Torticollis is a condition in which a baby's head stays tilted to one side. Infant torticollis is due to a tight neck muscle. Some children are born with torticollis, but it most often develops after birth. Early intervention is key for successful outcomes. Our specially trained Physiotherapist can provide an evaluation at our clinic between 3 and 18 months of age. The majority of children who develop an abnormal shape of the head do not require surgery and are otherwise healthy.
Non-surgical therapy options for treatment include:- specific stretching and strengthening exercises that you can do with your child
- Increased tummy time to improve neck strength
- Physiotherapy with special exercises to increase stretching the neck
- Helmet therapy to reshape the skull
Parents and caregivers should always place babies on their backs to sleep as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics to prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) even with a possibility of a flat head.
Physiotherapy provide treatment to restore as much normal movement, posture, and function as possible. With proper treatment, 90%-95% of children improve or achieve an acceptable neck range of motion.
- No side effects
- Cost-effective
- Customized to treat the underlying cause
