Spasmodic Torticollis

Spasmodic Torticollis is also known as Cervical Dystonia and sometimes referred to as ‘Torticollis’.

It can present differently in different people but generally involves severe and painful muscle contractions in one part of the neck causing the neck and head to twist either to one side or forwards or backwards.

Spasmodic Torticollis can limit a persons ability to perform normal everyday tasks such as reading, watching television, walking etc.

The most common treatment for this condition is injections of botulinum toxin, less common is deep brain stimulation which some people have found to be very successful.

Click on the following video to see a typical example of someone with spasmodic torticollis.

Spasmodic torticollis can affect musicians, thought to be caused be the constant small repetitive movements involved in playing an instrument. The video below shows a guitarist with this condition.