Wry neck
Wry neck, also known as torticollis, is a painful condition characterised by stiffness and limited neck movement. It often occurs suddenly and can make it difficult to turn your head in one direction. While it can be uncomfortable, wry neck is usually a temporary condition that responds well to treatment.
To effectively address wry neck, it's essential to understand the different types.
Facet Joint Wry Neck:
This occurs when the small joints between your vertebrae (facet joints) become inflamed or irritated. It often leads to sharp, localised pain. Symptoms may include:
- Sudden onset of neck pain
- Limited neck movement, especially in one direction
- Tenderness in the affected area
Discogenic Wry Neck:
This type arises from issues with the intervertebral discs, the cushions between your vertebrae. It can cause a dull, aching pain that may radiate to your shoulder or arm. Symptoms may include:
- Gradual onset of neck pain
- Stiffness and reduced range of motion
- Pain that worsens with movement
Common Causes of Wry Neck
Several factors can contribute to the development of wry neck:
- Poor Posture: Spending extended periods hunched over a computer or smartphone can strain neck muscles and lead to misalignment.
- Sleeping Position: Sleeping on an uncomfortable pillow or in an awkward position can put undue stress on the neck.
- Muscle Strain: Overexerting neck muscles through physical activity or sudden movements can cause inflammation.
- Whiplash: A sudden jolt to the head and neck, such as in a car accident, can result in neck muscle and ligament damage.
- Degenerative Changes: Age-related wear and tear on the cervical spine can contribute to wry neck.
- Infections: In some cases, viral or bacterial infections can cause neck stiffness and pain.
The Role of Physiotherapy in Wry Neck Treatment
Physiotherapy is an effective treatment for wry neck, offering a range of benefits:
- Pain Relief: Physiotherapists use various techniques, such as massage, heat therapy, and ultrasound, to reduce pain and inflammation.
- Improved Range of Motion: Gentle stretching and mobilisation exercises help restore normal neck movement.
- Posture Correction: Physiotherapists can assess your posture and provide guidance on improving it to prevent future episodes.
- Muscle Strengthening: Exercises designed to strengthen the neck and shoulder muscles help support the cervical spine.
- Education and Prevention: Physiotherapists can teach you about proper posture, ergonomics, and self-care strategies to manage symptoms and prevent recurrence.
Hands on treatment for neck stiffness
Manual therapy is a cornerstone of wry neck treatment. It involves skilled hands-on techniques to treat the musculoskeletal system. When applied to wry neck, it can be instrumental in restoring range of motion, reducing pain, and promoting overall neck health.
Here are some common manual therapy techniques and how they are helpful in the management of neck pain and stiffness.
- Joint Mobilisation: This technique involves gentle movements to the neck joints, helping to restore normal movement and reduce stiffness. By improving joint mobility, manual therapists can effectively address the restricted range of motion often experienced with wry neck.
- Soft Tissue Massage: This involves applying pressure to tight and tender muscles, helping to release muscle tension and improve blood flow. By reducing muscle stiffness, soft tissue massage can enhance neck flexibility and range of motion.
- Muscle Energy Techniques: These techniques involve using gentle pressure and patient contraction to improve joint mobility and muscle flexibility. They can be particularly effective in addressing joint restrictions and muscle imbalances associated with wry neck.
Beyond restoring range of motion, manual therapy offers several benefits for managing wry neck:
- Pain Relief: Many manual therapy techniques, such as soft tissue massage and trigger point therapy, can effectively reduce pain associated with wry neck by releasing muscle tension and improving blood flow.
- Posture Correction: Manual therapists can assess your posture and identify any imbalances that may contribute to wry neck. Through hands-on techniques and exercises, they can help correct postural issues and reduce strain on the neck.
- Education and Prevention: Your physiotherapist can provide valuable education on proper posture, ergonomics, and self-care strategies to help prevent future episodes of wry neck.
It's important to note that manual therapy is often combined with other treatment modalities, such as exercise, heat or cold therapy, and patient education, to achieve optimal results.
Wry neck can be a bothersome condition, but it is very treatable. If you're experiencing persistent neck pain, don't put up with it any longer, we can help you.
