Diagnosis

To diagnose dystonia, your doctor will start with a medical history and physical examination.

To determine if underlying conditions are causing your symptoms, your doctor might recommend:

• Blood or urine tests. These tests can reveal signs of toxins or of other conditions.
• MRI or CT scan. These imaging tests can identify abnormalities in your brain, such as tumors, lesions or evidence of a stroke.
• Electromyography (EMG). This test measures the electrical activity within muscles.
• Genetic testing. Some forms of dystonia are associated with certain genes. Knowing whether these genes are present can help guide treatment.