Chiropractic care has benefited so many of our patients based in the greater Temecula, CA area. Whether dealing with a sports injury, lower back pain, or various upper back and neck issues, Horst Chiropractic can help. We are blessed to have made such a positive impact on people’s lives.

With this in mind, we’d like to turn our attention to torticollis, a condition that affects the position of the neck. It can affect infants as well adults, and chiropractic adjustments can play an effective role in treatment.

About Torticollis

Also known as wry neck and loxia, torticollis refers to a condition in which a person’s neck tends to lean or twist to one side. Torticollis can also result in the neck tilting downward. In most cases of torticollis, a person’s head will tilt toward one shoulder while their chin is pointed at the opposite shoulder.

The term torticollis comes from a combination of the Latin words tortus (twisted) and collum (neck).

Causes of Torticollis

Torticollis is caused by problems with the sternocleidomastoid (SCM), a muscle located on the left and right sides of the neck. This muscle runs down the neck from the back of the ear to the collarbone.

There are, broadly speaking, two kinds of torticollis:

• Congenital Torticollis – Congenital torticollis refers to children born with the condition. In these cases, the infant’s neck may have been cramped or awkwardly positioned in the womb. Being in breech position may also contribute to congenital torticollis. A family history of torticollis could mean the condition develops slowly over time even if it wasn’t present at birth. The majority of torticollis cases are congenital.
• Acquired Torticollis – Acquired torticollis refers to the condition being caused by injury or trauma. Tumors, infections, and adverse reactions to certain medications can also result in acquired torticollis.

Signs and Symptoms of Torticollis

The most common signs of torticollis include:

• Tilting of the head to one side
• Difficulty turning the head
• Neck pain or soreness
• Tenderness along the neck and shoulder
• Headaches
• Muscle cramping
• Burning sensations

Thankfully the vast majority of torticollis cases can be treated using non-surgical means, such as physical therapy, exercise, and chiropractic adjustments.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help

By targeting the spine and improving spinal alignment, chiropractic adjustments relieve tension along the cervical spine. This results in reduced pain as well as restoration of some neck movement. Regular adjustments can lead to incremental improvements in pain and range of motion.

In addition to spinal adjustment, a chiropractor can incorporate soft tissue manipulation into each session to help address the affected sternocleidomastoid. This can soothe the affected muscle and contribute to pain relief and improved range of motion.

Can Chiropractic Care Be Used to Treat Infant Torticollis?

Since the majority of wry neck cases are congenital, parents may wonder if chiropractic care can help their infant.

Yes, chiropractic care may be helpful in treating infant torticollis, but it’s important to address such matters on a case by case basis. Chiropractic adjustments on infants must be performed delicately, and only a highly experienced chiropractor can attempt these kinds of ultra-delicate adjustments.

Holistic Treatments for Torticollis

In addition to chiropractic adjustment and soft tissue manipulation, we can discuss stretches, exercises, and other practices you can do at home to help improve neck movement and relieve muscle pain. This focus on holistic care is an important part of our approach to treatment, and it can have long-term benefits to your general health.

Contact an Experienced Chiropractor

For more information about treating torticollis as well as other conditions that affect the neck and upper back, be sure to contact the team at Horst Chiropractic. We will use our expertise and insight to help promote total wellness.