Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - contortion

~ n 1 the act of twisting something so that it does not have its normal shape, and looks strange or unattractive, or the fact of being twisted in this way  (the involuntary contortion of muscles brought on by the illness) 2 a twisted position or movement that looks strange  (They turned as they danced with the most amazing contortions.) 3 complicated activity in order to do something  (He went through a series of amazing contortions to get Karen a work permit.)