Affecting more than 90,000 people in the United States, Torticollis is a debilitating neurological movement disorder. Also known as wryneck, this condition can cause your neck to twist tilting the head at an odd angle. From causes to symptoms here’s everything you need to know about this disorder:
What is Torticollis?
The term torticollis is a combination of two Latin words tortus (twisted) and collum neck. The most common type of torticollis is congenital muscular torticollis which occurs at birth. If a child develops this disorder after birth, the case becomes acquired muscular torticollis. This type of condition is most likely associated with other severe conditions.
What Causes Torticollis?
Humans have a muscle on either side of their neck called sternocleidomastoid. This extends from the back of our ears to our collarbones. In the case of torticollis one side of this muscle is shorter than the other causing the neck to tilt to one side. The most common causes of this condition are complications during birth and genetic disorders. The added pressure on this side of the head can cause the muscle to contract and tighten over time.
In the case of acquired torticollis, the main causes are vigorous movement, injury, improper sleeping position, and muscle spasms.
What Are The Symptoms of This Disorder?
You won’t notice the symptoms immediately, as these can develop and worsen over time. Some common symptoms include:
- Frequent headaches
- Neck pains
- Neck stiffness
- Restricted head movement
- Shoulders at uneven heights
- Tilted chin
- Unbalanced necks in newborns
How Can Torticollis Be Treated?
Based on the type of torticollis, we’ll determine a treatment plan after taking into account the following factors:
- Medical history and age
- The severity of the disorder
- Your pain tolerance level
- Your medical preferences
After this, we’ll either recommend wearing a neck collar, stretching exercises, traction, massing using heat therapy, ultrasound therapy and physical therapy, or opting for surgery to lengthen your neck muscles. You might also be prescribed some medications such as muscle relaxants or botulinum toxin injections.
Don’t wait any longer, seek medical advice to deal with this condition right away. Neurology specialist Dr. Farzin Pedouim from Movement Help has years of experience and up-to-date knowledge on these conditions. Based at Huntington Beach he also helps with other issues such as Dystonia Botox Treatment, Headache Treatment, Blepharospasm Botox Treatment, and Spasticity Botox Treatment
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