Cranial Technologies

You may have noticed that your baby prefers to turn or tilt their head to one side. Maybe your doctor mentioned torticollis or a tilt of your baby’s head and neck at your recent well visit. This can feel unexpected or overwhelming, but the good news is torticollis is best addressed early and that can start with you at home!

Torticollis (also known as Wry neck) is a condition where a baby’s neck muscles are unusually tight. The SCM muscles connect the head to the collarbone and can cause the head to tilt to one side and turn to the opposite side. Torticollis can form from the infant’s positioning in the womb, a challenging delivery (congenital) or can be acquired after birth from a preference to keep their head in one position. Many parents hope to prevent torticollis before it starts. Although congenital muscular torticollis cannot be prevented, early intervention can shorten treatment and stop further side effects. Treatment earlier than 2 months can reduce treatment time to as little as 4-6 weeks. While treating after 3 months of age, can increase treatment time to 6-9 months.

Acquired torticollis can come from positioning after birth, including a limited variety of positions during play or extended time in devices like strollers or bouncy seats. These devices keep your baby's head in one position for large amounts of time, which can cause torticollis. Encouraging a variety of positions and movement of your infant’s head in all directions during activities, such as tummy time, is important to help combat acquired torticollis.

Parents are often the first to notice torticollis in their babies due to a head position. It is important to address these concerns with your baby's pediatrician.

If torticollis is left untreated, it can present further issues, such as plagiocephaly. Torticollis and plagiocephaly are strongly linked; as many as 90% of babies with torticollis have some degree of plagiocephaly.

While torticollis cannot always be prevented entirely, parents can use everyday measures to prevent torticollis from worsening or forming altogether. Lifestyle changes such as increasing tummy time, switching your baby’s position frequently, and limiting the use of convenience devices can make a big difference.

While it is important to address torticollis, the condition is successfully treated every day. Most often, physical therapy is used to treat torticollis. A physical therapist will work with your baby through repositioning exercises, neck stretches, and activities to improve range of motion and loosen the neck muscles.

Overall, early detection and intervention are the keys to successfully treating torticollis. By working closely with your healthcare provider and following their treatment recommendations, you can help address your baby’s torticollis. Remember, you are not alone! Torticollis is common, affecting 1 in 250 newborns. If you think your baby might have torticollis, consult with your pediatrician or healthcare provider for guidance on treatment.