This condition (torticollis) is one that can scare you to death. You didn't do anything that you can think of to cause it and it hurts so bad that you can't move your neck. Your neck muscles are in spasm and there's nothing much you can do.
You may have popped any kind of pain medication you could find around the house, found your heating pad and wrapped it around your neck but things aren't helping much. You've got several options. You could try to get in to see your medical doctor (if they will sneak you in between other patients), you could go to the Emergency room, or you might try a chiropractor.
Torticollis is a condition where multiple vertebra in your neck rotate significantly out of place. This is accompanied by a massive muscle contraction on one side of your neck and a tremendous pulling on the opposite side. The soft tissue in the nerve canals are compressed and a biochemical inflammation begins. It's almost certain that this condition isn't going to resolve on it's own.
From a medical standpoint you will probably receive pain medication, muscle relaxants and maybe anti inflammatory medications. If you're lucky, it will improve gradually over several days to a week.
In our office, you would receive a gentle instrument adjustment of the vertebra in your neck, gentle electric stimulation of the neck muscles (at a frequency designed to reduce pain) and possible a second adjustment later in the day (at no additional cost) to attempt to resolve the problem as quickly as possible. We would check you daily for the next few days and adjust and provide therapy as needed.
Our goal is to get you back to normal as quickly as possible and I can guarantee that you will be treated the same way as I would want to be treated.
If you have any questions about torticollis (or any other problem) remember that consultation is always free. I hope you never develop this condition but I am ready to help if you find yourself in need.
