What causes torticollis to occur?

Twist of the neck: Torticollis just means twist of the neck. At birth a baby can be born with spasm of the neck muscles that causes the neck to twist to one side. Inflammation of nodes in the neck can produce this later, and damage and contraction of the sternocleidomastoid muscle will cause the same condition. Neck injuries may result in the condition, and tumors in the neck and cervical region may produce it.