Exercises to Alleviate Your Infant's Torticollis Condition

Torticollis, a condition that causes a newborn's head to tilt to one side, can be a concern for parents. This twisted appearance, while unsettling, is treatable with early identification and intervention.

Torticollis is often caused by the strap muscles in a baby's neck becoming short and tight, which can be due to birth trauma or the baby's position in the uterus. If you notice your baby has a head tilt and suspect they could have torticollis, it's important to speak to their pediatrician as soon as possible. Treatment can take longer after they're 3 months old, so early intervention is crucial.

Pediatrician Penina Gross-Richmond recommends physical therapy as a primary treatment for torticollis in children. However, osteopathic manipulative treatment can also be an effective complement to physical therapy and at-home interventions. Osteopathic physicians can perform manipulative therapy, using gentle, hands-on techniques to guide tissues into a more relaxed position, allowing the neck to straighten by restoring alignment and releasing tissue tightness.

Home exercises can begin immediately, and your pediatrician will explain how to do stretches, repositioning, and light massage. The neck rotation stretch, for instance, helps improve a baby's range of motion on the tight side of their neck. This stretch involves gently turning the baby's head to the opposite side for up to 30 seconds.

Repositioning techniques, such as moving toys to the tight side, standing on the baby's tighter side during diaper changes, and holding them during feedings so their head is turned to the tighter side, can also be practiced throughout the day. These techniques are particularly beneficial for left-sided torticollis. For right-sided torticollis, similar techniques apply.

Tummy time is another effective method for correcting mild cases of plagiocephaly and helping make babies' heads nice and round. It encourages babies to turn their heads from side to side, push up on their arms, and increase their muscle tone.

If at-home stretches and repositioning techniques do not work, physical therapy may be necessary to relieve torticollis. Pediatricians may refer families to physical therapy or an osteopathic physician for further treatment. Light massage of the baby's neck and back muscles can also help loosen them.

If left untreated, torticollis can affect the symmetry of a baby's head and face, impact their vision or hearing, and lead to orthopaedic issues. Therefore, prompt treatment is essential to ensure your baby's health and wellbeing.