If you’ve noticed your baby’s neck seems stiff or their head is often turned to one side, they could be experiencing torticollis. This common condition can impact your child’s growth and overall well being, but the good news is that physical therapy offers simple effective treatment. Learn more about what torticollis is, why it’s important to address, and how our pediatric physical therapists can help your child overcome it.
What Is Torticollis?
Toe walking is where a child consistently walks on the balls of their feet instead of first touching the ground with their heels. While occasional toe walking is normal in early childhood, especially as your child starts learning how to walk, persistent toe walking beyond about 2 years of age can indicate an underlying developmental or medical condition.
- Congenital torticollis is the most common type which occurs at birth. You may not notice it until your baby is a few weeks old and starts to move their head more often.
- Acquired torticollis is less common and usually occurs in babies 4-6 months or older. It can happen suddenly or gradually.
How Can Torticollis Impact My Child’s Development?
Good posture is vital for effective movement. If your baby’s head is always tilted to one side, then as they grow, they will learn to move while compensating for this posture. This can lead to tightness in other parts of their body like their arms and hips, too.
Torticollis can also impact your child’s feeding and breathing. You can experience this first hand if you tilt your head to the side and try to eat or drink something—it’s much harder!
Lastly, if your baby is always looking at the world at an angle, it can impact the development of their visual motor skills. With the world tilted on its side, it’s hard to accurately judge distance and coordinate the body’s movements.
How Physical Therapy Can Treat Torticollis
Pediatric physical therapy uses gentle exercises and stretches to release tight neck muscles, improve their range of motion, and promote their proper alignment. We work with you and your baby to address torticollis early on to prevent developmental delays and discomfort. We can also give you tips on how to help your child overcome torticollis and prevent it from happening. With routine physical therapy sessions, your child can build the strength and flexibility they need to hold their head up high and explore the world around them.
Frequently Asked Questions about Torticollis
Here are some questions that parents frequently have about torticollis. If you have a question that isn’t answered here, feel free to give us a call at (479) 226-3409 and our team will be happy to help.
Will my baby grow out of torticollis?
Sometimes, this condition can improve as your baby grows if you help by changing their resting positions and using different types of carriers. However, we recommend you work with our physical therapists to ensure your child gets the support they need for their overall wellbeing.
When should I seek treatment for my child’s torticollis?
You can get an evaluation as soon as you notice any signs of torticollis, including persistent head tilting or difficulty turning the head in both directions.
Is torticollis painful for my child?
While torticollis itself may not be painful, the tightness and restricted movement can cause discomfort and lead to other struggles over time. Treatment will alleviate any discomfort so your baby can move with ease.
How long does torticollis treatment take?
Treatment time is different for every child depending on their unique circumstances. At your child’s evaluation, our physical therapists will be able to give you an estimate of how long the treatment will take.
Schedule an Evaluation
If your child has torticollis, Little Hands at Play is here to help. Call us at (479) 226-3409 to schedule an evaluation with our physical therapists and give your child the support they need for healthy development.
