Straightening the Course: Treating Torticollis with Pediatric Physical Therapy

“Torticollis” translates literally to “twisted neck,” which can make it an alarming diagnosis to receive about your infant. In reality, however, torticollis affects about 16% of newborns, and the condition is usually easily resolved. At Therapy Fit, we offer one of its best treatments: pediatric physical therapy for torticollis.

Torticollis has several potential causes that all result in your baby’s head being turned and/or tilted to one side. If left untreated, this position can cause issues later in your child’s life, impacting their overall posture, balance, and stability and delaying their development of gross motor skills, such as crawling or walking. 

Fortunately, treatment for torticollis is usually straightforward. Physical therapy at Therapy Fit can help improve your child’s neck’s muscles function and range of motion, correcting the impairment before it can have a lasting impact.

Our staff is happy to help you understand torticollis. Contact our clinic to schedule an appointment today!

Understanding The Causes and Types of Torticollis

Experts divide torticollis into three groups. They are:

The exact causes of torticollis can vary. Most infants have congenital torticollis. Certain unavoidable factors can cause children to be born with the condition, including the following:

Sometimes, however, babies will develop torticollis after birth. In fact, infant torticollis cases have increased over the last thirty years, largely due to recommendations that babies sleep on their backs to avoid SIDs (sudden infant death syndrome). While this practice dramatically lowers the risk of SIDs, it increases the likelihood of developing torticollis.

Obviously, you should continue to place your baby on their back to sleep. However, make sure they’re having plenty of “tummy time” when they’re awake. Spending time on their bellies allows children to balance their muscular development–protecting them from SIDs and torticollis.

How Pediatric Physical Therapy Can Resolve Torticollis

The pediatric therapists at Therapy Fit have extensive experience addressing torticollis! While treatment is fairly straightforward, we understand the unique needs of infants and will design both in-clinic and at-home exercise programs to ensure your child gets all the care they need.

Pediatric physical therapy for torticollis strives to restore normal posture, movement, and overall functionality. We tailor each program based on the type of torticollis your child has while considering other potential factors, too. Here are a few techniques we might use: 

• Passive Exercise: We’ll gently move your baby’s neck to gradually increase their range of motion–and we can show you how to properly perform these exercises at home.

• Myofascial Release: This gentle, hands-on technique helps loosen (“release”) the fascia, the tough tissue that wraps around your child’s muscles. Tight fascia can cause restriction and muscular shortness, and this technique can help with improved mobility in the neck and trunk.

• Active Range-of-Motion Exercises: We’ll also get your child moving on their own with exercises targeting their neck and trunk mobility. Don’t let the word “exercise” fool you: our therapists use age-appropriate toys and games for these sessions, and your child will see it as playtime.

• Strengthening Exercises: In addition to improving your child’s range of motion, we’ll also work on helping them strengthen their neck muscles and correct any imbalances. Again, we’ll use toys and other fun techniques to promote proper muscle development.

• Balance and Vestibular Therapy: If torticollis affects your child’s balance and vestibular (inner ear) system, we can help address those impairments through specialized exercises that ensure your child can move properly.

What To Expect During Pediatric Physical Therapy Sessions for Torticollis

The first step in treating torticollis is understanding your child’s particular experience. Our therapists will always begin with a comprehensive assessment to help us fully understand the cause and specific systems your child is experiencing. We’ll examine your child’s health history and perform simple movement screens to help us better understand their condition.

This information will help us create a customized treatment plan that includes both in-clinic and at-home exercises. We’ll work through appropriate techniques during your child’s time in our clinic, but we’ll also provide you and other caregivers with the information you need to ensure your child’s treatment is successful.