Torticollis, commonly called wry neck, can stop you in your tracks. It might be your newborn whose head always tilts to one side, or you who woke up unable to turn your neck this morning. Either way, it’s uncomfortable, worrying, and worth taking seriously.
At My Chiropractic Place, our Torticollis chiropractors in Melbourne assess what’s actually driving the problem — then help you work toward restoring normal movement, naturally and without medication.
Torticollis is a condition where the head tilts to one side while the chin rotates in the opposite direction, creating the characteristic twisted appearance of the neck. The term itself comes from Latin and literally means “twisted neck.”
There are two main types of torticollis. Congenital torticollis is present from birth and is commonly associated with tightening or shortening of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle — the large muscle that runs from the skull to the collarbone. Factors such as positioning in the womb or the physical stresses of birth may contribute to this muscle imbalance, leading to the characteristic head tilt and rotation.
Acquired torticollis develops later in childhood or adulthood and may appear gradually or suddenly. It can be linked to muscle spasm, joint irritation, injury, infection, inflammation, or other underlying conditions affecting the neck. In both forms, muscle imbalance and restricted neck movement contribute to the visible postural changes and discomfort commonly associated with torticollis.
The causes differ depending on when torticollis develops.
In infants and newborns, the most common triggers are:
In older children and adults, torticollis more commonly develops from:
In adults especially, acquired torticollis may involve joint irritation, muscle spasm, or nerve irritation, which is why it can feel more severe than a simple muscle strain and may not always resolve as quickly as expected.
What you notice depends on who is affected.
In babies and young children, parents often observe:
In adults, the symptoms may look a little different:
If any of these symptoms sound familiar, it is worth seeking a proper assessment to identify the underlying cause and determine the most appropriate course of care.
Left unmanaged, torticollis in both infants and adults can contribute to problems beyond the neck itself. Early assessment matters because:
This is not about creating alarm. It is about recognising that earlier assessment and appropriate management often make the condition easier to address and may help reduce longer-term complications.
If your baby has been diagnosed with torticollis, you may have also heard the words plagiocephaly or flat head syndrome. There’s a direct link between the two, and it’s worth understanding.
Plagiocephaly is the flattening of one side of a baby’s skull. It happens because an infant’s skull bones are soft and still forming. When a baby with torticollis consistently turns their head to one comfortable side — whether sleeping, resting, or feeding — sustained pressure on that one area gradually flattens it.
If plagiocephaly is left uncorrected, it can go on to affect more than appearance. Research has linked it to difficulties with speech and chewing, sinus development, and vision alignment. Addressing the torticollis early is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of plagiocephaly developing or worsening.
Our approach to torticollis chiropractic care in Melbourne is built around the Gonstead method — a precise system of chiropractic assessment and care focused on identifying specific areas of spinal dysfunction.
Before any care begins, Dr Nam Nguyen or Dr David Addie will take a detailed case history, assess posture and spinal movement, and explain their findings clearly so you understand what may be contributing to the problem. Care recommendations are discussed openly, with treatment tailored to the individual rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Our approach is non-surgical and drug-free, with techniques modified appropriately for infants, children, and adults. The goal is to improve movement, reduce mechanical stress, and support better overall neck function.
We see patients at our Richmond clinic and Caroline Springs clinic. Both clinics are designed to remain accessible, with timely appointments and direct communication available if patients have questions about their care.
Or call us directly on 03 9428 1836
Aker, P. S., Cassidy, J. D. (1990). Torticollis in infants and children: a report of three cases. The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, 34(1), 13.
Alcantara, J., Fleuchaus, S., & Oman, R. E. (2009). Resolution of torticollis, neck pain and vertebral subluxation in a pediatric patient undergoing chiropractic care. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health-Chiropractic, 4, 1-9.
Alcantara, J., Ohm, J., & Kunz, D. (2009). The safety and effectiveness of pediatric chiropractic: a survey of chiropractors and parents in a practice-based research network. Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing, 5(5), 290-295.
Biedermann, H. (2005). Manual Therapy in Children: Proposals for an Etiologic Model. J Manipulative Physiol Ther; 28 (3).
Bussieres, A., Cassidy, J. D., & Dzus, A. (1994). Spinal cord astrocytoma presenting as torticollis and scoliosis. Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics, 17(2), 113-118.
Colin, N. (1998). Congenital muscular torticollis: a review, case study, and proposed protocol for chiropractic management. Topics in Clinical Chiropractic,5, 27-33.
Fallon, J. M., Fysh, P. N. (1997). Chiropractic Care of the Newborn With Congenital Torticollis. Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics, 2(1), 116-21.
Hains, F., Donat, J., Cassidy, JD. (1992). Spasmodic torticollis: a case study. The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, 36(3), 146.
Moore, T. M., Pfiffner T. J. (1997). Pediatric Traumatic Torticollis: A Case Report. J Clin Chiropr Pediatr, 2(2):145-149.
Quezada, D. (2004). Chiropractic Care of an Infant with Plagiocephaply. Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics, 6(1): 342-8.
Toto, B. J. (1993). Chiropractic correction of congenital muscular torticollis.Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics, 16(8), 556-559.
Williams, S., Alcantara, J. (2014). Improvement in Congenital Torticollis, Plagiocephaly & Breastfeeding Issues in an Infant Following Subluxation Based Chiropractic Care: A Case Study. J. Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health, 4, 87-94.
Siegenthaler, M. H. (2015). Chiropractic Management of Infantile Torticollis With Associated Abnormal Fixation of One Eye: A Case Report. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 14(1), 51-56.