What is Torticollis?

Torticollis means twisted neck and if a child has this condition, their head will be tilted to one side while their chin is turned to the other side. When a baby is born with this condition it is called congenital torticollis. About 1 in 250 babies are born with torticollis.

What causes Congenital Torticollis?

Congenital torticollis is most commonly caused by tightness in the muscle that connects the breastbone and collarbone to the skull.)this muscle is called the sternocleidomastoid muscle). Congenital torticollis is usually diagnosed within the first two months of life.  Babies with torticollis may develop positional plagiocephaly because they sleep with their head turned to one side.

What Therapies for Kids can do

The paediatric physiotherapists at Therapies for Kids can :

• Assist with advice on infant positioning in sleep, play, and throughout the day
• Provide hands-on strengthening and stretching techniques
• Give advice on age-appropriate play-based activities for strengthening
• Use techniques to facilitate muscle activation
• Provide and demonstrate a home programme

What you can do

You can carry out the home programme given by your physiotherapist.  In addition, you can adapt the positions your baby uses during the day when awake and provide maximal tummy time when awake