Most information you’ll find about torticollis is focused on newborns. Sometimes called wry neck or cervical dystonia, it’s a condition where the neck becomes stiff and frozen in one position. In adults, neck pain and muscle spasms in the neck are also common. The vast majority of people with torticollis were born with it because of a genetic condition or their position in the uterus. However, children and adults can develop torticollis or conditions that look like it after infancy. 

Oftentimes, the specific cause of torticollis in adults is unknown. It can arise after an injury to the neck or nervous system or a viral infection. Any condition that causes swelling or inflammation in the neck can cause an adult to develop torticollis. In rare cases, it can be caused by a brain tumor.

In this article, we’ll discuss what torticollis looks like in adults and how physical therapy can help.

What are the symptoms of torticollis in adults?

Like newborns with torticollis, adults who have this condition may experience stiffness in the neck that freezes it in one position. It can be painful or cause inflammation, tingling or numbness in the neck and spine. A person’s head or shoulders may also be affected. They may have headaches, or their chin or shoulders may be stuck in an awkward position. If it progresses, adult torticollis can cause vision changes or problems walking or balancing. The strain on the neck muscles and compensation from other parts of the body can be exhausting.

In a variation called spasmodic torticollis or cervical dystonia, the neck muscles contract involuntarily, causing the head to twist, turn, or tilt in one direction. Sometimes nearby muscles in the face, jaw, arms or trunk will also move involuntarily. 

9 common symptoms of torticollis in adults

Torticollis can be a chronic condition that affects daily activities like household chores, going to work, and driving. If any nerves in the neck and upper spine are compressed, you may experience neurological symptoms. The pain and involuntary movements can make it hard to socialize, leading to self-isolation. Adults with torticollis may also struggle with depression. 

Torticollis in adults can sometimes resolve on its own, but some people will have chronic/persistent symptoms, even with treatment. There is hope for adults with acquired torticollis. Physical therapy can help people with this condition improve or manage their symptoms for a better quality of life. 

Adults with torticollis may experience the following symptoms:

• Head tilting in one direction — The most outwardly noticeable symptom of torticollis is tilting or twisting of the neck and head in one direction. The neck may be twisted to the left or the right, or the head may be tilted upward or downward. It may be hard or impossible to move the neck and head out of this position without treatment.
• Spasms or tremors of the neck muscles — In some variations of torticollis, adults may experience twitching, spasms or shaking in the muscles of their neck or their head. This is known as spasmodic torticollis or cervical dystonia.
• Pain, inflammation or swelling in the neck or spine — In adults, the ongoing contraction or spasming of neck muscles may be painful. Depending on what’s causing torticollis, people with this condition may experience inflammation or swelling. 
• Numbness or tingling in the neck — Numbness and tingling can be a result of nerve compression in the neck and spine. This happens over time in cases of torticollis that are ongoing or untreated.
• Awkward position of the chin or shoulders — The neck is structurally attached to the head, the shoulders and the rest of the spine, so these other parts of the body can be affected by torticollis in adults. One shoulder may appear higher than the other, or the chin may point upward or to the side.
• Headaches — Muscle contraction and inflammation in the neck can cause tension headaches and migraines. People with torticollis may be sensitive to light or loud noises.
• Vision changes — Torticollis may cause vision changes due to nerve compression, or it may be caused by vision problems like strabismus or nystagmus. Sometimes people will involuntarily tilt their head in order to see more clearly. This is known as ocular torticollis.
• Problems with balance and gait — Stiff muscles in the neck can cause other parts of the body to compensate in order to create balance. This can affect the way a person walks, or their gait. Certain nerves in the head and neck help us with proprioception, which is the physical sense of how the body is positioned. When these nerves are irritated or compressed, it can bring out other symptoms that affect one’s ability to walk, such as vertigo. 
• Fatigue — Whether it’s voluntary or not, muscle contraction takes up energy. It also takes a lot of energy to resist the imbalances caused by tight, stiff muscles. Adults with torticollis may find themselves feeling more exhausted when their symptoms are most intense.

How can physical therapy help adults with torticollis?

Treatment begins with an in-depth assessment. The PT will ask questions about your medical history and the progression of symptoms, and then they’ll do some physical tests. For adults with torticollis, a physical therapist can create an individualized treatment plan that combines different treatments to mobilize the neck and relieve pain and muscle spasms. They can also advise you on things you can do at home to alleviate your symptoms, like applying heat and adjusting daily activities.

Physical therapy treatments for torticollis may include the following components:

• Therapeutic stretching and exercises — Gentle movement and stretching can help you increase your neck’s range of motion and maintain it between sessions. 
• Cervical traction — This is a type of spinal decompression that involves gentle pulling on the head to relieve tension in the neck and spine. Your physical therapist may use their hands or a traction device.
• Manual therapy — Manual therapy is a hands-on treatment method in which the PT uses massage-like movements to release points of stiffness in the neck, head and shoulders.
• Neck brace — Wearing a brace for part of the day or night may help reduce your torticollis symptoms. Your PT can advise you on the type of brace you should use and when and how you should use it.

Find relief from torticollis at Lattimore PT

Having torticollis as an adult can affect both your personal life and your work. It can make household tasks like cleaning and cooking more difficult, and it can make social situations uncomfortable. In many cases, conservative and natural physical therapy treatments help people with torticollis improve their range of motion and reduce their pain. Even if you’ve been told that there’s no “cure” for your torticollis, physical therapy may help make your symptoms more manageable. 

Treatments involving sensitive areas like the head and neck require precision and care. At Lattimore PT, many of our physical therapists have a Certification in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy (COMT). This means they have special expertise in assessing musculoskeletal conditions like torticollis and creating effective treatment plans for individual patients.

Our PTs provide treatments that support a higher quality of life for people with both temporary and chronic conditions. Patient education is an important part of what we do. We want to help you understand what’s happening in your body so you can feel good about your treatment decisions. 

Are you ready to try something different for your torticollis? Find out if physical therapy is right for you. Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.