At a glance
What it is
Involuntary contractions of the neck muscles that cause the head to twist or tilt. A rare neurological disorder most common in middle-aged women.
Symptoms
Head twisted chin-to-shoulder or ear-to-shoulder; neck pain radiating to the shoulders; headaches. Severity plateaus rather than progressively worsening.
Approach
No cure. Botox injections into affected muscles are the most effective treatment. rTMS, physiotherapy, and radiofrequency support long-term management.
What spasmodic torticollis is
Cervical dystonia — also called spasmodic torticollis — is a painful condition in which neck muscles contract involuntarily, causing the head to twist or turn to one side, or to tilt forward or backward uncontrollably.
It is a rare disorder that can occur at any age, but most often begins in middle-aged people and affects women more than men. Symptoms generally develop gradually and then plateau rather than continuously worsen.
**Directions of abnormal head posture:** - Chin pulled toward the shoulder (most common) - Ear tilted toward the shoulder - Chin tilted upward - Chin tilted downward
Some people experience combinations of postures, along with a jerking head motion. Neck pain radiating into the shoulders is common, as are headaches. In some patients, pain is exhausting and disabling.
**Causes:** In most cases the cause is unknown. A family history of the disorder is sometimes present, and gene mutations associated with cervical dystonia have been identified. Head, neck, or shoulder injuries are also linked to onset.
Treatment options at Alimran Medical Center
First-line treatment
Injection therapies
- Trigger point injections
- Epidural steroid injections
- Ozone injection
- Prolotherapy
Advanced therapies
Physiotherapy & rehabilitation
- Electrical stimulation
- Short and long wave therapy
- Laser therapy
- Ultrasound therapy
- Magnetic therapy
- Therapeutic exercises
- SpineMED® system
- Sigma
Book a consultation
The secretary schedules first appointments during clinic hours; please have prior imaging, operative notes and a current medication list available at the time of the call.
This page provides general information about spasmodic torticollis (cervical dystonia) and is not a substitute for individual medical assessment. If your symptoms are severe or worsening, contact a clinician promptly.