Have you noticed that your baby often tilts their head to one side? They might have a condition called torticollis, which occurs when a baby’s neck muscles become tight–leading to that telltale head tilt. Torticollis in infants can feel alarming, but with some help from our pediatric physical therapists, you can help resolve your baby’s symptoms.
Pediatric physical therapy is a specialized form of therapy focused on helping children develop and improve their movement skills. At Therapy In Motion, we work with kids of all ages, from infants to teenagers, tailoring our treatments to their age group and interests. One of our primary goals is for your child’s therapy sessions to be fun and engaging–more like playtime than a doctor’s appointment.
Torticollis in infants isn’t life-threatening, but early intervention is crucial in preventing further issues, such as flat spots on the head or delays in motor skills development. Today, we want to share some of the common signs and symptoms of torticollis and give you an overview of what to expect when you bring your child into our Olathe, KS clinic for an appointment.
Keep reading to learn more!
Recognizing Torticollis in Infants
If you haven’t heard of torticollis before, you may have heard it referred to by a different name: wryneck. The condition is fairly common in babies and young children and can develop before or after birth.
That said, it’s essential to recognize and address torticollis early to help your baby develop normally. Here are some of the signs to look out for:
- Your baby’s head consistently tilts to one side.
- Your baby struggles to turn their head in both directions.
- Your baby prefers looking in one direction and has difficulty turning the other way.
- Your baby has trouble breastfeeding on one side due to the head tilt.
- You notice a small, soft lump in your baby’s neck muscle.
So, what can cause a baby to develop torticollis in the first place? The condition itself develops due to tight muscles in the neck. Here are three reasons why your child might develop those tight neck muscles:
Position in the Womb
- Some babies develop torticollis in the womb. A cramped position can cause their neck muscles to tighten.
Birth Trauma
- If your baby’s neck muscles were stretched or injured during delivery, they might develop torticollis.
Lack of Tummy Time
- While babies should always sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of SIDS, spending a lot of time on their backs can cause their neck muscles to tighten. You can counteract this effect by making sure your child has plenty of supervised tummy time while they’re awake.
Treating Torticollis in Infants
The good news is that you can typically resolve torticollis symptoms, especially if you begin treatment early!
When you bring your baby in for an appointment at Therapy In Motion, we’ll start with a thorough evaluation. We’ll ask you to provide a detailed health history, but we’ll also assess your baby’s neck movement, muscle strength, and overall motor skills. Don’t worry–as far as your baby’s concerned, this will just feel like playtime!
We’ll then use information from the evaluation to develop a personalized treatment program that pulls from a variety of gentle, effective techniques to help your baby, such as the following:
Stretching Exercises
- These exercises gently lengthen the tight neck muscles, allowing your baby to move their head more freely.
Strengthening Exercises
- Strengthening exercises help address the muscular imbalances in your baby’s neck, helping to improve overall stability.
Positioning Techniques
- We’ll show you how to position your baby during sleep, play, and feeding to encourage proper head and neck alignment.
Tummy Time
- As mentioned above, tummy time is an essential tool against torticollis in infants, helping to strengthen your baby’s neck and shoulder muscles. We’ll provide you with the best practices for tummy time to maximize its benefits.
Have You Noticed Torticollis Symptoms? Schedule An Appointment Today!
If you think your baby might have torticollis, make an appointment at Therapy In Motion. Our pediatric physical therapists can assess your baby and let you know for sure. And if your child does have torticollis, we’ll start them on a fun, playful treatment program to ensure good health and development.
