How Pediatric Therapy Can Help Correct Torticollis
With proper treatment, your child’s prognosis is excellent
Have you noticed a permanent tilt in your newborn infant’s head? It’s likely torticollis, a condition that affects up to 16% of newborns. The good news is that torticollis responds exceptionally well to treatment, and at Skills on the Hill in Washington, DC and Arlington, VA, we’re here to help resolve your baby’s tilt.
Torticollis, also called wry neck, causes an infant’s head to tilt to one side while their face is turned in the opposite direction. There are several potential causes, and in most cases, it occurs shortly after birth, usually between 2 weeks and 6 months.
Often, the condition corrects itself, but it’s still important to have the therapists at Skills on the Hill provide guidance. In situations where the condition does not self-correct, early therapy is crucial. Fortunately, with proper treatment, 90% – 95% of children improve before the first year of life, and the chance of improvement goes up to 97% if treatment begins in the first six months.
If you’re concerned about the tilt in your child’s neck, schedule an appointment with Skills on the Hill today! We’re experienced in working with both parents and children to correct conditions such as torticollis.
Types and causes of torticollis
There are three main types of torticollis:
- SCM or “tumor” torticollis: There is no actual tumor with this type of torticollis. Instead, a tissue bulge develops in the infant’s neck, resulting in muscle tightness and a lack of neck flexibility. This is considered the most severe form and can take the longest to treat.
- Muscular torticollis: This type of torticollis causes muscle tightness and limited range of motion in the neck but lacks the tissue bulge.
- Positional torticollis: This is a form of torticollis in which the child exhibits muscle imbalance or a strong preference for a certain head/neck position but does not exhibit muscle tightness or limited range of motion. It’s the mildest form of torticollis and the easiest to treat; however, if treatment stops too early, children may retain their positional preference.
The causes of torticollis vary, but generally speaking, the cause is generally related to the muscles of the neck, such as muscle spasms or abnormalities in the muscular tissue. If your child was born with the condition, the cause might be related to positioning in the womb.
In some cases, the condition may be caused by spinal abnormalities rather than muscular ones. Rarely, the cause may be neurological.
At Skills on the Hill, our therapists will examine your child to determine the type and cause of your children’s condition so we can recommend the best course of treatment.
How we treat torticollis
Pediatric therapy is the recommended treatment for torticollis, and we offer several options at Skills on the Hill. We also try to incorporate therapy into play time as much as possible, making treatment gentle and even fun!
Your infant’s treatment plan may include any of the following hands-on options:
- Passive range of motion stretches, in which we’ll gently move your baby’s neck through its natural range of motion
- Active range of motion stretches, in which we encourage your child to actively move their neck on their own
- Muscle strengthening exercises, in which we’ll help develop your child’s muscle strength with simple movements, toys, or other specialized equipment
- Myofascial release, in which we gently massage the connective tissue in your child’s neck to relieve tightness
- Education, in which we’ll provide you with the tools you need to improve your child’s outcomes
What to expect at your appointment with Skills on the Hill
If you suspect your child may be experiencing torticollis, it’s essential to make an appointment with Skills on the Hill as soon as possible. Remember, the earlier you begin treatment, the greater the chances of resolving the issue.
At your initial appointment, one of our pediatric therapists will conduct a thorough examination to determine the specific cause of the torticollis as well as the severity of the condition. Please be prepared to share your child’s health history since birth!
Once we understand your child’s particular needs, we can develop a hands-on treatment program. You will likely need to bring your baby in for regular visits at our clinic so our therapists can administer treatment and check your child’s progress.
In addition, we’ll provide you with ways to continue treating your child at home, including exercises you can do together, modified feeding positions, and symptoms to watch out for.
Schedule an appointment with Skills on the Hill today!
At Skills on the Hill in Washington, DC and Arlington, VA, our pediatric therapists are trained to provide care to children of all ages, including infants. With regular therapy, your baby’s torticollis should resolve, ensuring your child leads a long, healthy life.
Schedule an appointment with us today!
Sources:
https://www.choosept.com/guide/physical-therapy-guide-torticollis