Advanced Alternative
Medicine Center


320 Robinson Ave Newburgh, NY 12550

Serving All Your Heath Care Needs ... Naturally!

(845)561-BACK
 (2225)
Dr. Richard A. Huntoon

Newburgh Chiropractor

 

To request an Action Plan to address Torticollis Click Here

Torticollis

Wry neck; Loxia
 
Torticollis is a twisted neck in which the head is tipped to one side, while the chin is turned to the other.
 
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
 
Torticollis may be:
  • Inherited -- due to changes in your genes
  • Acquired -- develops as a result of damage to the nervous system, upper spine, or muscles
If the condition occurs without a known cause, it is called idiopathic torticollis.
 
Torticollis may develop in childhood or adulthood. Congenital torticollis (present at birth) may occur if the baby's head was in the wrong position while growing in the womb, or if the muscles or blood supply to the neck are injured.
 
Symptoms
  • Limited range of motion of the head
  • Headache
  • Head tremor
  • Neck pain
  • Shoulder that is higher on one side of the body
  • Stiffness of the neck muscles
  • Swelling of the neck muscles (possibly present at birth)
Signs and tests
 
Tests or procedures may be done to rule out possible causes of head and neck pain. A physical examination will show:
  • Head tilts toward the affected side while the chin points to the opposite side
  • Shortening of the neck muscles
  • The entire head pulls and turns to one side (in more severe cases)
Tests that may be done include:
  • CT scan of the neck
  • Electromyogram (EMG) to see which muscles are most affected
  • MRI of the brain
Treatment
 
Treating torticollis that is present at birth involves stretching the shortened neck muscle. Working with a Holistic Chiropractor is the best method for doing this and offers you the best chance of a full recovery.  Passive stretching and positioning are used in infants and small children. These are applied between visits to your Holistic Chiropractor.  This form of care is often successful, especially if they are started within 3 months of birth.
 
Surgery to correct the neck muscle may be done in the preschool years, if other treatment methods fail.
 
Torticollis that is caused by damage to the nervous system, spine, or muscles is treated by identifying the cause of the disorder.
  • Applying heat, traction to the cervical spine, and massage may help relieve head and neck pain. This is best done by working with a Holistic Chiropractor.
  • Stretching exercises and neck braces may help with muscle spasms between visits to your Holistic Chiropractor.
  • Medications may be used, including the anticholinergic drug baclofen.  As with any medication, understanding the risks and side-effects of the medication should be considered before starting any medication regime.
  • Injecting botulinum toxin can temporarily relieve torticollis, but repeat injections are usually needed every 3 months.  As with any medication, understanding the risks and side-effects of the medication should be considered before starting any medication regime.
  • Surgery of the spine might be needed when the torticollis is due to dislocated vertebrae. In some cases, surgery involves destroying some of the nerves in the neck muscles, or brain stimulation.
Expectations (prognosis)
 
The condition may be easier to treat in infants and children. If torticollis becomes chronic, numbness and tingling may develop due to pressure on the nerve roots in the neck.  Working with a Holistic Chiropractor can prevent this outcome from occurring. 
 
The muscle itself may become large (hypertrophic) due to constant stimulation and exercise.
 
Complications
 
Complications if not treated may include:
  • Muscle swelling due to constant tension
  • Nervous system symptoms due to pressure on nerve roots
Calling your health care provider
 
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms do not improve with treatment, or if new symptoms develop.
 
Torticollis that occurs after an injury would require a visit to your Holistic Chiropractor.  Torticollis that occurs with illness may be serious. Seek immediate medical help if this occurs.
 
Prevention
 
While there is no known way to prevent this condition, early treatment may prevent it from getting worse.  Working with your Holistic Chiropractor is the best way to treat this condition and is the best way for full recovery and a normal life.
 
References
  1. Spiegel DA, Hosalkar HS, Dormans JP, Drommond DS. The neck. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap. 679.
  2. Persing J. Prevention and management of positional skull deformities in infants. American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Practice and Ambulatory Medicine, Section on Plastic Surgery and Section on Neurological Surgery. Pediatrics. 2003;112:199-202.
  3. Patel M, Shah K. Orthopedics. In: Rakel RE, ed. Textbook of Family Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 42.
To request an Action Plan to address Torticollis Click Here

Dr. Huntoon has a single mission:

To support as many people as possible in their quest for health and enable them to improve and maintain their health to the highest level possible, while educating them about the benefits of Chiropractic, Natural Healthcare and Holistic Living, so they in turn can teach others to support us having a healthy community.

Your Choice

Health concerns are a major source of lost happiness and lost joy in all of our lives. Finding a solution that is agreeable and enables you to get back to your life is important. Please appreciate that you always have the more invasive surgery and prescription medication available to you as a last resort. What many Traditional Medical Doctors may not share is, many times, once you begin that journey into medication and/or surgery, it alters your original body from the one that you were born with. Unfortunately, at that time, more conservative and natural treatments may no longer be viable. I encourage you to consider that before making any decisions about treatment for your health. As always I am here to help. 
 
Your Choice:
 
  • Continue doing the same thing and nothing changes or it may get worse

OR

  • Try something different and get a different result that makes you happier and healthier.
 
The Choice is Yours
 
Please call Dr. Huntoon at 845-561-BACK (2225) to discuss your options or click on our E-Visit to do it via e-mail. 
 
Thank You for your consideration.

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