Wry Neck – a pain in the neck – literally!

“WRY NECK” OR TORTICOLLIS 

I’m not sure if there’s something in the water, but I’m seeing so many patients with this injury lately!

This nasty neck injury can come on very quickly. It can come on in a matter of minutes and mean that you can no longer turn your head to one side. 

Most people report that they “wake up with it” and simply can’t turn their head. Or they’re in the middle of doing something, go to turn their head, feel a pull and then their neck has seized up.  It can sometimes come on over a matter of days though if it’s slower acting. It’s often felt more on one side of the neck, but can spread to both sides too. 

This injury often results in a massive spasm of all the spinal and paraspinal soft tissues and muscles that centre around the neck area. It results in a high amount of localised pain, inflammation and restricted movement. 

To free your neck up again, soft tissue therapy can work to reduce the spasm, calm down the inflammation and get a rapid increase in the range of movement in your neck. We then will probably also need to look at preventative factors to make sure it doesn’t happen again. 

There’s then specific exercises and protocols that you’ll need to do in the days following to ensure you continue to get better and get back to looking over your shoulder freely! Say hello again to your blindspot! 

If you, or someone you know is experiencing a wry neck, you can phone me on 0478 437 368  or make an appointment online here.

Feel free also to get in touch me if you’d like to chat about anything before booking in an OT session.