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Twisting the neck is a common disease? Do you know what the symptoms of torticollis are?
With the change of lifestyle, more and more people find themselves experiencing neck pain and discomfort, among which torticollis has become the focus of attention. This is a painful condition that causes an abnormal positioning of the head or neck and can be caused by a variety of factors. This article will explore the symptoms, causes, and treatments of torticollis in detail.
Symptoms of torticollis
Torticollis may present as fixed or dynamic tilt, rotation, and abnormal flexion or extension of the head.
Depending on the posture of the head and neck, the types of torticollis can be divided into the following types:
- Lateral neck tilt: head leans toward shoulders
- Rotational torticollis: The head rotates about the shoulder along its longitudinal axis
- Forward neck tilt: The head and neck flex forward, which moves the chin toward the chest
- Backward torticollis: The head and neck are tilted back, causing the back of the head to move toward the back
In addition, torticollis may also be accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Neck pain
- Occasionally a lump forms
- Tightness or swelling of the sternocleidomastoid muscle
- Tenderness of the cervical spine
- Head shaking Uneven shoulder height
- Limited neck movement
Causes of torticollis
A variety of conditions may cause torticollis, including muscle fibrosis, congenital spinal malformations, and toxic or traumatic brain injury.
Torticollis can be mainly divided into two categories: congenital and acquired. Common causes include:
- Congenital torticollis: usually present at birth or after birth.
- Acquired torticollis: caused by muscle spasm, trauma or cervical spine disease.
Diagnosing torticollis
Diagnosing torticollis usually requires a detailed medical history and physical examination. Your doctor will assess your neck's range of motion and may order imaging tests, such as X-rays or an MRI, to rule out other underlying problems. Ultrasound examination can also be used to monitor the condition of muscle tissue.
Treatment of torticollis
The main goal of treating torticollis is to increase the strength and flexibility of the sternocleidomastoid muscle to improve neck mobility.
Common treatments include:
- Physical therapy: Non-invasive treatments to help improve neck muscle tone and flexibility.
- Medication: Pain management is usually with pain medications, or relaxants for muscle spasms.
- Injectable therapies: Such as botulinum toxin injections, which can weaken overactive muscles.
- Surgery: In cases that do not respond to physical therapy or injections, surgery may be done to remove or repair damaged muscle.
Future Outlook
As torticollis is studied more, medical professionals are becoming more aware of the condition. Through a comprehensive treatment plan, patients can expect to achieve early recovery and improve their quality of life. With the advancement of technology, more effective treatments are expected to emerge to help more patients suffering from torticollis.
In this increasingly busy society, how can we properly take care of our neck and neck health to avoid discomfort?
