What Is Torticollis? Dr. Pat Explains Neck Pain and Misalignment

Ever Wake Up With Your Neck “Stuck”?

You turn to look over your shoulder—and your neck just won’t move. Or maybe you woke up with your head tilted to one side and thought, Did I sleep wrong?

That’s not just a kink in your neck. You may be dealing with torticollis—a condition that causes the neck to twist or tilt, often from muscle tension or poor alignment. It sounds serious, but in many cases, it’s very treatable.

At Walsh Chiropractic and Physical Therapy of Hagerstown, we see this all the time—especially when sleep posture, stress, or tech neck start to take a toll. Let’s unpack what’s really going on, and more importantly, how to fix it naturally.

What Is Torticollis?

A Simple Definition

Torticollis is a condition where the neck twists, tilts, or becomes stiff, often causing the head to pull to one side.

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So, a couple of common things with sleep positions, sleep supports, and aches and pains that you get up from—from really a bad mattress.

What happens is, some of the common ones are neck pain. There’s a condition called torticollis. Torticollis involves the levator scapulae, and what happens is they become inflamed from side sleeping without proper support of the neck.

So what happens with that is you wake up and your neck is stiff. It might not be so stiff at first, but in the next couple of hours, it gets to the point where you might not be able to turn your head. That’s called torticollis, and that is because of a bad sleep position and the lack of neck support.

What we’re going to do is just have you like this now—if you take a look and you fall asleep like this, what’s going to happen is your head is supported first, right? And your neck really isn’t, so it starts to sag. And these muscles that run—the levators—are going to get fired up. You’re going to wake up with them fired up.

That’s one of the most common things I see.

In more chronic cases, it’s called cervical dystonia—a neurological form involving involuntary muscle contractions. But for most people, it shows up suddenly, often due to poor posture or muscle strain.

It can be:

• Acute – coming on suddenly, often from sleep or stress

• Chronic – related to deeper neurological or structural issues

Types of Torticollis

• Congenital Torticollis – present at birth (we treat this in infants, but we'll talk about that another time)

• Acquired Torticollis – common in adults, often posture or sleep related

• Spasmodic Torticollis – involves involuntary muscle spasms, typically more complex neurologically

What Causes Torticollis in Adults?

Poor Posture or Sleeping Position

Ever wake up with your head tilted, neck stiff, and muscles locked up? One of the biggest causes of torticollis I see is side sleeping without neck support—or sleeping on a bad mattress.

Muscle Spasms or Strain

Repetitive motion, stress, or even poor movement patterns can overwork the levator scapulae or surrounding muscles, leading to a protective spasm.

Joint Dysfunction or Misalignment

Small misalignments (what we call vertebral subluxations) put stress on the surrounding soft tissue and restrict movement.

This is why chiropractic can be such a powerful solution—it helps restore joint alignment and reduce tension naturally.

Nervous System Involvement

If nerves that control the neck muscles are irritated or compressed, it can lead to increased muscle tone and poor coordination.

Symptoms of Torticollis

Physical Signs

• Head tilted or rotated to one side

• Pain or stiffness on one side of the neck or upper shoulder

• Difficulty turning your head in one direction

Functional Impacts

• Pain when driving or working

• Trouble getting restful sleep

• Tension headaches and upper back tightness

• Reduced range of motion in daily life

How Chiropractors Diagnose Torticollis

Patient History and Onset Review

We’ll ask:

• When did the pain start?

• Did you sleep differently or have any recent stress?

• Have you had prior neck or spinal injuries?

Physical and Neurological Examination

We assess:

• Muscle tone

• Head positioning

• Spinal alignment

• Reflexes and nerve function

Imaging When Needed

In some cases, we may recommend:

• X-rays – to check alignment

• MRI – if soft tissue or nerve involvement is suspected

Chiropractic Treatments for Torticollis

Spinal Adjustments

Gentle, targeted chiropractic adjustments help:

• Improve mobility

• Reduce joint irritation

• Balance muscular tone

Soft Tissue Techniques

We often use:

• Trigger point therapy

• Myofascial release

• Manual stretching of the levator scapulae and SCM muscles

At-Home Exercises and Stretches

You’ll be shown how to:

• Gently mobilize the neck

• Improve posture

• Avoid strain (especially during sleep or screen use)

Need ideas? Try these stretches for a stiff neck to get started.

Nervous System Rebalancing

Adjustments also help calm overactive nerve signals that contribute to spasms and tightness.

When to Seek Help for Torticollis

Don’t ignore it if:

• The tilt or stiffness lasts more than 48 hours

• Pain radiates to the shoulder, back, or head

• You’ve had recurring episodes of neck tension

Chiropractic care offers a drug-free, non-invasive solution—and it works especially well when started early.

Frequently Asked Questions About Torticollis

Can torticollis go away on its own?

Sometimes. But many cases benefit from manual therapy to avoid lingering stiffness or misalignment.

Is it dangerous?

Usually no—but it can severely limit function and worsen if ignored.

Is chiropractic safe for torticollis?

Yes! We use gentle adjustments, supported soft tissue work, and gradual progressions based on your comfort.

How fast does it improve with treatment?

Many patients feel relief after 1–2 visits, with significant improvement over 1–2 weeks depending on severity.

What if it’s from stress or posture?

That’s extremely common—and part of our plan includes long-term posture and lifestyle tips to prevent recurrence.

Let’s Get Your Neck Moving Again

Torticollis can feel scary—but in most cases, it’s simply your body asking for help.

With the right chiropractic care, we can restore balance, reduce pain, and get your neck moving the way it’s meant to.

Schedule your evaluation today—and let’s get you turning your head with ease again.