Torticollis: what it is, symptoms, causes and treatment
Table of contents
Waking up with a stiff neck, feeling intense pain, and not being able to move your head to the side - has this ever happened to you? This problem, also called torticollis, is very common.
What is torticollis?
Torticollis is an involuntary contraction of the neck muscles, caused by a muscle spasm in the region.
Thus, torticollis hinders the blood supply to the neck, leading to intense pain. In addition, it is so disabling that it prevents the neck from moving.
Read also: Muscle spasms: what they are what causes them
Types of torticollis
- Acute It usually lasts a few hours or disappears with the use of ointments, gels, or compresses;
- Spasmodic occurs suddenly and is caused by sudden movements;
- Congenital This is a rarer type, caused by the position of the child during birth.
Symptoms
In addition, of course, to neck pain, torticollis includes other symptoms, so check out the main ones:
- Pain in the side of the neck;
- Difficulty moving your head;
- Back pain;
- Rigidity;
- Headache;
- One shoulder higher than the other;
- Head tremors.
Causes
In general, torticollis can arise for several reasons, but stress and other emotional tensions are the main reasons for the development of the problem, because when we are stressed, for example, the neck muscles become more rigid.
Torticollis can also occur due to other factors, such as:
- Trauma;
- Infections of the respiratory system;
- Congenital problems;
- Medications.
Treatment
Although most of the time it gets better in less than 24 hours, torticollis can last up to five days. But if this happens, the ideal is to seek medical evaluation to assess the causes and have the proper treatment.
To treat the pain, alternatives may be recommended, such as massages with ointment or gel, compresses with warm water and medicines.
How to avoid
The most important tip to avoid torticollis and other back problems is to adopt good posture.
So if you are working from home, remember to take breaks to stand up. Stretching is also a must to prevent muscle injuries.
Reference
viva SP Institute
