This course is designed to help the allied health practitioner recognize the presentation of dystonia as a diagnosis and movement disorder. This course will also describe the basics of the known pathophysiology, and discuss the foundation of an evidence-based treatment approach.
Live Webinar
Wed, Dec 10, 2025 at 6:00 pm ESTCEUs/Hours Offered: AK/2.0; AL/2.0; AR/2.0; AZ/2.0; CA/2.0; CO/2.0; CT/2.0; DC/2.0; DE/2.0; FL/2.0; GA/2.0; HI/2.0; IA/2.0; IACET/0.2; ID/2.0; IL/2.0; IN/2.0; KS/2.0; KY/2.0 Category 2; MA/2.0; MD/2.0; ME/2.0; MI/2.0; MO/2.0; MS/2.0; MT/2.0; NC/2.0; ND/2.0; NE/2.0; NH/2.0; NJ/2.0; NY/2.0; OH/2.0; OK/2.0; OR/2.0; PA/2.0; RI/2.0; SC/2.0; SD/2.0; TN/2.0; TX/2.0; UT/2.0; VA/2.0; VT/2.0; WA/2.0; WI/2.0; WY/2.0
Learning Outcomes
- After this course, participants will be able to differentiate dystonia from similarly presenting orthopedic and neurologic conditions, including key features of the diagnosis, pathophysiological mechanisms, prognosis, and indications for referral to neurologists or other providers.
- After this course, participants will be able to analyze movement patterns to identify different types of dystonia and involved muscle groups to target physical therapy interventions.
- After this course, participants will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the PT treatment approach for dystonia, including movement analysis, sensory retraining, motor control principles, including the OPTIMAL Theory of Motor Learning, external vs. internal cueing, consideration of physical limitations, and utilization of exercise and manual skills.
Agenda
| 0-15 Minutes | Introduction, review of learning outcomes, background including definition of dystonia, epidemiology, types of dystonia, basics of pathophysiology, motor and non-motor symptoms |
| 15-25 Minutes | Identifying dystonia: differentiating signs and symptoms |
| 25-50 Minutes | Treatment approach: rationale, evidence |
| 50-70 Minutes | Case 1: Cervical Dystonia - identifying, deciding appropriate treatment, results |
| 70-90 Minutes | Case 2: Musician’s Dystonia - identifying, deciding appropriate treatment, results |
| 90-115 Minutes | Case 3: Runner’s Dystonia - identifying, deciding appropriate treatment, results |
| 115-120 Minutes | Summary, Q&A |
Presented By
Lincoln Beal
PT, DPT, NCS
Lincoln Beal is a board-certified neurologic clinical specialist physical therapist based out of Los Angeles, California, working at re+active Therapy and Wellness, an outpatient integrated care clinic that specializes in neurologic care through physical therapy, occupational therapy, psychotherapy, and wellness services. He completed his doctoral studies at the University of Southern California in 2021, and the Schmidt Movement Disorders Fellowship in 2022. He has passion for working with complex movement disorders and educating on the topic of dystonia, including in his role as Director of the Dystonia Program at re+active.
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Financial disclosures: Lincoln Beal received an honorarium for this course.
Non-financial disclosures: Lincoln Beal has no relevant non-financial disclosures.
Sponsor Disclosure: This Course is presented by PhysicalTherapy.com, a Continued site.
Content Disclosure: This learning event does not focus exclusively on any specific product or service.
Course participation information
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California
PhysicalTherapy.com is a recognized continuing competency approval agency for the Physical Therapy Board of California. This course is offered for 2.00 hours of continuing competency.
CE Broker
PhysicalTherapy.com is approved to report to CE Broker for PTs and PTAs licensed in the states of AR, AZ, FL, GA, KS, MI, MS, ND, NV, OK, SC and TN, and ATs licensed in the states of AZ, KS, LA, MI, TN, and WI. CE Provider #: 50-14089. If you are a PT/PTA or AT in one of these states, CE Broker may be of interest to you.
Washington D.C.
The District of Columbia Board of Physical Therapy (Board) has established that PhysicalTherapy.com is an approved continuing education provider for DC physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. Licensees must adhere to all other continuing education regulations of the Board, including those related to online courses and content.
International Association for Continuing Education and Training
continued, LLC, DBA PhysicalTherapy.com, is accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). continued complies with the ANSI/IACET Standard, which is recognized internationally as a standard of excellence in instructional practices. As a result of this accreditation, continued is authorized to issue the IACET CEU. continued, LLC, is authorized by IACET to offer 0.20 CEUs for this program.
IL Physical Therapy Continuing Education Sponsor
PhysicalTherapy.com is approved by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation as a sponsor of continuing education for PTs/PTAs (Sponsor License #216000252). This course is offered for 2.00 hours (Intermediate level).
KPTA
This course is offered for 2.00 hours (Intermediate level, Category 2) by the Kentucky Physical Therapy Association (Provider #CS80-2024-APTAKY).
New Jersey
NJ- The New Jersey State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners has approved continuing education courses on PhysicalTherapy.com. Refer to individual courses for details related to credits offered.
New York
PhysicalTherapy.com is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Physical Therapy as an approved provider of physical therapy and physical therapist assistant continuing education.
Ohio
OH- The Ohio Physical Therapy Association has approved this course for continuing education for PTs/PTAs licensed in Ohio, Course approval #25S2720
Oklahoma
PhysicalTherapy.com is an Approved Provider by the Oklahoma State Board of Medical Licensure & Supervision for Physical Therapists, PT CE Provider BAP202310006. This course is offered for 2.00 hours of continuing education for Oklahoma PTs/PTAs.
Texas Physical Therapy Association
This course is offered for 2.00 hours (Intermediate level) by the Texas Physical Therapy Association. The assignment of Texas PT CCUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by TPTA or TBPTE. The Texas Physical Therapy Association (TPTA) administers the CCAP on behalf of the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (Provider #2706033TX).
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