Expert: Gerald Anzalone, D.C. - 9/3/2010

Question
Hello!
My 6 year old daughter woke up 2 days ago crying with a very stiff neck and severe pain which is also causing difficulty moving/turning her head. She is not running any fever and does not have signs of other disconforts. I'm very corcerned because one of her shoulders seems lower than the other and I'm afraid that she stays that way. Can a chiropractor assist with this problem?
Thank you in advance for your response and time.  

Answer
Thanks for your question.

Torticollis (from the Latin torti, meaning twisted and collis, meaning neck) manifests as involuntary contractions of the neck muscles. Most cases of torticollis resolve spontaneously. It is also called cervical dystonia.

Treatment of torticollis is generally supportive and includes heat, massage, and stretching exercises. A chiropractor who is experienced in using soft tissue techniques such as trigger point therapy/ Nimmo technique, myofascial release, active release, or Activator technique (an instrument used to provide a gentle manipulation) may be helpful, or a massage therapist would also be an excellent option.

If your child has any difficulty breathing, you should go to the ER immediately.

If the torticollis does not resolve after a few sessions of manual therapy, you should see a pediatrician immediately to ascertain if the underlying problem is non-musculoskeletal.

I hope that this helps to answer your question.