neck Conditions
Harriette is a specialist physiotherapist with experience treating jaw disorders, facial palsy, hemifacial spasm and cervical dystonia.
She has completed Master's-level training in medical botulinum toxin administration and is an Independent Prescriber.
At Midlands Jaw Physiotherapy, treatment is tailored to the individual rather than following a standard protocol. Where appropriate, physiotherapy and medical botulinum toxin can form part of a wider management plan.
The aim is to help you understand your condition, identify appropriate treatment options and work towards meaningful improvements in function.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Pages
Explore our other specialist resources:
Let's Work Together!
If you're experiencing facial movement difficulties, involuntary muscle contractions or symptoms associated with a diagnosed movement disorder, an individual assessment can help establish whether Midlands Jaw Physiotherapy is appropriate for you.
✅ 60-minute specialist assessment
✅ No GP referral needed
✅ Individual treatment plan
Why Choose Midlands Jaw Physiotherapy...
✅ Exclusive focus on facial palsy, jaw and neck conditions
✅ Independent Prescriber
✅ Medical Botulinum Toxin when appropriate
✅ HCPC & CSP Registered
✅ Evidence-based treatment
✅ Personalised rehabilitation programmes