Chiropractor for Torticollis (Wry Neck)
Treatment for Torticollis in Adults and Infants
Author: Dr. Paula Basilio (Chiropractor) B.Chiro.Sci (Macq), M.Chiro (Macq)
Welcome to My Back Relief Clinic! If you’re looking to see a chiropractor for treatment for torticollis, get in touch with our clinic today. Let us assist you in managing your neck pain symptoms and enhancing your quality of life.
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What is Torticollis?
Torticollis in adults, which is also known as wry neck, is a painful condition where the muscles in your neck spasm. This causes you to twist your neck to one side, which will place your head at an odd and uncomfortable angle.
Symptoms of Torticollis
Pain and stiffness are the most common symptoms of torticollis.
It is also common for adults with torticollis to find it difficult to move or straighten their neck or head.
Due to muscle spasms, torticollis may cause you to uncontrollably tilt your head forward or to one side including:
- Your chin bent towards a shoulder
- Tilting an ear towards a shoulder
- Holding your chin straight up
- Tilting your chin straight down
Other symptoms may include the inability to turn your head, tenderness, neck pain, shoulders and down the spine.
What Causes Torticollis?
There are a range of torticollis causes. In adults, torticollis (a sudden muscle spasm) may be brought on by:
- Poor posture habits, such as looking down at your phone for long periods of time, or working behind a computer that is not setup ergonomically
- Awkward sleeping positions that don’t provide enough support for your head
- Carry heavy loads or bags that cause uneven posture and an uneven distribution of weight
- Neck injuries, such as whiplash, or sporting injuries
In some cases, the movement disorder known as dystonia may cause the muscles in your neck to contract involuntarily.
Infant Torticollis
In babies, a difficult birth or your baby’s position in the womb may cause infant torticollis, or infant wry neck. Some babies may be born with an abnormality in their spine, causing a stiff neck.
Symptoms of Infant Torticollis
The following symptoms may indicate infant torticollis:
- Only being able to tilt the head in one direction, or restricted range of motion
- It seems like hard work for your baby to turn their head and look at you
- Looking at you over one shoulder instead of turning to follow you
- When breastfeeding you may notice that your baby has difficulty breastfeeding on one side
It may be difficult to pick up if your baby has a stiff neck or if it is just a head tilt that will correct itself. If you feel that the issue persists, or if the restricted movement is starting to upset you, please consult with us for expert advice.
Torticollis Treatment
When it comes to seeking out treatment for torticollis, there may be a number of symptoms that warrant further investigation. These may include:
- Persistent pain, or pain that is getting worse
- Difficulty in turning your neck, restricted range of movement or having your neck ‘stuck’ in a certain position
- Numbness, tingling or pins and needles, which may indicate nerve interference
- You start having difficulties with your bladder or bowel, you have a fever as well as neck pain
There are a few methods and options to treat torticollis in adults including applying heat, massaging the neck, manual therapy, gentle stretches, and chiropractic care.
Torticollis FAQs
For adults, a Chiropractor may help when head tilt is caused by muscle spasm or joint stiffness in the neck. This is commonly known as acute wry neck. At My Back Relief Clinic in Dulwich Hill, we assess what’s causing the tilt and whether chiropractic care is right for you. If it isn’t, we’ll refer you on.
Chiropractors assess how the joints and muscles of your neck are moving. When areas are stiff, restricted or held in spasm, care may include gentle adjustments, mobilisation, soft tissue therapy and exercises to help restore comfortable movement.We’ll explain what we find at your assessment and what we recommend, and we always ask for your consent before any treatment.
Gentle movement and stretching can help, but timing and technique matter. In the first day or two of acute wry neck, forcing a stretch into pain can make the muscles guard even more. Gentle movement within a comfortable range, heat and staying active usually work better than keeping still. As things settle, specific stretches and strengthening exercises can help restore movement and reduce the chance of it happening again. We’ll show you what’s right for your stage of recovery.
Acute wry neck in adults often improves noticeably within a few days to a couple of weeks, though it varies. Recurring episodes, long-standing stiffness, or torticollis linked to another condition can take longer. After your assessment, we’ll give you a clear Health Action Plan so you know what to expect.
Chiropractor for Torticollis
Treatment Options For Adults and Infants
If you’re looking to see a chiropractor for treatment for torticollis, get in touch with our clinic today.