Music icon Celine Dion bares her struggle with stiff-person syndrome in a poignant scene from her new documentary, "I Am: Celine Dion," now streaming on Prime Video. The film captures a raw moment of the 56-year-old star enduring a severe spasm during physical therapy.
In the footage, Dion lies on her side, visibly freezing up and whimpering in pain as she experiences a spasm. This intimate glimpse into her battle with the rare neurological condition comes over a year after she publicly disclosed her diagnosis in December 2022.
The documentary shows Dion's physical therapist guiding her through the episode, asking her to squeeze his hand to signal pain. He administers a nasal spray upon noticing her labored breathing. The team considers calling 911 if another spasm occurs, but Dion weakly assures them she's okay.
This unfiltered moment was one Dion insisted on keeping in the film. Director Irene Taylor told the Los Angeles Times that when shown a rough cut six months later, Dion urged, "Don't cut down that scene."
The documentary also reveals that Dion has been grappling with symptoms for 17 years.
Stiff-person syndrome, affecting only one or two in a million people, is an autoimmune and neurological disorder. It causes muscle stiffness and painful spasms, which can be triggered by various stimuli including loud noises, touch, or emotional stress.
Dr. Jennifer Hankenson of Yale Medicine explains that the condition stems from low levels of GABA, a brain chemical crucial for controlling anxiety, emotional responses, and muscle movement. This deficiency can lead to intense, spreading muscle spasms.
While there's no cure, treatment focuses on symptom management through medications like sedatives, muscle relaxants, and steroids. Immunotherapies and physical therapies, including aqua therapy, have shown promise in reducing stiffness and sensitivity to triggers.