Helpful Products

The products listed on this page are tools that have helped people with their spasmodic torticollis. The prices cover the cost of the product plus shipping. The NSTA does not make a substantial amount of profit from the sale of these items. The prices listed are for members and non members who reside in the United States. We verify membership status before shipping orders made through our website.

If you reside outside the United States and would like to order "Living Well with Dystonia", "Spasmodic Torticollis Handbook" and Physical Therapy & Exercise Video, please contact the NSTA at nstamail@aol.com so we can email you an invoice for the your order with the additional sipping cost.

Books & Videos

 “Living Well With Dystonia” is the culmination of decades of treating patients with dystonia, of listening to their long and sometimes frustrating journeys to diagnosis and treatment, of hearing about its effects on their lives, and of recognizing that very little information was available for those who wanted to educate themselves about their illness.  The last point was particularly troubling, because we know that when patients with chronic illnesses educate themselves and play an active role in their treatment, they do better.  In addition, we know that patient perseverance goes a long way toward getting the correct diagnosis and treatment, since dystonia is relatively rare and even some general neurologists are not well-versed in this disorder. 

“Living Well With Dystonia” was written to provide an easy-to-understand primer about the medical aspects of different dystonias, including anatomy, physiology, diagnosis, progression, and treatment. Medical terms and concepts are introduced sequentially and used as building blocks for later discussion. The book also includes compelling and inspiring first-person accounts from patients with dystonias, many of whom have found ways to have rich and fulfilling lives in spite of their symptoms. These accounts are especially helpful in illustrating to doctors and patients that everyone experiences symptoms differently, and treatment has to be individualized. In addition, it sends a clear message to patients and their loved ones that they are not alone – there are numerous resources that can provide support. As you will see from the patient stories, most patients with dystonia eventually find out that they are stronger and more resilient than they thought.

- Member Price: $20.00, includes shipping.  ($25.00 for non members)   

The Spasmodic Torticollis Handbook: A Guide to Treatment and Rehabilitation
by Mayank Pathak, MD, Karen Frei, MD, and Daniel Truong, MD
     A book about ST written for patients.  The book is a complete resource about ST and its treatment. 

     Dedicated to Nancy Muller, an NSTA member and support group leader and the patient of the authors, the book begins with an introduction describing ST.  It includes a chapter by Nancy about coping and life with ST.  The third chapter contains detailed sketches of the muscles of the neck that can be involved in ST.  Hidden at the end of Chapter 3 is an all too brief description of how ST causes pain; it's nice to find a detailed discussion of pain management later, in Chapter 8.  Other chapters discuss how ST is diagnosed and treated.  And finally, Chapter 9 includes almost 20 pages of exercises ST patients can do at home with diagrams to help understand exactly how to do them.  
     Dr. Pathak was one of the creators of our NSTA physical therapy video, and has been so good as to present the exercises in the Spasmodic Torticollis Handbook in approximately the same order as they appear in the tape.  Thus, not only does the Handbook present detailed, information about ST all in one source, it also can be an invaluable aide to be used in conjunction with the PT tape.  The sketches and descriptions in the Handbook make it possible to do the exercises without the video, but should you have difficulty following from the book, the model in the video may clarify the exact positions for some of the exercises.  Certainly, if you are buying the PT video (available on VHS or DVD), the handbook would be a far better supplement than the printer materials we are currently able to provide.

 - Member Price: $20.00, includes shipping.  ($25.00 for non members) 

Physical Therapy and Exercise for ST

     NSTA's 35 minute video or DVD about physical therapy and exercise for people with ST is based on the work of Mayank Pathak, MD and Jean Pierre Bleton, PT.  The video explains the importance of relaxation, stretching and exercise.  It also includes demonstrations of exercises and stretches.  Used with our article "Home Exercises for Spasmodic Torticollis Therapy," you can develop a routine to suit your individual condition. 
     Dr. Pathak is an esteemed neurologist who has special experience in the physical therapy and rehabilitation of patients with Spasmodic Torticollis.  He is on staff at the Parkinson's & Movement Disorder Institute in Fountain Valley, CA.
     Mr. Jean Pierre Bleton is a member of the French League Against Dystonia and also the head physical therapist and manager of the Neurology Department under the Rehabilitation Unit at Raymond Garcin Center, located in the Sainte-Anne Hospital in Paris, France.

     The Physical Therapy and Exercise video is available on VHS cassette and DVD disk. Please specify which format you would like to receive when ordering.