Torticollis

What is torticollis?

Torticollis is a muscle spasm in the neck that occurs suddenly to protect the neck from another problem in its joints.

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What are the causes of torticollis?

Several causes are possible. In general, torticollis develops suddenly after a sudden neck movement, after a night's sleep in an unusual neck position, or after an accident (a fall, a car accident, for example).

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What are the symptoms of torticollis?

The main symptoms are:

• Sudden onset of neck pain
• Difficulty turning the head (often one side is much more difficult than the other)
• Difficulty tilting the head to the side (often one side is much more difficult than the other)
• Muscle spasms in the neck

"The pain is often constant and prevents us from doing our usual daily activities, such as checking our blind spots while driving and bending our head forward to pick up an object."

It is also often very difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position at night, especially in the first few days.

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How is torticollis diagnosed?

Diagnosis is made based on a review of your symptoms and a clinical examination.

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When should you see a physiotherapist for torticollis?

You should see a physiotherapist if you have symptoms as described above.

You do not need to see a doctor before consulting a physiotherapist. If your condition requires you to see a doctor, your physiotherapist will be able to tell you.

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What physiotherapy treatments are available for torticollis?

Your physiotherapist will perform an assessment to determine the cause of the torticollis by evaluating the following elements:

• Your joint mobility
• The gliding of your nerves
• Your postural habits
• The quality of your movements
• Your strength and stability

Based on the assessment results, your physiotherapist will:

• Mobilize the joints, muscles, and nerves in your neck to reduce pain and improve movement
• Give you specific exercises to do at home to address the cause of the problem and relieve pain
• Teach you how to properly manage your daily activities and hobbies to optimize healing
• Will give you advice for your postural habits and movements.

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What can I do at home for torticollis?

Temporarily stop doing movements that cause too much pain, and then gradually start doing them again.

Here are some other tips that may help at home:

• Move your neck in the movements that don't cause any pain at all
• Do gentle neck stretches without pain.
• Support your shoulders and shoulder blades
  
  • With a cushion under your armpit
  • With the armrests of a chair or sofa
  • By putting your hand in your pants pocket.
• Limit the time spent in the same position (computer, television, reading). Get up often for a few minutes to move your neck and shoulders a little.
• Make sure your neck is well supported while you sleep with a pillow that fills the hollow of your neck. Sleeping on your stomach should be avoided.

If you don't see any improvement after 10 days, you should consult a physiotherapist.

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Sources

• Van Zundert J, Patijn J, Hartrick C, Lataster A, Huygen F, Mekhail N, van Kleef M, editors. Evidence-based interventional pain medicine: according to clinical diagnoses. John Wiley & Sons; 2011 Dec 12.
• Childs JD, Cleland JA, Elliott JM, Teyhen DS, Wainner RS, Whitman JM, Sopky BJ, Godges JJ, Flynn TW. CLINICAL GUIDELINES-Neck Pain: Clinical Practice Guidelines Linked to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health From the Orthopaedic Section of the American Physical Therapy Association. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy. 2008;38(9):A1.

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