What is clonic torticollis?

Clonic torticollis, also known as spasmodic torticollis, is a neurological movement disorder characterized by involuntary, repetitive, twitching or jerking movements of the head and neck. It can be a frustrating condition that may sometimes feel like your head has a life of its own. Even so, it usually doesn’t cause any serious medical problems.

Clonic torticollis can occur on one side or both sides of your neck and can range from mild to severe. In some cases, clonic torticollis may also be accompanied by other movement disorders such as tic, tremors, or dystonia.

Symptoms

The primary symptom of clonic torticollis is involuntary jerking or twitching of the head and neck. These movements can be:

- Continuous or intermittent

- Mild or severe

- In one direction or multiple directions

- Accompanied by other movement disorders such as tics, tremors, or dystonia

- Worse with stress, anxiety, or fatigue

- Improved with relaxation or concentration

Clonic torticollis can also cause a number of other symptoms such as:

- Pain in the neck, shoulders, or back

- Headaches

- Difficulty swallowing or speaking

- Drooling

- Difficulty driving or performing other activities that require coordination

- Embarrassment or social isolation

Causes

The exact cause of clonic torticollis is not fully understood, but it is thought to be related to a dysfunction in the basal ganglia, a part of the brain that controls movement. Clonic torticollis may be caused by:

- Structural damage to the brain, such as a stroke, head injury, or tumor

- Genetic factors

- Certain medications

- Stress or anxiety

Treatment

There is no cure for clonic torticollis, but there are a variety of treatments that can help to manage the symptoms:

- Physical therapy: Stretching and strengthening exercises can help improve muscle control, while relaxation techniques can help to reduce stress and anxiety.

- Medication: Medications such as muscle relaxants, anticholinergics, or dopamine-depleting agents can help to reduce muscle spasms.

- Botulinum toxin (Botox) injections: Botox can help paralyze the muscles of the neck, which can reduce the severity of the spasms.

- Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to correct a structural problem in the brain or to remove a tumor that is causing the symptoms.