Especially for these patients, it is important to maintain as much flexibility and as complete a range of motion of the affected body part as possible. Your physician may also suggest evaluation by a physical therapist or occupational therapist. The intent is to preserve range of motion and flexibility, not necessarily to lessen the amount of spasm. However, after gentle stretching, the affected body part may feel better temporarily. The severity of some patients' postures may prevent some type of exercise, especially if exercise would place too much stress on the affected muscles or joints.
Aquatic therapy is recommended.
It takes stress off the body and provides exercise without aggravating the dystonia. Chiropractic treatment for torticollis has not been demonstrated to be useful. There are patients who might benefit for a short time from chiropractic treatment, but generally this is not successful over the long term. Chiropractic adjustments on the neck could be dangerous to patients with unstable spines, and there is some clear potential for harm. Generally, they do not.