Article by Francis Galineri

Torticollis

Updated on 7 March 2025.

The “famous” torticollis is, or has been, a source of pain for many of us.

In most cases, this trauma is caused by a contraction of the neck’s largest muscle, the sternocleidomastoid. It usually appears as soon as you wake up in the morning, and can therefore have a detrimental effect on your day.

Let’s take a look at its causes, symptoms and possible remedies…

Causes

The main cause of torticollis is a sudden movement of the head, often involuntary, such as during restless sleep or a fall. Another cause, for people with a cold, is a chill. And finally, poor posture, whether during the day or in bed, can also cause torticollis.

Symptoms

The main symptom is pain, the intensity of which varies according to the severity of the trauma.

A muscle spasm may occur, forcing you to change the position of your head to avoid the pain. The pain often starts in the morning, but can just as easily occur at any time of day, without warning.

Torticollis causes inability to move the head, and in addition to the pain, it can undermine your morale. In fact, it’s never very pleasant to feel as though a needle is piercing your neck on a daily basis, let alone as soon as you wake up in the morning.

And if it’s not treated properly and persists, torticollis can eventually lead to certain postural deformities.

Soothing

There are many ways to relieve and prevent torticollis:

avoid the cold by covering up well with a scarf or turtleneck;
Take a hot bath to relax your muscles.
apply “heat” to the painful area ;
pay attention to your posture, stand up straight ;
adapt a good work posture ;
apply an anti-inflammatory ;
practise wide neck rotation exercises;
remember to take breaks at work, so that you can move your neck;
use firm bedding and a suitable cushion ;
do yoga or relaxation ;
massage with essential oils, osteopathy and homeopathic treatment can also be helpful.