Torticollis comes in three types: acute spasmodic and congenital. Acute frequently appears after a minor traffic accident or an attack of rheumatism causing inflammation. Generally it appears in the morning on awakening or suddenly following a strenuous exertion that contracts the neck muscles. Spasmodic sufferers are subject to involuntary contractions of the neck muscles, causing irrepressible rotation and tilting motions. Congenital is mainly observed in children between two and six.

Failure to treat torticollis properly can cause headaches or breathing problems, affect balance or lead to arthritis and other problems. It can also cause permanent modifications to the vertebral column at the neck level and surrounding muscles.

Signals to watch for: (3 or more, see the chiropractor)

• Do you feel a need to move your head to relieve neck tension?
• Neck hurts when you get up in the morning.
• Headaches that seem to originate in the nape of your neck.
• More than two episodes of neck pain in the past year?
• Do you have trouble turning your head?
• Do you have trouble finding a comfortable position on your pillow?
• Trouble turning your head when backing up the car.
• Had neck pain following an accident in which your head was suddenly thrown forward and/or backward?
• CHILDREN: Does your child often tilt his or her head to the side?
• CHILDREN: Does your child always sleep with his or her head turned to the same side?