Torticollis means "twisted neck," and it’s also sometimes called Wry Neck. If a child is born with this condition it is called congenital torticollis. When a baby has congenital torticollis, their head will be tilted to one side, while the chin is turned to the other side. Congenital torticollis is most often due to tightness in the muscle that connects the breastbone and the collarbone to the skull. Many times, this tightness developed because of the way the baby was positioned in the uterus. If you have seen a baby with torticollis, you may notice that the baby holds their head to one side and has limited neck movement. Another telltale sign is a small bump on the side of their neck. While it may look painful, it usually isn't. Congenital torticollis is usually diagnosed within the first two months of a baby's life. Even if parents don't spot it, a pediatrician will.
We understand this news might be upsetting, but there is help for your little one, physical therapy. At Advanced Physical Therapy Center, our caring therapists will thoroughly evaluate your child before starting treatment. We also teach you how to do the stretching and positioning exercises with your child. The moves are not complicated, and they are very gentle. It is essential that your child sees a licensed therapist so they can teach you the proper technique to continue these exercises at home.
After your initial prescription for physical therapy is completed, your physician and physical therapist will decide if you need to continue physical therapy or if you will be discharged to a home exercise program.
This information is provided as a learning resource for the benefit of our patients. It is NOT INTENDED to replace personal consultation with your medical professionals.
