What Is Torticollis?
• Does your child seem to prefer turning his/ her head to one side?
• Does your baby’s head always tilt to one side?
• Does your baby have a “flat spot” on one side of the back of their head?
If you answered yes to any of the above, your baby may have Congenital Muscular Torticollis. This is caused by a tight neck muscle on one side called the Sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM). As soon as you notice this, it is important to ask your pediatrician for a referral to physical therapy. The sooner your baby is evaluated, the sooner the condition may be resolved.
As you start this process, it is important to check with your insurance company regarding this type of therapy. Some insurance companies do not require a referral or prescription to start physical therapy, therefore, you can start right away!
How can physical therapy help your baby?
The physical therapist will teach you how to stretch the tight side of your baby’s neck as well as strengthen the opposites side, which is usually weaker.
What can you do while you wait for therapy?
• You can start by encouraging your child to look to the non-preferred side by placing toys on that side
• You can alternate which side you hold the baby while you feed them
• You can ensure their head is in midline or centered while in their car seat or while you are holding them
• When they are awake and supervised, you should encourage tummy time. This keeps them off of the back of their head and therefore keeps them off of the “flat spot.”
Remember: “back to sleep” and “tummy to play”!
If torticollis is left untreated, babies can develop facial asymmetries and have difficulty sitting symmetrically as they may bear weight on one side more than the other.
In addition, they might crawl with one leg turned out because they have difficulty shifting their weight to one side. All of these developmental skills will be addressed in physical therapy so you can learn to practice at home!
If your baby’s “flat spot” is significant, they might require a Cranial remolding helmet. Your pediatrician will help you make this decision and many companies offer free scans to determine the “severity “ to decide if this treatment is appropriate.
If you feel that your baby may be a candidate for a physical therapy evaluation, please reach out to your pediatrician today. In addition, you can speak directly with our physical therapist via email at susan@collaborativecorner.org!
For more information, please click here.
Susan Robins, PT
Pediatric Physical Therapist
susan@collaborativecorner.org