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Torticollis
From the Doctor and Dietitian Newsletter
Question:
"Please help me. I don’t
know what happened but now I’m stuck in a position where my head always faces
to the right. It interrupts my
sleep and has made my life miserable. The doctors
have done lots of tests and say my problem is in my head. Can you help?" Sincerely, Mrs. Turned to the Right
 Answer:
"Dear Mrs. Turned to the
Right, We’ll call you Mrs. T. by the way, do you know Mr. T - the though guy
who beat up Rocky Balboa - in Rocky 3? Well, its worth a try. All kidding aside,
what you describe in a very disabling condition called Torticollis. Yes,
torticollis not tortellini. Why does everyone think of food? Torticollis is a
condition that causes a muscle or muscles to contract and sometimes stay in that
contracted position permanently. Unfortunately, usually a cause is not found.
The condition usually begins in early to middle adult life and tends to worsen
slowly.
Torticollis, as you know, can cause
persons, such as yourself, to only be able to face in one direction. Torticollis
can affect other muscles of the body, but usually affect the head and
neck.
Typically, many tests are ordered, such as CT Scans,
MRI Scans and any other
Scan that cost far more than $500, but typically no abnormality is found.
Occasionally a cyst or tumor is found to have caused a problem.
Because Torticollis is a very
stressful condition to have, we recommend stress reducing measures also. No,
that does not mean going out and spending money! We recommend scripture as the
best means of giving peace in the heart. Exercise is wonderful also. I know
going to the shopping mall is exercise, but we’re talking about brisk walks to
get the old congealed cholesterol infiltrated blood moving.
There are also herbal supplements
called adaptogens that help your body handle stress. Southern Illinois is loaded
with one of them. Yep, you guessed it - ginseng. Traditionally ginseng is
consumed to vitalize, strengthen and rejuvenate the entire body. It is used for
the conditions of the tiredness, weakness, debility, convalescence, low resistance, aging, stress, poor metabolism and lack of concentration. Just look
at your back yard, Mrs. T, and pick some.
Occasionally, torticollis doesn’t
respond to the above measures. Then we recommend a series of
Prolotherapy
injection treatments. I know you don’t like injections but what would syringe
and needle makers do if there were no more injections in the world? What a scary
thought, injections! Prolotherapy strengthens
ligaments and
tendons and can
correct some cases of Torticollis.
A newer injection treatment
utilizes Botullian Toxin to weaken the contracted muscle. As a last resort,
surgery would be recommended.
Mrs. T, we hope that helps. Now get
some ginseng and make some teas for yourself and Mr. T."
RELATED
ARTICLES
Headaches Have a Neck Component
Three Types of Headaches
Torticollis
TMJ Syndrome
Migraines
Barre-Lieou
Syndrome
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