Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder marked by excessive, involuntary muscle contractions that lead to abnormal, often repetitive movements and sustained postures. These symptoms can be painful and interfere with voluntary movement. Dystonia can affect almost any part of the body—including the face, neck, vocal cords, limbs, or torso—and may involve one or multiple muscle groups, causing the condition to vary widely in appearance and severity among individuals. It affects people of all ages and races.

Beyond movement difficulties, dystonia is frequently associated with non-motor symptoms such as depression and anxiety, which can significantly reduce quality of life. The disorder results from dysfunction in the brain’s motor control circuits, particularly those responsible for coordinating movement. Some forms of dystonia are genetic, while others develop as a result of medications, injury, or other neurological conditions.

For more information, visit www.dystonia-foundation.org/what-is-dystonia/.

The Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (DMRF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a mission to advance global research for more effective treatments and ultimately a cure, promote awareness and education, and support the needs and well-being of affected individuals and families worldwide.

Marking its 50th anniversary in 2026, the DMRF is the oldest and most respected patient advocacy group for dystonia and a primary resource for the worldwide dystonia community. The DMRF holds the highest rating from Charity Navigator and has earned a Platinum Seal from Candid, demonstrating the Foundation’s ongoing transparency and effectiveness.

For more information on how the DMRF can support you, visit www.dystonia-foundation.org.

Research

The DMRF funds and stimulates dystonia research, providing grants that often serve as seed funding leading to larger federal awards. To date, the DMRF has provided millions in research funding. The foundation also supports the Dystonia Coalition, an international research network accelerating clinical studies and data collection, and publishes Dystonia, a dedicated scientific open-access journal to publish and disseminate research advances.

Advocacy

The DMRF is a member organization of, and provides staff support to, the Dystonia Advocacy Network, a team of

dystonia organizations working together to give the dystonia community a voice in Washington, DC.

Awareness & Community Support

The DMRF provides education, awareness campaigns, support resources, and events to help patients, families, and clinicians understand and manage dystonia better.

Visit https://dmrfpedalsandpoints.swell.gives/ to make a donation for Dystonia research.