Torticollis is nothing more than a muscle contraction located in the neck area, which causes pain and even inability for the affected person to move. The etiology of this condition has different branches, but the most common is hyperextension of the muscle, which is nothing more than when it breaks, it creates a hematoma that, upon healing, shortens the muscle.
This condition causes that while the head is towards one shoulder, the chin points to another, causing intense pain to the individual who has it when he seeks to turn to the opposite side. Torticollis can affect both children and older people who do not have any type of disorder (sex, age). However, when the baby is born with this condition it is because it was in a bad position in the mother's uterus while it was developing, causing an injury to the muscles of the neonate's neck.
The causes of torticollis can be diverse but the most outstanding are:
- Hereditary, that is, they come from genetics.
- Due to a result of a muscle injury, which is caused by a bad position or sudden movements.
The most common symptoms of torticollis are neck pain, limited movement in areas such as the neck and the muscles in that area (sternocleidomastoid), also an abnormal posture of the head.
The way to diagnose torticollis is with a simple physical exam, which will reveal poor head posture and muscle stiffness.
To prevent this pathology, it is advisable not to make sudden movements or acquire bad posture. For this, it is necessary not to use so many pillows and not to sleep with the neck so high.
Using relaxation techniques and stretching in the vertical zone will prevent this type of discomfort from happening.
