QI Spine Blog


Torticollis Explained- What Causes It, How It Feels, and the Best Ways to Treat It!

, 4 months ago

What is Torticollis? It is a muscular condition affecting the neck, leading to neck stiffness, muscle tightness, and abnormal neck posture. People with this condition experience neck muscle spasms, causing a head tilt or limited neck rotation. It could be a condition that can be contracted by every individual, ranging from babies to adults.

Torticollis is a wry neck and can be temporary or chronic. The ranges in intensity and the ways they manifest range from being self-limiting to needing medical attention. In severe cases, untreated torticollis can lead to spinal deformity, making movement even more complex over time.

Symptoms of Torticollis

The symptoms of torticollis vary depending on the severity of the condition. Common signs include:

  • Neck pain and discomfort.
  • Difficulty moving the head from side to side.
  • Spasms in neck muscles can be painful and involuntary.
  • Uneven shoulder height due to the head tilting in one direction.
  • Postural deformity caused by prolonged muscle contraction.
  • A feeling of neck stiffness that worsens over time.
 

Some cases of spasmodic torticollis involve sudden and unpredictable neck muscle spasms, making normal head movement extremely painful. If these spasms are left unnoticed, they progress to occur more frequently and can interfere with daily activities.

Causes of Torticollis

The causes of torticollis differ based on whether the condition is congenital or acquired.

Congenital Causes:

  • Muscle tightness from birth due to an abnormal position in the womb.
  • Occasionally, it would also involve actual injury to the cervical muscles at birth, thus limiting their mobility.
  • Limited space in the uterus leads to postural deformity.
 

Acquired Causes:

  • Neck stiffness due to prolonged poor posture, such as sleeping awkwardly or looking down at screens for extended periods.
  • Cervical dystonia is a neurological disorder causing involuntary neck muscle spasms.
  • Infections or inflammation leading to spinal deformity.
  • Potential adverse effects related to their medications that have side effects on muscles.
 

Other factors, such as injuries, tumours or abnormal neck posture, can also contribute to torticollis. Consequently, the vital step is the identification of the root cause of the problem.

Types of Torticollis

There are different types of torticollis, each with unique causes and symptoms:

  • Congenital Torticollis: Present at birth, often due to muscle tightness or restricted movement in the womb.
  • Acquired Torticollis: Develops later due to injury, infection, or neck muscle spasms.
  • Spasmodic Torticollis: A neurological disorder causing neck muscle spasms and abnormal neck posture.
  • Acute Torticollis: Sudden onset due to strain, postural deformity, or viral infections
  • Chronic Torticollis: A long-term condition that may require treatment of torticollis through medical interventions.
 

Torticollis in Adults

Torticollis in adults is often caused by cervical dystonia, poor posture, or injury. Symptoms include neck pain, difficulty moving the head, and abnormal neck posture. Adults with chronic torticollis may find it challenging to perform daily activities due to persistent muscle tightness and neck stiffness.

Treatment options for adults include:

  • Muscle relaxants to ease neck muscle spasms.
  • Botox injections to reduce spasmodic torticollis.
  • Physical therapy with stretching exercises.
  • Pain management for torticollis through medication and heat and cold therapy.
 

Torticollis Babies Treatment

Newborns can develop torticollis, often called wry neck. Torticollis treatment for babies focuses on stretching and positioning techniques.

  • Torticollis baby exercises, like gentle neck stretches, help improve mobility.
  • For neck movement, parents are advised to put toys at the side where their child tends to complain of aches.
  • Neck braces may be used in severe cases.
  • Early intervention with physiotherapy can prevent postural deformity, which can even be practiced at home. 
 

Parents should consult a pediatrician if their baby shows signs of limited neck rotation or abnormal neck posture to ensure proper torticollis treatment baby.

Diagnosis of Torticollis

A doctor diagnoses torticollis through:

  • Physical examination.
  • Evaluating neck stiffness, limited neck rotation, and spinal deformity.
  • Tests such as X-rays or MRI scans help to eliminate other diseases.
 

Treatment of Torticollis

The treatment of torticollis depends on the severity and cause.

  • Physical therapy: Stretching and strengthening exercises to improve neck stiffness.
  • Muscle relaxants: Help reduce neck muscle spasms.
  • Botox injections: Provide relief for spasmodic torticollis.
  • Heat and cold therapy: Alleviates neck pain and inflammation.
  • Surgery for torticollis: In rare cases, surgical intervention is required for severe spinal deformity.
 

At QI Spine, we specialize in non-surgical treatments for spine-related conditions, including torticollis. Our advanced diagnostic techniques and customized physiotherapy programs help patients regain mobility and live at their best. 

Pain Management for Torticollis

Managing torticollis pain involves:

  • Pain management for torticollis through medication.
  • Stretching exercises to improve flexibility.
  • Neck braces to support posture.
  • Heat and cold therapy for relief.
 

Conclusion

Understanding what is torticollis helps in early diagnosis and treatment. Proper care and physical therapy can make a significant difference when dealing with torticollis in adults or newborns. If you experience persistent neck pain or difficulty moving the head, seek medical advice to explore effective treatments.

The sooner torticollis is diagnosed, the better the chances of successful management. Early intervention with stretching exercises, neck braces, and physical therapy can help prevent long-term complications. If symptoms persist, consult a specialist to discuss advanced treatment options for torticollis.

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FAQs

Adult onset of torticollis is characterized by acute, painful neck muscle spasms and is caused by injury or degenerative modification. Unlike most children, they have the congenital kind, which results from muscle tension leading to the development of the head tilt. This condition requires early detection and age-relevant intervention to avoid the worsening of the condition.

Some signs of torticollis are a head tilted to one side, inability of the neck to move freely, and, of course, muscle twitching. Some children and adults might also complain of having a stiff neck and slight discomfort at the back of the neck. This shows that there are signs that, if diagnosed earlier, the best solution can be given to reduce the chances of developing chronic diseases.

Whatever the cause, if torticollis is not treated, signs may become chronic, and the patient might be at risk of developing muscle imbalances, postural or spine alignment problems as well as chronic pain. Muscle contraction can also lead to other forms of headaches hence a decrease in quality of life in the long-run. The ways through which these complications can be avoided is by proper management of promptness.

The best ways to manage torticollis include physical therapy, medications, and exercises for muscles that are affected by the condition, which may take several days to several weeks to alleviate. Yet, the time can be different depending on the harm and the presence of additional complications. The medications are mainly useful in the early stages of the lifestyle, as they lower the recurrence rate and the period of recovery.

It is possible to have torticollis mistaken for other neck conditions like muscle strains, cervical spine conditions, or even certain dystonias. It is easily confused with such conditions as anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, and hypochondria, and thus, every clinical diagnosis, sometimes with the help of imaging tests, should differentiate it.

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