Counterpressure in torticollis.

In a group of 65 subjects suffering from torticollis counterpressure (geste antagonistique, Gegendruckphänomen) was studied clinically and by EMG. Clearcut conclusions on the genesis of counterpressure are drawn. Counterpressure is shown not to consist of a mere touch (triggering off a hypothetic unconditioned reflex), but always a force participating in the effort to achieve the midpositioning of the head. It is found to be the finest tuner in the balancing of the involuntary (dyskinetic) and voluntary (corrective) forces. A conditioned reflex may develop on this basis.