Neck & Head
Torticollis
Also called: Wry neck; congenital muscular torticollis in infants
A twisted or tilted neck position. In adults it's usually acute wry neck — waking with the head stuck and painful, from joint locking and muscle spasm. In infants, congenital muscular torticollis involves a tight sternocleidomastoid muscle causing a head tilt and rotation preference — very treatable, and best addressed early.
Common signs
- Head tilted to one side with painful, limited rotation (adults)
- Sudden onset, often noticed on waking
- In infants: consistent head tilt, preference to look one way, sometimes a flat spot developing on the skull
- In infants: a small lump in the neck muscle may be felt
Seek help now if
- Adult torticollis with fever, swallowing trouble, or drooling
- Neurological signs in arms or legs
- In infants: torticollis with facial asymmetry progressing quickly, or fixed rigidity — needs evaluation to rule out non-muscular causes
Any of these: call 911 or get to an emergency room first. Everything else can wait.
What to do first
- Adults: gentle movement within comfort, heat, and early examination — these usually resolve in days with care
- Don't force rotation into sharp pain
- Infants: schedule an evaluation promptly; early gentle care shortens the course dramatically
- Infants: increase supervised tummy time and alternate feeding/carrying sides
If it's become chronic
- Recurring adult wry neck suggests underlying joint dysfunction worth correcting between episodes
- Untreated infant torticollis can contribute to skull flattening and motor asymmetry — persistence past early months warrants a structured program and follow-up
Natural healing options we use
- Gentle specific chiropractic care appropriate to age
- Soft tissue therapy for the involved muscles
- For infants: parent-guided positioning, stretching, and strengthening play
- Attended e-stim (adults) for spasm
About imaging
Adults: not needed for typical wry neck. Infants: ultrasound of the neck muscle if the course is atypical; imaging to exclude bony causes when exam suggests it.
Daily self-care
- Adults: heat, gentle rotation practice, supportive sleep setup
- Parents: environment set up so baby must look toward the non-preferred side
- Consistent daily home program — frequency beats intensity
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Please read: this page is education, not a diagnosis. A proper examination is how a condition gets confirmed and a plan gets built. See our medical disclaimer.