infinity and beyond pediatric therapy logo. links to home page
infinity and beyond pediatric therapy logo. links to home page

Torticollis in Babies: Causes, Symptoms, and Effective Treatment Options

smiling baby on floor smiling

What Is Torticollis in Babies?

Torticollis, specifically congenital muscular torticollis (CMT), in newborns and babies is a common condition treated by pediatric physical therapists. CMT refers to a shortening or tightening of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle in the neck, which typically causes the baby to rotate their head in one direction and tilt their head in the opposite direction. As a parent, you may notice that your baby prefers to turn their head to the left or right and has a difficult time turning their head in the opposite direction.

Why Do Babies Develop Torticollis?

Torticollis can be the result of positioning in utero, a difficult delivery, and can become amplified with decreased movement opportunities after birth. The reason for why torticollis occurs is not a one size fits all approach. Each baby is unique and has their own unique birth history and delivery story.

How to Identify Torticollis in Infants

As a parent, nobody knows your baby better than you! So, you may be the first person to notice a directional or movement preference. If you do, it is imperative that you address it with your child’s pediatrician as soon as possible or consult with a pediatric physical therapist. At the same time, if you are a new parent, it is hard to know what to look for, and that is what your pediatrician is for! Your pediatrician is looking for head and neck asymmetries as early as 1 month of age. Early intervention and treatment of torticollis yields improved outcomes for infants. When treatment is initiated before 1 month of age, 99% of infants achieve excellent outcomes, compared to when treatment is initiated between 6 and 12 months of age, only 19% of infants achieve excellent outcomes.

Effective Torticollis Treatments for Babies

Pediatric physical therapists take a full body, holistic approach when it comes to torticollis treatment. It is not enough to solely stretch the neck muscles. Best practice includes addressing restrictions in mobility throughout the neck AND trunk through passive and active stretching, global strengthening, and ensuring symmetrical, age-appropriate gross motor skills.

The Importance of Treating Torticollis Early

Your baby is like a sponge, they soak up each and every bit of information around them in order to grow and develop. Unresolved torticollis negatively impacts your baby’s ability to access and explore their surroundings; if they are not able to move their head symmetrically, that impacts their ability to visually attend to their surroundings. Gross motor development begins with a baby’s ability to turn their head and neck so they can see and engage with their environment. An inability to do so also results in limited mobility throughout the rest of their trunk and extremities, which can negatively impact tummy time, crawling, and overall contribute to global delays. Unresolved torticollis can also lead to the retention of primitive reflexes, which are only integrated through symmetrical movement. Retained primitive reflexes can cause issues with attention, balance, coordination, behavior, and can contribute to further delays.

Take Home Point

If you think your baby might have torticollis, contact us today to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced pediatric physical therapists. It is the responsibility of pediatric physical therapists to not only treat the torticollis, but to teach you how to carry over exercises at home, and most importantly, make it fun and meaningful!

Not sure if your child needs physical therapy?

Contact us today for a free physical therapy screening or to schedule an evaluation.

Emily O’Shea, PT, DPT

References

Kaplan SL, Coulter C, Sargent B. Physical Therapy Management of Congenital Muscular Torticollis: A 2018 Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline From the APTA Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy. 2018 51: 240-291

This is general information and not specific medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or healthcare provider if you have questions or concerns about the health of a child.
Picture of Miss Emily

Miss Emily

Miss Emily is a licensed Physical Therapist (PT) with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) from the University of Indianapolis and a bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Learn More about Miss Emily

Our Treatment Approach

We are one of just a handful of Illinois clinics that integrates a fresh treatment approach called MNRI®. This groundbreaking method integrates physical, emotional, and social skills with your child’s unique neurological framework. As a result of MNRI®, we have seen children’s progress take off. We have discovered that MNRI® may boost your child to greater, more global, sustained, and long-lasting success.

Contact Infinity and Beyond

Subscribe to our blog

Use this link to add our blog to your news reader app.

About Infinity & Beyond Pediatric Therapy

Stephanie Vogler smiling and holding her daughter

At the core of our practice is believing all children are heroes in the making and dedication to unlocking their superpowers through tailored pediatric therapy sessions that are as fun as they are effective.

Learn More about what makes Infinity & Beyond Pediatric Therapy special.

Send Us A Message

Brittany Frankel

Brittany Frankel graduated from Elmhurst University with her Master of Occupational Therapy and holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Northeastern Illinois University. Brittany is passionate about working with children and developing strong relationships with their families to ensure collaboration to work towards the client and family-oriented goals. She has experience working with children with difficulties in a variety of areas but is especially passionate about working with children with sensory and emotional regulation and executive functioning challenges. Brittany has taken continuing education courses in areas including Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration (MNRI), interoception, executive dysfunction, and sensory processing. Brittany works under the belief that “kids do well if they can,” a quote from Dr. Ross Greene, and that a large piece of intervention is working to uncover the underlying deficits leading to functional difficulties. When not working, Brittany’s favorite hobbies include horseback riding, spending time with her cat and dog, reading, and playing with her nieces and nephew.