Wry neck (acute torticollis)
A sudden, locked and painful neck, often waking up unable to turn your head.
By Andrew Ellis, AHPRA registered physiotherapist · Reviewed July 2026
What it is
A wry neck, or acute torticollis, is a sudden onset of sharp neck pain with the neck locked toward one side. People often wake up with it. It usually involves a joint or muscle in the neck becoming acutely irritated, and while it is painful, it generally settles quickly with the right care.
Signs and symptoms
Everyone is different, but these are common with wry neck (acute torticollis). You may have some and not others.
How physiotherapy helps
Gentle physiotherapy can ease a wry neck faster than waiting it out. We use careful joint mobilisation and soft tissue techniques to settle the spasm and restore movement, then give you exercises and advice to recover and lower the chance of it returning.
- Gentle joint mobilisation
- Soft tissue release
- Pain easing positions and advice
- Gradual movement exercises
How we treat it
The right mix depends on your assessment. These are the services we most often draw on for this.
Spinal and joint mobilisation
Gentle, controlled movement to improve a stiff joint and ease the pain that comes with it.
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Soft tissue release
Skilled hands on work through muscles, tendons and ligaments to ease tension and restore flexibility.
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Trigger point dry needling
Fine needles into trigger points to release muscle tension and ease referred pain. A core focus at PACT.
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What you pay, with or without cover
Every appointment is a full, unhurried session with the time to work through complex, persistent problems. The fee is $165 for an initial visit and $142 for a follow up, and if you have Medicare, private health extras or an accepted claim, here is what you pay.
Paying privately
No referral or paperwork needed. Every visit is a full, unhurried session with the time it needs.
With a Medicare plan
A GP Chronic Disease Management referral rebates $61.80 on every visit, up to 5 a year.
With private health extras
Claim on the spot through HICAPS. The gap depends on your fund and level of cover. See all health funds
Workers comp & CTP
Accepted workers compensation and CTP claims are billed straight to your insurer, and we handle the paperwork.
Every bar is drawn to the same scale, from $0 to the standard fee. Private health gaps vary with your fund and your level of extras cover.
Other problems we help with
Pain rarely sits in one neat box. These are commonly linked, and we treat them all.
Good to know before you book
How long does a wry neck take to settle?
How much will it cost?
Do I need a referral?
Can it be managed by telehealth?
Sources and further reading
Written and reviewed by Andrew Ellis, AHPRA registered physiotherapist. Last reviewed July 2026.
This page is general information about wry neck (acute torticollis), not a diagnosis or a substitute for an assessment. If you are concerned about your symptoms, book an appointment or see your GP.
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Same day appointments often available at our Miranda clinic, or by telehealth across Australia.