What is Torticollis?
Torticollis, often called “wry neck”, is a painful condition where the neck becomes stiff and stuck in a twisted or tilted position. It typically involves muscle spasm or irritation of the joints in the cervical spine, often affecting the sternocleidomastoid (SCM), upper trapezius, or deep neck muscles.
It can appear suddenly (acute torticollis) or develop gradually due to posture, strain, or irritation.
Symptoms & What You May Experience
- Sudden or gradual
neck pain and stiffness
- Head held in a
tilted or rotated position
- Restricted movement when trying to turn your head
- Muscle spasm on one side of the neck
- Pain that may
refer to the shoulder, jaw, or upper back
- Difficulty finding a comfortable sleeping position
- Headache or tension behind the ear or eye
What causes Torticollis?
Common triggers include:
- Sudden awkward movement or sleeping in an unusual position
- Muscle spasm due to strain or poor posture
- Joint irritation in the cervical spine (facet joint locking)
- Stress or bracing of the shoulders and neck
- Whiplash injury or rapid movement
- Prolonged desk work, driving, or phone use
- In children, may be linked to posture, muscle tightness, or birth history
Often the cause is mechanical rather than serious, and symptoms resolve with the right support.
How We Help (At Victoria Park Osteopaths)
Our goal is to reduce pain, ease muscle spasm, and restore normal neck movement safely:
- Gentle joint mobilisations to the cervical spine and upper back
- Soft tissue techniques to relax spasm in neck and shoulder muscles
- Trigger point release or myofascial work
- Heat/contrast therapy guidance where suitable
- Neck mobility and stretching exercises
- Posture and ergonomic advice
- Breathing or relaxation techniques to reduce guarding
If jaw, upper back, or rib involvement contributes, we also address those areas.
Recovery Time & What to Expect
- Most acute torticollis improves within
3–7 days
- More stubborn cases may last
2–3 weeks
- Early treatment often speeds recovery significantly
- Preventative exercises help reduce recurrence
When to Seek Medical Review / Red Flags
You should seek further assessment if you experience:
- Severe trauma or recent accident
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in arms or hands
- Fever, infection symptoms, or unexplained weight loss
- Persistent headache, dizziness, or neurological signs
- Symptoms not improving after 1–2 weeks
