Chiropractic Care for Torticollis

What is Torticollis?

Torticollis is a condition caused by an involuntary contraction of muscles in your baby’s neck. They can be born with this condition or it can be acquired over time. This condition will often cause your baby’s head to tilt to one side and rotate towards the opposite side. Sometimes, baby’s will not have both components of this condition and will only tilt or prefer to look one direction.

Symptoms of Torticollis:

• Head tilt (ear is closer to one shoulder)

• Preferring to look one direction (left or right)

• One shoulder is higher than the other

• Has a flat spot off center on the back of their head

• Uneven or asymmetrical facial features

• A noticeable lump on one side of the neck

• Baby feels “stiff” or “tense”

Causes of Torticollis:

• Most common: the way your baby was positioned in-utero (breech or cramped can increase the risk of this condition)

• Use of birth interventions such as vacuum or forceps

• A traumatic birth

How is Torticollis Diagnosed?

Dr. Kara will perform an exam where she will check your baby’s neck range of motion. If your baby’s range of motion is restricted on one side then the diagnosis is torticollis. She will also feel the neck muscles for spasms/tightness.

How Is Torticollis Treated?

Luckily, the treatment for torticollis is low risk and very effective. Dr. Kara will use a combination of massage techniques to release the tight muscles, gentle chiropractic adjustments to ensure the joints are moving efficiently and to achieve normal range of motion, as well as rehab exercises to further help your child. Rehab exercises will consist of stretching the tight muscles at home as well as strengthening exercises to opposite muscles to achieve symmetry. It is important to note that each child’s condition will vary in severity and thus they will present with different symptoms. Torticollis does not just affect the neck muscles, the body will compensate often causing muscles to become tight in the shoulders and back as well. Quite often babies with torticollis will often have flat head syndrome as well which Dr. Kara will also address and treat in your appointments.

When Is The Best Time To Start Treatment?

The best time to start treatment is as early as possible. There is absolutely no benefit in waiting to start treatment. Research has shown us that the earlier we start care, the quicker we can resolve the torticollis. When you start care early, you can expect to be in treatment for a shorter period of time. Typically, the older the baby is and the longer they have torticollis, it will take longer and more treatments to resolve. Dr. Kara sees and treats babies as early as a few days old with this condition.