Torticollis as defined by Merriam-Webster's Dictionary: an acute or chronic often painful condition characterized by involuntary intermittent or sustained contraction of the muscles of the neck (such as the sternocleidomastoid or trapezius) that causes the head to tilt or turn sideways, bend forward or backward, or jerk abnormally NOTE: Torticollis may occur secondary to an injury or a preexisting condition (such as a musculoskeletal abnormality or a neurodegenerative disease) but is often of unknown cause.