Turning the Tides of Torticollis: Easing the Early Weeks of Mom Life
Congenital Muscular Torticollis (CMT) is on the rise, affecting ~ 10% of babies.
This condition occurs when the sternocleidomastoid, a muscle along the side of the neck, becomes tight and causes the baby to turn their head toward to one side and/or have a tilt position of their head toward a favored side. This positional head preference will be noted in almost all positions as well as in carriers, such as car seats and strollers. Torticollis can occur for a few reasons but the most common include: breech position in utero, use of forceps during delivery, premature delivery, small maternal birth canal, and positioning post-utero.
P.S. we hate the smart bassinet sleeper for this reason - click here to read why : https://www.instagram.com/p/CydljMUOAq_/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
It is important to note that torticollis does not "go away" on its own. It can affect the baby’s whole body! The unique head/neck positioning related to Torticollis can also contribute to feeding difficulties, trunk and shoulder tightness, and difficulty attaining infant motor skills, if not addressed. There are a few common signs that whole body tightness is involved, and this often shows up in how the baby develops their movement skills. It is NOT "normal" if your baby only rolls to one side, prefers to reach with only one arm, crawls with one leg hitched up or dragging, or pulls to stand using only one of their legs. These can be symptoms of unresolved or untreated torticollis.
If your child is currently being treated for Torticollis and the practitioner is only addressing the neck - you need a second opinion! Effective physical therapy for Torticollis will address the child's WHOLE body and not just the neck. This is because the fascia of all of their muscles is connected. Taking the whole-body approach prevents recurrence of the Torticollis, prevents delay with motor skills, and helps your infant move happier!
Did you know that babies with this condition have a 98% improvement rate within 6 weeks if treatment is started by 1 month of age?
If treatment is started when the baby is older than 1 month of age, treatment will still be effective, but can be expected to take longer to achieve full range of motion and strength, as well as symmetry with all motor skills. Our pediatric physical therapists will work with you and your child specifically to address any asymmetries related to Torticollis and help prevent its recurrence and prevent delays with motor skills, such as rolling, crawling, and walking.
Deformational Plagiocephaly, or Flat Head Syndrome, occurs in infants as a result of disproportional forces being placed on one area of their skull while they are developing in-utero, or postnatally if they spend too much time on one position. This may occur because the infant's skull bones are softer and still developing, and may commonly co-occur with a torticollis. If the baby spends the majority of their time lying on their back or side, a flat spot can develop on that part of the skull, due to the malleable nature of their skulls.
Did you know that physical therapy can help correct this? In fact, the Pediatric Section of the American Physical Therapy Association recommends parent education as the primary prevention strategy and a combination of physical therapy and/or helmet orthosis (depending on the child’s presentation) as the primary treatment options. A helmet is ONLY needed if your baby’s head shape is not responding to physical therapy and re-positioning strategies AND their head measurements indicate that it is needed. The BEST time to intervene is NOW. Success rates with repositioning alone are higher if intervention occurs within the first 2 months of life.
What are some strategies to prevent the development of a flat spot? (we recommend starting these in early infancy!)
Alternate positions that your baby spends time in while they are awake, and avoid excessive container time (ex: excessive time spent in car seats, swings, seats, etc).
Change positions when feeding, carrying, and holding your baby.
Provide supervised tummy time while awake to help your baby develop head control and an opportunity for no external pressure to be applied to their skull.
Need more help?
Our team of pediatric physical therapists at All Together Wellness are highly trained in the most up to date evidence-based practice for treating Torticollis and Plagiocephaly for babies at any age. We utilize a whole-body approach to treating Torticollis and an individualized process in determining the need for a helmet if head shape is a concern. We can also meet with you virtually or in person if you have questions or concerns about preventing these conditions from occurring, if you are an expecting mother or have a very new infant.
All Together Wellness is a direct access clinic, which means short wait times without the hassle of physician visits and insurance challenges. This allows you to get the help you need for your baby sooner for quicker developmental improvements and shorter treatment times. With our unique model, we can even come to you in those early postpartum days to reduce the burden of traveling around the city with your newborn. Book a call today!
