15 Causes of Cervical Dystonia You Need to Know About

9. Birth or Early Childhood Injuries

Injuries sustained during birth—particularly those involving the neck or nervous system—can predispose individuals to dystonic patterns later in life. In some cases, subtle birth trauma affecting cervical alignment or early brain development may lie dormant until adolescence or adulthood, when symptoms emerge unexpectedly. Similarly, childhood injuries like concussions or neck trauma can disturb the basal ganglia (the part of the brain involved in movement regulation). These incidents may seem minor at the time but compound over years. A full neurological history—starting from birth—can often reveal patterns that contemporary diagnoses overlook. Sometimes the roots go further back than we think.

10. Occupational Hazards and Physical Repetition

Certain professions carry a higher risk of triggering cervical dystonia due to repeated strain and lack of variation in movement. Assembly line workers, dental hygienists, surgeons, or even hairstylists—all perform precise, repeated actions with their upper body. When the same muscles are used for hours daily without adequate rest, the body can fall into maladaptive patterns. What begins as tension slowly becomes rigidity. Over time, the nervous system adapts to these distortions, making abnormal movement feel “normal.” If your job forces your neck into the same position day after day, take it seriously—it might be more than just a sore neck.