Neck Tension & Torticollis Treatment in Grand Rapids

Reviewed by Dr. Ryan Davis, DC, Davis Chiropractic Health & Wellness, Grand Rapids, MN · Last reviewed October 2026

Waking up with a neck that won’t turn, shoulders that creep up toward your ears by the end of the day, or a baby who always tilts their head to one side. A stiff, locked-up neck makes everything harder, from checking your blind spot to getting a good night’s sleep. We look for the cause of the problem instead of just covering up the symptoms.

NEW PATIENTS

What Is Torticollis?

Torticollis, often called “wry neck,” means the head is stuck tilted or turned to one side. In adults it usually comes on suddenly, often after sleeping wrong, a quick movement, or a long day of strain. The neck muscles go into a protective spasm and lock the joints in place. In babies it is usually a tight muscle on one side of the neck, often present from birth or developing in the first few months.

Common Causes of Neck Tension and a Locked-Up Neck

• Sleeping wrong: a bad pillow, sleeping on your stomach, or falling asleep in a chair or car
• Desk and phone posture: hours of looking down or forward loads the muscles at the back of the neck. See our posture & tech neck page.
• Stress: tension tends to settle in the neck and upper shoulders
• Sudden movement or strain: a quick turn, lifting, shoveling, or a minor fender bender
• Cold drafts and long drives: holding one position for a long time with tense muscles
• In infants: position in the womb, a difficult delivery, or favoring one side while feeding or sleeping

Signs to Watch For

• Can’t turn your head fully, or have to turn your whole body to look over your shoulder
• Head tilted or pulled to one side
• Tight, tender knots in the neck and top of the shoulders
• Tension that builds into headaches at the base of the skull or behind the eyes
• In babies: always looking one way, trouble feeding on one side, or a flat spot on the back or side of the head

How We Find the Source

We start with your history: when it started, what you were doing, and what makes it better or worse. Then we check your range of motion, feel for muscle spasm and stiff joints, and run a neurological screen of your arms and reflexes. When indicated, we take X-rays in our office to look at alignment and rule out anything more serious. For infants, we do a gentle hands-on exam and work alongside your pediatrician.

How Chiropractic Care May Help

When the joints in the neck lock up and the muscles around them guard, gentle care to restore motion and calm the spasm can help many people turn their head again, often within a few visits. Depending on what we find, your plan may include:

• Adjustments to the neck and upper back to restore motion
• Gentle instrument adjusting when a neck is too sore for a hands-on adjustment
• Active Release and Graston Technique to release tight, guarded muscles
• Laser therapy to calm muscle spasm and inflammation
• Massage therapy for the neck, shoulders and upper back
• Simple stretches, heat or ice guidance, and pillow and workstation tips for home

Gentle Care for Infants

Care for babies is very different from care for adults. We use light fingertip pressure, gentle stretching, and positioning tips for feeding, sleep, and tummy time to help the neck relax and move evenly to both sides. We work alongside your pediatrician, and physical therapy may also be part of the plan. Learn more on our kids chiropractic page.

When to Get Emergency Care

Call 911 or go to the ER right away if a stiff neck comes with fever, a severe headache, confusion, or sensitivity to light. Also get urgent care for neck pain after a fall, car accident, or other injury, numbness or weakness in the arms or legs, trouble swallowing or breathing, or a sudden “worst headache of your life.” For babies, call your pediatrician right away if a head tilt comes with fever, unusual fussiness or sleepiness, vomiting, or follows a fall.

Frequently Asked Questions

I woke up and can’t turn my head. Should I come in?

Yes. This is one of the most common things we see. A locked-up neck from sleeping wrong often responds well to gentle care, and many people notice improvement quickly. If it comes with fever or a severe headache, get medical care first.

Is it safe to adjust a neck that’s in spasm?

We never force a neck that’s guarding. We start with soft-tissue work, laser, and gentle low-force techniques to calm the muscles, then adjust when the neck is ready.

Do you treat babies with torticollis?

Yes. Infant care is very gentle, with about the pressure you’d use to check a ripe tomato. We work alongside your pediatrician and physical therapist when needed.

How long until my neck loosens up?

A sudden wry neck often improves within a few days to a couple of weeks. Long-standing tension from posture or stress takes longer and does best with a home plan. We’ll give you a realistic timeline after your exam.

Do I need a referral?

No. You can see a chiropractor in Minnesota without a referral. Some insurance plans have their own rules, and our front desk can help you check your benefits.

Davis Chiropractic Health & Wellness, P.A. · Grand Rapids, MN · (218) 326-1804