Phil, I don't understand how rigidity could be mistaken for dystonia. True dystonia as I know it could be diagnosed by practically anybody. There's no mistaking the distorted limbs (most often a foot), pain, and cramping characteristic of dystonia. Rigidity from what I understand is just that, rigidity or paralysis, hence the name paralysis agitans (sp?) I suffer from both and I'd gladly take being rigid over a 20 minute bout with foot dystonia. Greg 47/35/35