Have you woken up with a sharp pain in your neck, accompanied by a limited range of movement or even a sensation of being unable to move? If so, you may be experiencing a condition commonly known as wry neck or torticollis.
What is Wry Neck?
Wry neck, medically known as torticollis, is a condition where the muscles and joints in the neck become stiff, causing a noticeable restriction in movement. It can present as a sharp pain, limited mobility, and sometimes a crooked head position due to the neck tilting. It is a pretty common condition, with the majority of people dealing with a wry neck at some point in their life.
An acute wry neck often results from the facet joints in the neck, which are small knuckle-like structures where movement occurs, becoming jammed or stiff. Alternatively, irritation and inflammation of the discs between the vertebrae can also trigger the condition. This causes the neck muscles to tighten up as a protective mechanism, leading to muscle spasms, which is one of the key reasons for the restricted movement.
Common Symptoms of Wry Neck
Recognizing the symptoms of wry neck is generally straightforward due to the distinctive signs experienced, with the most common being:
- Pain
The pain is typically felt on only one side of the neck, often described as sharp and specific. It may worsen with movement, but it generally doesn’t radiate down the shoulder.
- Loss of Movement
A common symptom of wry neck is a noticeable reduction in the range of motion. This is typically more pronounced on one side of the neck and can feel like your neck is ‘locked’ in place.
- Muscle Spasm
You may experience tightness and spasms in the muscles surrounding the affected area of your neck. These spasms are the body’s way of protecting the injury.
Why Did Wry Neck Happen?
If you’re wondering why you developed wry neck, it’s important to understand that in many cases, there may not be a clear cause. This is known as idiopathic torticollis, meaning it can occur without any obvious reason. However, several factors may increase your risk of developing the condition, including:
- Trauma or Injury
Any direct injury to the neck, such as whiplash from a car accident, or a sudden twist can trigger wry neck.
- Poor Sleep Posture
Sleeping in an awkward position for an extended period can strain the neck muscles and joints, leading to pain and stiffness when you wake.
- Inflammation
Inflammation in the neck’s joints or soft tissues can lead to pain along with reduced mobility.
- Weak Neck Muscles
Weakness in the deep neck muscles can make it more difficult to support the head and prevent injury to the neck, contributing to the development of wry neck.
How Can a Physiotherapist Help with Wry Neck?
Thankfully, there’s a lot that a physiotherapist can do to help reduce the pain and improve your range of motion. If you’re dealing with a wry neck, the experienced team at Melbourne Sports Physiotherapy in St Kilda, Essendon, Blackburn or Malvern East will take care of you.
They have spinal experts in their team who will first assess your condition to rule out more serious issues and confirm that wry neck is the cause of your discomfort.
Once diagnosed, your physiotherapist will use several treatment techniques to ease your pain and restore movement to your neck. These may include:
- Manual Therapy
This includes joint mobilisations, where your physiotherapist gently moves the joints to improve flexibility and reduce pain.
- Soft Tissue Massage
Effective for relieving muscle tension and spasms, massage therapy can help relax the neck muscles and reduce discomfort in the area.
- Exercise and Stretches
Specific exercises and stretches will help to gradually improve mobility and reduce stiffness, increasing the range of motion in your neck.
- Advice and Education
Your physiotherapist will guide you on posture correction, ergonomic advice and any lifestyle changes that may be relevant, to prevent future episodes.
Managing Wry Neck at Home
While physiotherapy plays a crucial role in recovery of wry neck, there are several self-care strategies you can try at home to alleviate your symptoms.
- Heat Therapy
Applying a warm compress or heat pack to the neck can help soothe sore muscles and improve blood circulation.
- Gentle Stretches
Start with very gentle neck stretches, focusing on small, controlled movements to avoid aggravating the condition. Your physio will be able to advise on the most suitable and effective stretches
- Self-Massage
Light massage around the neck and shoulders can help relieve some of the tightness and improve circulation to the affected area.
- Avoiding Aggravating Positions
Stay mindful of your posture and avoid positions that exacerbate the pain, such as slouching or looking down for long periods.
How Long Does It Take to Recover from Wry Neck?
Most cases of acute wry neck improve significantly within the first few days. Early physiotherapy treatment can help accelerate your recovery by reducing pain and restoring movement. Over the following few weeks, while you may experience some residual discomfort, you should begin to feel better and regain full function of your neck.
In some cases, minor limitations may persist for a couple of weeks, but with the right care, ongoing symptoms should be minimal. If you’re still struggling with pain or limited movement after a few weeks, it’s important to follow up with your physiotherapist for further guidance and treatment.
Seeking Professional Help
If you suspect you’re dealing with an acute wry neck or torticollis, it’s wise to consult a physiotherapist to evaluate your condition and guide you on the most effective treatment plan to reduce pain and restore mobility.
Experiencing neck pain and limited movement can be incredibly frustrating and impact your daily activities, but with the right treatment and self-care, you can recover and prevent future issues.
If you’re in Melbourne and struggling with wry neck, don’t hesitate to reach out to a physiotherapist at Melbourne Sports Physiotherapy so they can help with a speedy recovery, help you understand the root cause and prevent the issue from becoming a chronic problem. Call to discuss your concerns or book an appointment online.
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