TorticollisThe neck has gone awry!
The term used in the past to describe this painful condition of the cervical spine was wry neck. The neck has gone a-wry. Yes, and it most certainly has! Those who have ever suffered from this condition can most certainly remember the pain. It is commonly thought to be a muscular condition. Most dictionaries today describe it as "a contracted state of the cervical muscles, producing twisting of the neck, and an unnatural position of the head."
At one time, the medical authorities were so convinced that muscles were the cause of this problem, that they would surgically shorten the muscle on one side of the neck to attempt to again make the neck straight.
Today, chiropractic science has determined that torticollis is not a muscular problem. It is simply a condition in which a vertebra has become misaligned in the neck. This coincides with a change in position of the center of the disc and the vertebra becomes 'locked'. This 'locking' is called a "disc block subluxation" by doctors of chiropractic.
The malposition of the center of the disc (nucleus) prevents the vertebra from returning to its normal position. Thus, the neck is bent in a tortuous position. It can be locked to one side, bent forward, or even both. The patient is unable to move the neck out of this painful position. The muscles of the neck respond to this by becoming taut, sore and strained.
Today medical authorities are finally realizing that chiropractic science is correct in regards to torticollis and that the muscular problem is secondary to the vertebral subluxation.
To say the least, torticollis is a very painful condition. Due to the subluxation (misalignment) of the vertebra, the spine is unable to resume a normal position and the resulting muscle tension and strain on the ligaments and tendons is severe. It is to no avail to treat the muscles until the vertebra has been adjusted back into the normal position by a doctor of chiropractic. The correction of this malposition can be instantaneous or it may require a series of spinal adjustments. It all depends on the severity of the condition, the length of time the patient has had torticollis, the age of the patient, the frequency of this condition and the extent of damage that the ligaments and discs have sustained.
Torticollis is a condition that responds well to chiropractic care. Talk to your chiropractor today if you or someone you care about suffers from this painful condition.
To purchase Dr. Barge's book on Torticollis follow this link. 
