What is it?
Wry neck is a condition with sudden neck pain, where the muscles on one side of your neck tighten up, causing your head to tilt or rotate in one direction. It can feel painful and stiff, making it hard to turn your head or hold it in a normal position.
What causes it?
In most cases, wry neck comes on without a clear reason—sometimes after sleeping awkwardly, a sudden neck movement, or poor posture. It can also follow a minor neck strain or irritation in the small joints of the spine. In rare cases, it may be linked to infections or reactions to certain medications. It is important to address the underlying reason, which is often linked to lifestyle, posture, muscle imbalance or work ergonomics.
How it feels
- Sudden pain on one side of the neck
- Your head may feel stuck in a tilted or turned position
- Muscle spasm and tightness in the neck or shoulder
- Difficulty turning your head or looking over your shoulder
- Pain may spread to the upper back or cause headaches
How physiotherapy helps
Physiotherapy is very effective in managing wry neck. Your physio will:
- Assess your neck movement and muscle tension
- Apply gentle manual therapy to relieve joint stiffness
- Use soft tissue techniques or heat to reduce muscle spasm
- Prescribe gentle stretches and movement exercises
- Advise you how to manage posture and prevent recurrence
Recovery
Most people improve within a few days. With physiotherapy, you can restore normal movement faster, reduce pain, and get back to regular activities confidently.
Reference:
Cunha B, Tadi P, Bragg BN. Torticollis (Wry Neck). In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023. NCBI Bookshelf NBK539857
