A prolonged muscle contraction located in the neck is known as torticollis . This disorder usually causes pain and difficulty moving your head normally, so it can be very annoying. Although it is not a serious alteration, it is important that you consult with your doctor to clear up any doubts or the possibility of any other pathology.
Torticollis can appear in both young children and adults of any age, even newborns, which usually means that the position of the head was not correct when it was developing inside the mother’s uterus.
There are two causes for this muscle contraction to occur, one is due to genetic influence, which is considered a hereditary disorder , and the other reason is related to an injury in the area due to poor posture or fast and strong movement; however, stress and fatigue can go a long way to helping this develop.
At FastlyHealwe want you to know some home remedies to cure torticollis , since the pain can become intolerable in some cases.
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Hot compresses to cure torticollis
One of the best home remedies to cure torticollis and alleviate the discomfort that it can cause in the cervical area, is to apply hot water compresses to the area, as it helps you relax the muscles that are contracted.
Using a compress with hot water on the sore spot for 15 minutes , without making any kind of movement, can be very effective; However, many claim that applying cold to the area before the heat notably helps to reduce inflammation. For this reason, you could also apply cold for 10 to 20 minutes and half an hour after this, apply heat for 10 to 15 minutes .
Lavender oil, relieves torticollis
Lavender oil is one of the most recommended home remedies to cure torticollis, as it has strong anti-inflammatory properties that are ideal for treating muscle contractures, helping you to eliminate symptoms by providing relaxation in the affected area.
You simply have to place a few drops of lavender oil in your hand, rub both hands until it warms up a bit and make gentle circular passages all over the neck , let it act without rinsing. It is absolutely essential that you do not press hard , as it could worsen the picture.
Chamomile and oregano infusions, fight torticollis
Another of the home remedies to cure torticollis highly recommended and effective is the infusion of chamomile or oregano , because they are considered relaxing and anti-inflammatory herbs that can provide great relief to this muscle contracture.
Due to the characteristics they have, it is recommended that you consume an infusion of this type before going to sleep , since in this way it also gives you a much deeper sleep; However, these herbs can also be applied externally to enjoy their benefits, so you simply have to make compresses and soak them in them to place it on the neck and leave it to act for 15 minutes.
Bath with hot water and arnica oil to reduce torticollis
Water is ideal for the muscles and that is why a hot bath is another of the most widely used home remedies for torticollis . This may be because the water is relaxing and helps you relax muscles with contractures and, to increase its benefit, you can add oils with anti-inflammatory properties such as lavender or arnica.
Arnica oil also has excellent pain relieving power , making it an ideal product for torticollis. This is why you can apply it directly to the problem area or include half a cup in your bathtub and then soak in for 30 minutes.
Use a towel on your neck to reduce torticollis
Neck contracture can get worse if you don’t pay enough attention to it. It is possible that over the days the pain will spread through the cervical area, the shoulders and part of the back, that is why you should look for a quick and effective solution.
Using a rolled towel and placing it around your neck when you are sitting can help you significantly both to relax the muscles there and to avoid a major contracture. In this way, the discomfort of torticollis will gradually disappear until there is nothing left.
Cabbage leaves, a good option that cures torticollis
Another of the most effective home remedies to cure torticollis is to use raw cabbage leaves . Although it is not usually very well known, it is a method that can help you alleviate the symptoms of muscle contracture and other disorders such as arthritis or injuries caused by overexertion.
Simply place the dark green cabbage leaves on a flat, hard surface, cut the stems, and slide a glass bottle or rolling pin over them until they expel some liquid . Finally, cover the leaves with plastic wrap and heat them until they are warm, either in the microwave or with the iron and then place them in the affected place . You must let it act for at least an hour or you can apply them at night before going to sleep and leave them there until the next day; however, it is important that you always repeat this action with new leaves at least once a day.
Other tips to relieve torticollis
- Perform therapeutic cervical movements to relieve torticollis or to avoid it, in the following article we explain what are the exercises to treat torticollis .
- Try to keep your neck always supported.
- Take care of your posture when you walk or are sitting.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever if you have a lot of pain.
- Try not to carry a lot of weight on one shoulder.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Home remedies to cure torticollis , we recommend that you enter our Bones, Joints and Muscles category .

I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.