Abstract
The following states are recognized as the mechanism of onset in our 13 cases of spasmodic torticollis (ST) . (1)The presence of aggression, (2)the presence of stressors, (3)overadaptive states prior to the onset of ST, and (4)organ choice. The organ choice of ST (i. e., the reason why the neck is involved) is considered to be as follows : Iocal harmful stimuli to the neck such as muscle abuse, stiff neck, finger-pressure therapy, cooling down of the neck by air-conditioner, the common cold, unusual or abnormal posture of the neck for a prolonged period, and symbolic reason for ST such as denial to see one side. Then, the muscles around the neck can malfunction due to psychosomatic reasons. In summary, when aggressive persons are overadaptive to situations with stressors, or are unable to verbalize well the stressors and the aggression, and get harmful direct stimulation to the neck, they experience the onset of ST. As for organ choice in general, on the other hand, the following mechanisms have been considered so far : emotional specificity, symbolical meaning, specific emotional conflict, personality type, organ inferiority, and conditional reaction. Among those, organ inferiority (i. e., peripheral or local disorder of the neck) seems to be the most important factor in the cases of ST.
