Torticollis, also known as wryneck, is a condition characterized by the involuntary contraction or shortening of the neck muscles, resulting in the head tilting to one side or the other. While this condition can occur at any age, it is particularly prevalent in infants, and if left untreated, it can cause discomfort and restrict movement. In this blog post, we’ll explore the causes of torticollis, common symptoms, and the role of chiropractic care in finding relief.

Causes of Torticollis

Torticollis can be classified into two main types — congenital and acquired — based on its underlying cause.

Congenital Torticollis

If a baby’s position in the uterus is abnormal, or if they experience trauma during delivery, they may have congenital torticollis. This type typically affects the sternocleidomastoid muscle, which attaches to the back of the ear and the collarbone. When this muscle is tightened or shortened, it can lead to a tilted head. It may not be noticeable until the baby is a few weeks old or begins to gain greater control of their head.

Acquired Torticollis

Acquired torticollis can occur at any point after birth. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including injury, inflammation, muscle spasms, or prolonged poor posture. In certain cases, underlying medical conditions such as tumors or infections may also be contributing factors. This type is the less common of the two and may either be benign or a sign or a more serious issue.

Torticollis Symptoms

While the primary symptom of torticollis is a visibly tilted head, it may be accompanied by:

• Chin tilted to one side
• Limited head and neck movement
• One shoulder is higher than the other
• Neck muscle stiffness or tightness
• Swollen neck muscles
• Asymmetrical facial features
• Small lump in the neck muscle
• Neck pain
• Head tremors
• Headaches

These symptoms can vary in severity, potentially impacting an individual’s quality of life and affecting their ability to participate in activities they enjoy and perform their daily tasks. Fortunately, there is hope in the form of chiropractic care.

Treatment Through Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care offers a non-invasive, holistic approach to managing both congenital and acquired torticollis. This treatment focuses on addressing underlying causes in order to restore proper alignment and function to the spine and surrounding muscles. Here’s how chiropractors can help individuals of all ages find relief from torticollis:

Comprehensive Assessment

Before beginning treatment, the chiropractor conducts a thorough evaluation to assess the patient’s posture, range of motion, and muscle strength. They may also utilize orthopedic and neurological tests, along with imaging tools like X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs, to determine the extent of the condition and rule out any underlying medical issues.

Spinal Adjustments

By performing gentle spinal adjustments, chiropractors aim to realign the vertebrae in the cervical spine, relieving pressure on the affected muscles and nerves. This can help alleviate stiffness and pain while improving neck mobility.

Pediatric Care

Chiropractors can treat individuals of all ages, including infants. When it comes to treating their youngest patients, chiropractors take an extraordinarily gentle approach without the cracks and pops associated with standard chiropractic adjustments. To learn more about chiropractic care for infants, check out our previous blog on the topic, Exploring the Surprising Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Infants. 

Soft Tissue Therapy

Chiropractic care isn’t just concerned with the skeletal system; chiropractors’ expertise extends to soft tissues, as well. They may incorporate techniques such as massage, stretching, or myofascial release to relax tense muscles and promote healing. Targeted treatment aimed at the sternocleidomastoid muscle can be particularly beneficial for those with congenital torticollis.

Postural Education and Home Care Strategies

To prevent torticollis symptoms from worsening, chiropractors educate patients about proper posture and ergonomics. They may also recommend personalized home care strategies to complement in-office treatment and facilitate long-term recovery. This may involve exercises to strengthen the muscles supporting the neck and spine, stretches, self-care techniques, and ergonomic modifications at work or home.

Comprehensive Chiropractic Care at Elevate Wellness

Torticollis can be difficult to manage, but with proper care and attention, individuals can experience significant symptom improvement and regain neck and spine function. 

If you or your child are experiencing the challenges of torticollis, consider chiropractic care from the experts at Elevate Wellness. We can address the underlying causes of this condition with targeted therapies to restore optimal health and improve your quality of life. 

Contact Elevate Wellness Chiropractic to schedule an appointment with one of our highly experienced team members. Your journey to a pain-free neck starts today!

The term “inflammation” certainly comes with negative connotations, but in reality, it’s your body’s natural and necessary response to injury or infection. At Elevate Wellness Chiropractic, we are dedicated to supporting your body’s complex healing processes and ensuring inflammation doesn’t decrease your quality of life. Keep reading to learn the basics of your body’s inflammatory response, treatment options, prevention strategies, and the role of chiropractic care.

The Basics of Inflammation

Inflammation, at its core, is your body’s defense mechanism. When tissues are damaged, whether through injury, illness, or other trauma, the body initiates a complex response designed to heal and protect the wounded area. This process involves releasing various chemicals and immune cells that eliminate pathogens, clear away damaged cells, and initiate tissue repair. Symptoms include pain, tenderness, swelling, heat, and flushed skin at the site of the injury. 

Excessive or chronic inflammation occurs when the body sends inflammatory cells even when there’s no outside danger. Over time, this condition can cause severe damage and contribute to various health issues.

Conditions associated with chronic inflammation include Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, mental health conditions, neurogenerative conditions, cardiovascular diseases, and gastrointestinal conditions. Autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus are especially inflammatory, causing the immune system to mistakenly attack healthy tissues. Chronic inflammation can also be caused by a sedentary lifestyle, inadequate sleep, unhealthy diet, poor posture, and excessive stress. 

Finding Relief

Relief can come in many different forms. For acute inflammation, getting plenty of rest, intermittently applying ice to the area, and taking proper care of the wounds are usually enough to relieve discomfort after a few days. 

Chronic inflammation is more challenging to treat. Supplements such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, and fish oil have anti-inflammatory properties, along with foods like tomatoes, nuts, leafy green vegetables, olive oil, fatty fish, and fruit. Avoid foods known to be inflammatory, including refined carbs, processed meats, fried foods, sweetened beverages, and lard.

Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen can reduce inflammation throughout the body. Corticosteroid shots provide targeted relief in specific areas; however, you shouldn’t have more than four steroid injections in the same part of your body within a year.

The Role of Chiropractic Care 

As an alternative to medication or injections, many people turn to chiropractic care to treat chronic inflammation. As holistic healthcare practitioners, chiropractors can support your body’s healing processes and help you achieve enhanced wellness through targeted spinal adjustments, expert lifestyle guidance, massage therapy, and nutritional support.

Spinal Adjustments

The basis of chiropractic care is spinal adjustments, which aim to correct misalignments in the musculoskeletal system. This promotes proper nerve function and allows the different parts of your body to communicate effectively with each other. By reducing interference in the nervous system, chiropractic care can help alleviate inflammation associated with nerve irritation.

Massage Therapy

In addition to spinal adjustments, many chiropractors utilize massage therapy to reduce tension in the muscles, improve blood circulation, and further support the body’s natural healing processes. In turn, this soft tissue manipulation can contribute to the reduction of inflammation in affected areas.

Lifestyle Guidance

Chiropractors play a crucial role in educating patients about lifestyle choices that may be contributing to their inflammation. To empower you to take control of your health, your chiropractor can provide guidance on stress management, nutrition, proper ergonomics, and stress management.

Nutritional Support

An essential component of lifestyle guidance is nutritional support. Your chiropractor can recommend specific dietary changes to complement chiropractic care and reduce inflammation. Turmeric, ginger, and omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to be especially effective anti-inflammatory agents.

Preventative Strategies

When it comes to managing inflammation, prevention is one of the most effective strategies. To address potential issues before they have a chance to escalate and prevent chronic issues, it’s important to visit your chiropractor for regular check-ups, even when you’re not currently experiencing pain. 

It’s also important to ensure proper ergonomics, both at work and at home. Simple adjustments to your workstation setup and daily habits can make a significant difference in your overall spinal health and inflammation response by preventing postural issues. 

Find Relief at Elevate Wellness Chiropractic

Your body’s healing process is multifaceted and complex. At Elevate Wellness Chiropractic, our role goes beyond addressing pain and inflammation; it extends to helping our patients obtain optimal overall health. To take the first steps toward achieving your health goals, contact us or schedule an appointment today.