Chiropractic adjustments and cervical Dystonia have a long history. Cervical Dystonia (adult Torticollis) is a very painful condition that occurs when the muscles in the neck contract involuntarily. These spasms cause the head to twist or turn to one side and can pull forward or backward motion.
Cervical Dystonia is a rare condition that can occur at any age. When it occurs in children, it’s called Torticollis. Cervical Dystonia typically occurs in middle-aged people, women more often than men. The symptoms usually start gradually and progressively get worse.
Cervical Dystonia causes the head to twist in various directions because the tightening muscles contract. The direction of the movement depends on the specific muscles contracting.
The most common type of twisting resulting from cervical Dystonia is when muscle spasms pull your chin down and to the side, toward the shoulder. The rate of the spasms can vary, from slow and intermittent to somewhat faster and more frequent. The variations can cause different combinations of abnormal head motion. If the spasms are more frequent, they can appear to be almost a “jerking” motion.
Many patients with adult torticollis will also experience neck pain and stiffness that radiates into the shoulders. Some patients with cervical Dystonia also experience sub-occipital headaches. For many patients, the pain and discomfort from cervical Dystonia can be quite disabling.
What Causes Cervical Dystonia?
The causes of cervical Dystonia are often unknown. Some patients have a family history of this painful disorder. Some patients have a specific gene mutation linked to cervical Dystonia. Head, neck, or shoulder injuries are possible causes of cervical Dystonia.
What are the Risk Factors of Cervical Dystonia?
Some of the risk factors for cervical Dystonia include:
Age – Most patients are over the age of 30, but it can occur at any age.
Sex – Cervical Dystonia occurs in women more often than in men.
Family history – Most likely due to the genetic component, if a close family member has any Dystonia, you have a higher risk of developing the disorder as well.
Complications of Chiropractic Adjustments and Cervical Dystonia
In rare cases, the muscle spasms that occur with cervical Dystonia can appear in other muscle groups. The most common areas reported are the face, jaw, arms, and trunk.
Patients experiencing cervical Dystonia can also develop arthritis (bone spurs ) that reduces the amount of space in the spinal canal. These spurs, called osteophytes, can result in numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms, legs, hands, and feet.
The safety of affordable Chiropractic adjustments is well-studied and documented. Chiropractic care is much safer than many medical procedures, including prescription medications and surgeries.
What is the Medical Treatment for Cervical Dystonia?
A case study published in the Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research documented a case of chiropractic adjustments of the cervical spine that provided significant relief from neck pain and the spasms associated with cervical Dystonia.
Cervical Dystonia, also known as adult Torticollis, is a painful condition in which the neck muscles contract involuntarily, causing the head to twist or turn to one side. Cervical dystonia can also cause the head to tilt forward or backward uncontrollably. The Mayo Clinic describes this condition on its website as “… a painful condition in which your neck muscles contract involuntarily, causing your head to twist or turn to one side. Cervical Dystonia can also cause your head to tilt forward or backward uncontrollably.”
Cervical Dystonia can resolve without treatment, but prolonged episodes can occur without proper treatment. The most common medical treatment is to inject botulinum toxin (Botox) into the affected muscles. This temporarily paralyzes the muscles, preventing them from contracting. Surgery can be suggested, but it is a very severe treatment.
Chiropractic Adjustments And Cervical Dystonia: How Does a Chiropractor Help?
There are many different treatment options for cervical Dystonia. A well-documented treatment for adult Torticollis is Chiropractic adjustments. Chiropractic specializes in treating conditions affecting the spine and nervous systems, which are primarily affected by cervical Dystonia.
Chiropractic has a long and successful history of treating cervical Dystonia’s more common cousin, Torticollis. The chiropractic adjustment and cervical dystonia treatment mobilizes areas of the cervical spine that are stuck or “subluxated,” which helps reduce muscle spasms, restore joint function, relieve inflammation of the spinal joints, and, most importantly, remove interference from the spinal nerves that send information from the brain to all of the tissues in the body. Fortunately, Integrative Health and Rehabilitation doctors have many tools to use in addition to Chiropractic adjustments and cervical Dystonia, including Acupuncture, Dry Needling, Laser therapy, Electroacupuncture, and more. Many patients also find relief from their neck pain by using cervical traction at home while under care with our office.
Frequently Asked Questions: Chiropractic Adjustments and Cervical Dystonia
Q: What is cervical dystonia, and how is it different from a stiff neck?
A: Cervical dystonia is a neurological movement disorder — not a simple muscle strain — in which the neck muscles contract involuntarily and repeatedly, causing the head to twist, tilt, or pull in an uncontrolled direction. Unlike a stiff neck caused by sleeping awkwardly or muscle overuse, cervical dystonia involves a dysfunction in the nervous system’s signaling to the neck muscles, and symptoms tend to be progressive rather than resolving on their own within a few days. It is also sometimes called adult torticollis.
Q: Can chiropractic adjustments help cervical dystonia?
A: Yes, chiropractic care has a documented history of providing meaningful relief for cervical dystonia. The cervical spine contains joints that can become restricted or misaligned — a condition chiropractors call subluxation — which compounds the nerve interference already present in dystonia. Adjustments to the upper cervical spine help restore proper joint motion, reduce muscle spasm, relieve spinal joint inflammation, and remove nerve interference that regulates muscle function. A case study published in the Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research found significant improvements in both neck pain and spasms following cervical chiropractic adjustments.
Q: What other treatments can be used alongside chiropractic for cervical dystonia?
A: Chiropractic adjustments are often most effective when combined with complementary therapies. At Integrative Health and Rehabilitation, the treatment toolkit for cervical dystonia includes acupuncture, dry needling, electroacupuncture, low-level laser therapy, and cervical traction for home use. Each of these addresses different aspects of the condition — muscle spasm, nerve irritation, inflammation, and joint mobility — making a multi-modal approach more effective than any single treatment alone.
Q: Is Botox the only conventional medical treatment for cervical dystonia?
A: Botox (botulinum toxin) injections are the most commonly prescribed conventional treatment, as they temporarily paralyze the overactive muscles to reduce spasms. While effective for symptom management, Botox requires repeated injections every few months and does not address the underlying neurological or structural contributors to the condition. Surgery is occasionally recommended in severe, treatment-resistant cases. Chiropractic care offers a non-invasive alternative or complement to these approaches, particularly for patients seeking to reduce their reliance on injections over time.
Q: Who is most at risk for developing cervical dystonia?
A: Cervical dystonia most commonly develops in people over the age of 30, and it affects women more frequently than men. A family history of dystonia or other movement disorders increases risk, suggesting a genetic component in some cases. Trauma to the head, neck, or shoulder is another known trigger. Because symptoms typically develop gradually, many patients go months or years before receiving an accurate diagnosis — making early evaluation important if you notice persistent or progressive involuntary neck movements.
Interested in Chiropractic Adjustments and Cervical Dystonia?
Dr. James Doran, DC, CCAc Clinic Director, Board Certified, Licensed Colorado Chiropractor Integrative Health and Rehabilitation – Denver, CO
Dr. James Doran is a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic with over 25 years of clinical experience treating musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions. His clinical focus includes mechanical back pain, neck pain, headache disorders, sports injuries, and post–auto accident injuries.
Dr. Doran utilizes evidence-based approaches including chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture, dry needling, low-level laser therapy, and rehabilitative care. He holds a bachelor’s degree in human nutrition and integrates functional, biomechanical, and whole-person principles into patient care. Dr. Doran is licensed to practice chiropractic in the State of Colorado and treats patients daily in private practice.
About Integrative Health and Rehabilitation
Integrative Health and Rehabilitation provides integrative chiropractic and physical medicine services for patients in Denver, Arvada, and Wheat Ridge, Colorado. The clinic focuses on evidence-based, non-surgical care for both acute and chronic conditions, with an emphasis on restoring function, reducing pain, and supporting long-term health. 📍 Office Location: Denver, CO 🔗 View the clinic on Google Maps
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