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 Prolotherapy 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."