Torticollis

Are you experiencing any of the following symptoms?

  • Neck pain – typically on one side
  • Headaches
  • Shoulder or arm pain
  • Muscle spasms
  • Inability to straighten the head or neck

Torticollis, often referred to as “wry neck,” is a condition characterised by the twisting of the neck. The term itself means “twisted neck”, and it results from the painful inflammation of joint tissues, leading the muscles of the neck—particularly the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle—to enter a prolonged state of spasm. While torticollis primarily affects babies and children, it can also occur in adults.

Causes of Torticollis

Torticollis can develop due to a variety of factors, including:

  • Sudden and intense muscle spasms
  • Trauma to the head or neck (e.g., hitting the head, whiplash)
  • Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disorder (GORD)
  • Vision problems
  • Degeneration of discs and spinal joints, including spinal disc bulges, herniations, and protrusions
  • Reactions to certain medications
treatment for torticollis at Melbourne Spine Clinic and Malvern

How Do Chiropractors Treat Torticollis?

At Malvern Chiropractic Clinic and Melbourne Spine Clinic, the Cox® Certified Practitioners employ conservative, gentle, and non-invasive Cox® Flexion-Distraction Therapy to effectively treat torticollis.

While massage and other soft tissue therapies can provide some temporary relief, they often do not address the underlying mechanical disorders that cause the muscles to shorten in the first place.

Chiropractors specialise in treating torticollis by carefully administering spinal manipulation, along with targeted soft tissue therapies, to correct the musculoskeletal disorder and provide lasting relief for their patients.

Below is a demonstration of Cox® Technic.

At Malvern Chiropractic Clinic and Melbourne Spine Clinic, our Chiropractors utilise the latest research and clinical data to benefit our patients. Our Certified Cox® Flexion-Distraction and Spinal Decompression Chiropractors manage all spinal pain conditions using safe, gentle, non-surgical, and doctor-controlled spinal decompression therapy. Cox® Flexion-Distraction is a recognised alternative to spinal surgery for those suffering from torticollis.

REFERENCES

(1)   Gudavalli, MR., Olding, K., Joachim, G., Cox, JM. Chiropractic Distraction Spinal Manipulation on Postsurgical Continued Low Back and Radicular Pain Patients: A Retrospective Case Series. J Chiropractic Med. 2016 Jun; 15(2): 121–128. Published online 2016 May 25. doi: 10.1016/j.jcm.2016.04.004

 

Latest Research and Report Links

Additional information and references are available by clicking coxtechnic.com.

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