4 Questions on Torticollis Answered
Hearing your infant has Torticollis can be overwhelming and scary. After receiving this diagnosis, your doctor will typically recommend physical therapy interventions for treatment of Torticollis as early intervention is key.
So what is Torticollis?
Torticollis is most often caused by the tightening of a muscle in the neck called the Sternocleidomastoid (I know, what a name!). For this blog, let’s call it the SCM for short. Torticollis can be due to positioning in utero, positioning during the birthing process or positioning following birth. Torticollis can also arise from other causes, however, physical therapists most commonly treat that associated with the SCM.
What is the SCM exactly?
The SCM is responsible for side bending (moving your ear towards your shoulder) and rotational (moving your chin towards your shoulder) movements of the neck. Typical Torticollis positioning can get a little confusing as the motions are in opposite directions; for example, if an infant has right Torticollis they will present with right side bending and left rotation. Conversely, if an infant has left Torticollis, they would present with left side bending and right rotation in positioning of the neck.
What are key points to know about Torticollis?
The above information is not necessary for you to memorize, simply understanding that an abnormal alignment of an infant’s neck can be caused by Torticollis is sufficient. It is also necessary to understand that early diagnosis and treatment of Torticollis plays a large role in successful treatment. As you have more mobility the older you get, the less effective treatment could be. Therefore, it is imperative to receive treatment as early as possible to correct their alignment.
Why is education on Torticollis important?
Education is such an integral element when working with an infant who has been diagnosed with Torticollis, as correct positioning is incredibly important for their progress. We will usually instruct parents and caregivers on positioning activities and stretching during the initial evaluation to ensure interventions can begin immediately and be very consistent both at home and in therapy.
The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has created guidelines for treatment and prognosis of Torticollis. This allows us as therapists, to easily share effective home exercise information with parents and caregivers, as well as ensure our information is up to date and supported by evidence.
Being proactive and noticing this type of positioning early can be beneficial to an infant’s progress and motor development. If you are concerned about your infant’s head or neck positioning, do not hesitate to ask your doctor. While treatment for Torticollis is relatively straight forward, if an infant goes undiagnosed and does not get treatment, it has the potential to negatively impact their motor development. Poor alignment during development can delay or impair typical motor milestones, but remember, Torticollis is highly treatable!
A quick testimonial
We see many patients with Torticollis (all are adorable patients, might I add!), and I just recently discharged a 10-month-old named Alex, who had a diagnosis of Torticollis and left our clinic a happy camper with no more alignment issues!
“Kendell and Crawl Walk Jump Run walked me through Alex’s treatment and educated me throughout the process. Alex loved his weekly sessions and we felt completely comfortable with staff. I felt that they listened and addressed my concerns as they evolved throughout treatment. Alex has made a ton of progress physically, which I directly relate to the treatment provided by Kendell and the CWJR team.” – Gina Hardy
Thanks for reading!
Remember to always reach out with any of your questions!
Kendell Myers, DPT
Physical Therapist
