What is Torticollis?

Torticollis or wry neck is a problem involving the muscles of the neck that causes the head to tilt down along with pain. There is generally a tilt to one side of the head, while the chin tilts toward the opposite side.

Causes of Torticollis:

  • Damage to the muscle or blood supply to the neck, Sleeping in an awkward position, Burn injury to the neck, Neck muscle spasm.

Symptoms:

  • an inability to move your head normally, neck pain or stiffness, a headache, having one shoulder higher than the other, swollen neck muscles, Chin tilted toward one side, Head tremor.

Physiotherapy Management:

Thermal therapy:

  • Applying heat can reduce the neck muscle spasm and pain. heat can be administered through Hot packs, Infrared therapy, also, TR-therapy.

Manual therapy:

  • Soft tissue mobilization- massaging the neck muscle can improve the blood supply, reduce spasms, as well as improve mobility, Mobilization and manipulation, Chiropractic adjustment, Traction, Kinesio taping, and Vibration therapy.

Exercise therapy:

Stretching exercises-

  • Sit or stand with your head looking forward. > Gently Rotate your head to the right. > Your right hand should be placed lightly on the back of your head so that the weight of your hand leads your chin to point down toward your chest. > Maintain this position for 15 seconds. > Do this three times on each side.
  • Hang your arms down by your side as you sit or stand. > Grab your left wrist with your right hand after reaching your hands behind your back. > You will feel a light stretch in your neck if you gently pull your left arm down and tilt your head to the right. > Continue holding this stretch for up to 30 seconds. > 3 sets for both sides.

Muscle balancing- 

  • By strengthening the weakened muscles and stretching the thought muscles. Isometric exercises are started to reduce pain and simultaneously strengthen the neck muscles

Therapeutic modalities such as:

  • Combination therapy,
  • Super Inductive System.