Cervical dystonia is a neurological condition that affects at least 90,000 people in the United States. Tiffany Sparks-Keeney of Bellevue knows the problem only too well.

When she was halfway though her master’s degree in occupational therapy at the University of Washington, Sparks-Keeney began experiencing an excruciating pain in her neck.

She said it felt like a horrible cramp, or a charlie-horse that wouldn’t go away.

“Picture the worst headache you’ve ever had, multiply that five times, and then imagine that it’s in your neck,” she said.

To make matters worse, no one could properly diagnose her problem.

“I saw eight different professionals,” she said.

In test after test, none of them could make a direct and correct diagnosis, she said. A discouraged Sparks-Keeney racked her brain for anything she may have heard over the years that could send her in the right direction.

Finally she remembered from a class lecture that Botox can be used to treat patients with cerebral palsy. She found a doctor at the UW who administered the medicine and booked an appointment.

“I was lucky. I found out about Botox in lecture,” said Sparks-Keeney

Dr. Ib Odderson diagnosed her with cervical dystonia, and recommended Botox as a treatment. Odderson classifies it as a “painful movement disorder, with relentless involuntary muscle contractions.”

He added that during the day, cervical dystonia will cause the neck muscles to contract in a way that makes the head tilt toward one shoulder.

Odderson said making a diagnosis can be difficult, and people could have it for a long time before someone realizes what it is. According to Odderson, Botox helps because it is a muscle relaxant and is injected into the over-active muscles. There are minimal risks associated with using Botox as treatment, he said.

Odderson has also prescribed Botox to treat migraines, drooling, muscle pain, over-active sweat glands, and tics and dystonias of the face.

After Sparks-Keeney started receiving treatment, she was able to “participate in life again,” she said. “I can get big hugs again. It helps with driving, too. Before it was hard to rotate my head around, and I’m able to do all sorts of driving now.”

She is a part of the Dystonia Foundation, and through that found out about the Botox Dreams contest. It is a national campaign that recognizes those living with cervical dystonia. Winners are awarded money to donate to a cause of their choice.

She submitted a story that told of her struggles, and was one of four winners. She donated $10,000 to the Children’s Institute for Learning Differences on Mercer Island, which is where she works. According to Sparks-Keeney, it is a therapeutic school for children with behavioral and learning challenges.

She enjoys working there because she is able to show kids that they’re OK. Sharing her life experiences, especially those involving cervical dystonia, can potentially help students and their families work through their own challenges.

“I tell them: ‘Let’s figure out how we can make this work,'” said Sparks-Keeney.

She was grateful to give money to an organization she really believes in. She also recognized that many people don’t know about cervical dystonia, and wants to help others find relief.

Her biggest mission is to connect with those who have a medical condition had can’t be diagnosed. “There’s not a lot of support in that area,” she said. “And this has given me the opportunity to talk to people about it.”

Alison Ingham is a student in the University Of Washington Department Of Communication News Laboratory.