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Have you ever seen a baby with its head tilted to one side? It may seem harmless at first, but infants with difficulty moving their head typically have a condition called torticollis, also known as wryneck. Even adults can develop torticollis due to certain habits or injuries.
Left untreated, the condition can significantly restrict one’s head and neck movement, causing pain or discomfort. But can a chiropractor fix torticollis? Learn about the chiropractic techniques used to correct abnormal head posture and promote a healthy musculoskeletal system.
Whether you suddenly wake up with a stiff neck or have trouble moving it after a car accident, you may be desperate for relief. Applying heat or ice to the area may help relax the neck muscles, while over-the-counter medication offers temporary pain relief. However, chiropractic care goes a step further.
Instead of just masking the symptoms, practitioners identify the root cause of the pain. They may recommend safe, hands-on treatments like a chiropractic adjustment, or opt for advanced techniques like ultrasound and laser therapy. Consider seeing a chiropractor in Port St. Lucie, FL, if you prefer holistic healing.
Infants born with wryneck have a condition known as congenital neck torticollis. A baby’s position in utero could strain one of the major neck muscles, called the sternocleidomastoid. As a result, the baby could be born with a neck muscle imbalance, which causes its head to tilt to one side.
Older children or adults may also develop torticollis over time. The sternocleidomastoid may become strained due to:
Can a chiropractor fix torticollis? It doesn’t matter if your child is born with wryneck or if you happen to experience it after an accident. A licensed chiropractor may be able to help.
Fixing a wryneck is possible. Chiropractors often take patients through a series of steps to both identify the cause of the problem and treat the symptoms. Check out a chiropractor’s typical approach to treating this condition.
How can a chiropractor fix torticollis in adults? If they were not born with any spinal alignment issues, an underlying injury is likely the cause of the problem. Experts will need to perform a physical exam to assess their musculoskeletal system.
In some cases, practitioners also order X-rays, MRI scans, or other diagnostic tests. This helps them rule out certain injuries and make a proper diagnosis.
Chiropractors carefully address alignment issues in the upper spine that may be contributing to the condition. They’ll perform a gentle adjustment to offer some pain relief and ease stiff muscles.
Some patients experience relief after just one adjustment and don’t need ongoing treatment. Others may need a few treatment sessions to see improvement.
When the neck muscles and surrounding soft tissue become tense or inflamed, chiropractors can intervene. They often use soft tissue therapy to ease tension and help the muscles relax. This, combined with adjustments, could help patients of all ages recover from wryneck.
Chiropractic care often involves stretching the impacted muscles. During your initial treatment, a chiropractor will guide your head and neck through specific movements. As you stretch the affected muscles, you should notice a gradual improvement in your range of motion.
Providers may recommend that patients perform these stretches daily to combat stiffness and increase flexibility.
Let’s say you develop torticollis over time due to poor posture. A chiropractic adjustment and stretching could correct the problem. But to prevent it from recurring, a chiropractor may insist you correct your posture.
They may also give you tips for improving your posture while sitting, standing, and even sleeping. Following those tips will help ensure that the results of your treatment have lasting effects.
Not only can a chiropractor fix torticollis, but chiropractic care is also recommended for treating degenerative disc disease, various sports injuries, and much more. If you’re hoping to correct a musculoskeletal dysfunction, ChiroCare of Florida may be able to help. We’re South Florida’s premier chiropractic clinic with 10 different locations throughout the region.
Our team is happy to assess your spinal health and provide custom treatment plans. To schedule an appointment, give us a call at (772) 279-8048 or submit our online form. Same-day and walk-in appointments may be available.
