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The Truth about Torticollis
What is it?
Torticollis is a condition that is usually seen in infants under 12 months old. It occurs due to tightening of a specific muscle in the neck called the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle. There is a SCM muscle on each side of the neck. This muscle works primarily to tilt the head one side and rotate it towards the opposite side. If both sides contract together it works to bend the neck forward to tuck the chin. Torticollis occurs when the SCM becomes tight and/weak on one side.
This can occur at birth (congenital muscular torticollis) or it can develop later on (acquired torticollis).
Signs and symptoms
- Child has a persistent head tilt
- Flat spot on one side of the head
- Head turned towards one side
- Bump in the neck muscles
- Difficulty turning head to one side
- Hand preference (using one hand more than the other)
- Rolling and transitioning to one side only
- Trouble with feeding on one side
- Difficulty with tummy time
How to prevent it
- It is important to note that torticollis can happen at birth. In those cases, there is little that can be done to prevent it. Prevention is more applicable for acquired torticollis. However, these same strategies can be useful in treating torticollis.
- Limit time in containers to less than 2 hours a day
- A container would be anything that limits a baby’s movement. Examples are car seats, infant swings, bouncers, boppy pillows, bumbo seat, etc.
- Encourage tummy time from day 1.
- The goal is to achieve a total of 1 hour a day by 6 months. This can be broken down into several small bouts throughout the day.
- Utilize all positions for play including on their belly, back and each side to help strengthen muscles symmetrically.
Blogger Profile
Kimberly Krupack PT, DPT is a Doctor of Physical Therapy graduating from Slippery Rock University. Currently, she works in the private practice setting at Chit Chat Pediatric Therapy in Vidalia, Georgia. In the past, she has worked in the NICU, Pediatric Acute Setting as well as Hospital based pediatric outpatient clinics. Her passion is working with developmental delay and torticollis but she treats a variety of conditions.