Straightening Things Out: How Early Intervention Can Help with Torticollis
A few weeks ago, we discussed the causes of tethered oral tissues. Today, I want to focus on a condition often seen with tethered oral tissues, torticollis. Torticollis is a condition in which an infant's neck muscles become tight, causing the head to tilt to one side and limiting the baby's ability to move their neck fully. This can occur due to positioning in utero, prolonged positioning after birth (we aren’t fans of any sort of container for this reason), or related to tethered tissues that are restricting in one side or area leading to a restriction in the cervical range of motion. Early treatment of torticollis in infants is essential to prevent long-term complications and ensure proper development.
While often times, a wait and see approach is suggested, the reality is, there are many strong reasons not to wait if you suspect your child has an asymmetrical posture affecting full neck mobility or head shape. Early intervention in children with torticollis:
Promotes normal development: Early treatment helps in the normalization of the infant's neck posture and prevents the progression of the deformity. This is crucial as it helps promote the normal development of the infant's neck muscles and prevents long-term complications such as flat head syndrome, scoliosis, or shoulder asymmetry.
Enhances motor development: Infants with torticollis may have difficulty with motor development, such as crawling, walking, and sitting up. Early intervention helps to address these issues, and infants can achieve their developmental milestones in a timely manner.
Prevents discomfort: Torticollis can cause discomfort and pain in infants, leading to fussiness and irritability. Early treatment can help alleviate these symptoms, resulting in a happier and more content infant.
Improves feeding: Infants with torticollis may have difficulty with feeding as they may prefer to feed on one side due to the neck muscle tightness. Early treatment helps in correcting the posture, which can improve feeding and prevent complications such as feeding difficulties and failure to thrive.
Prevention of need for helmet: often times prolonged positioning will impact head shape and early intervention to reverse head flattening may keep your child from needing a helmet. When treatment is started too late, helmets are often unavoidable.
Shorter treatment time: research supports that children referred to therapy early require much shorter treatment times—less time out of your day and money out of your pocket by being proactive.
In conclusion, early treatment of torticollis in infants is essential to prevent long-term complications and ensure proper development. Early intervention can help promote normal development, enhance motor development, prevent discomfort, improve feeding, and shorten treatment time and intensity. Parents or caregivers who suspect their child may have torticollis should consult with a pediatrician or physical therapist as soon as possible to receive early treatment. In the state of Florida, you don’t even need a referral to see a pediatric physical therapist who can check to see if your child has a true restriction and start you on a plan to improve outcomes soon. Direct access often minimizes time when even a few precious weeks count and gets your child on the path to improved development today!
If we can help you with your child’s neck restriction, feeding issues, or developmental milestones, reach out via our website to get in and get started now!
