Torticollis
What is it?
Torticollis is a condition in which the neck muscles contract, causing the head to twist to one side.
How might this look in your child?
- Flat spot on side or back of head (due to head remaining turned/tilted)
- Child prefers to turn head to one side
- Head may remain slightly tilted
- Limited range of motion in the head and neck
- If breastfed, child may have trouble feeding on one side (or prefers one breast only)
What is the cause?
This condition can begin before, during, or after birth. The SCM is a muscle that runs along each side of the neck and controls how the head moves. When the SCM muscle is contracted, it results in Torticollis. Below are some common reasons why the SCM muscle may have become contracted and caused torticollis;
- The way baby was positioned in the womb
- Abnormal development of the SCM muscle
- Trauma or damage to the muscle during birth
- Minor trauma to the head and neck
- Respiratory and soft-tissue infections of the neck
- Abnormalities in the cervical spine (such as atlantoaxial subluxation)
How can it impact my baby?
The early months of a child’s life are crucial for his/her development. Torticollis can impact an infant’s development of vision, sensory processing, feeding, and fine and gross motor skills.
Examples may include:
- Decreased head control
- Limited visual tracking
- Limited reaching on affected side
- Preference for rolling to one side only
- Delayed sitting
- Asymmetrical crawling
- Delayed walking
- Poor balance
- Difficulty feeding
- Decreased tolerance to movement in space, such as swinging or sliding
It is important to seek treatment as early as possible, to avoid potential developmental delay and facial asymmetry.
How can it impact my baby?
The early months of a child’s life are crucial for his/her development. Torticollis can impact an infant’s development of vision, sensory processing, feeding, and fine and gross motor skills.
Examples may include:
- Decreased head control
- Limited visual tracking
- Limited reaching on affected side
- Preference for rolling to one side only
- Delayed sitting
- Asymmetrical crawling
- Delayed walking
- Poor balance
- Difficulty feeding
- Decreased tolerance to movement in space, such as swinging or sliding
It is important to seek treatment as early as possible, to avoid potential developmental delay and facial asymmetry.
How is it treated
Our goals are to help you position your baby in midline, stretch the tight neck muscles and strengthen the weaker neck muscles. Three main things influence good outcomes in babies with torticollis:
These are:
- How severe the torticollis is
- How old your baby is when you start treatment
- How well you follow through on your home exercise program
Kind Words
We create relationships and are grateful to our many parents, agencies, and school counselors for their support throughout the years.
“I appreciate all of your, and your staffs’, efforts over the past several months. I have received a number of very positive remarks from my colleagues regarding the quality of everyone’s work.”
“ We switched from a large practice to SPGCT because I felt my child was lost in the mix. Rachel is on top of insurance claims and sends frequent emails to stay connected.”
“If there has ever been a parental, administrative or teacher concern – the ladies have jumped in immediately to help. It is evident these SLP’s have worked in our school systems for years.”
“I have been a contractor for many years - but this is the first time I have worked for a practice that is run by a fellow SLP - and what a difference it makes! Rachel truly understands our needs and our worth.”
For More Information
Call (475) 239-5512