At Mountain Land Physical Therapy Partners, we treat pediatric torticollis, or wry neck. It can be painful and result in the permanent shortening of the involved muscles.
The skilled physical therapists at Mountain Land Physical Therapy Partners are trained to help your child improve their range of motion, strengthen their neck muscles and develop good head and body control.
What is torticollis?
Torticollis means “twisted neck.”
There are typically two types of this condition:
- Congenital torticollis: present at birth
- Acquired torticollis: caused by an accident
For some children, torticollis happens in the womb in the weeks before birth, where the head and neck are positioned at an odd angle. Other children are born with the condition because of difficulties during delivery, a decreased blood supply to the neck muscles, muscular fibrosis or congenital spine anomalies. Even if a child is born with healthy head and neck positioning, infants sometimes develop torticollis when they spend too much time lying on their backs, sitting in car seats, swings, bouncers or strollers or lying on play mats.
While the majority of people who experience torticollis are infants or children, anyone can experience the neck pain and limited range of motion associated with it. A muscle or nervous system injury can suddenly make it difficult to straighten your neck or position your head properly. This type of injury may be associated with car accidents, extended illnesses or other trauma.
Signs & symptoms of torticollis
Common signs and symptoms of pediatric torticollis include:
- Head tilt or rotation to one side
This is the most obvious symptom of torticollis. The baby’s head may be consistently turned to one side or tilted at an angle, making it difficult for the baby to turn their head to the opposite side. - Reduced range of motion to move the baby’s head
Infants with torticollis may have difficulty moving their head in all directions, resulting in a reduced range of motion. - Flattening on one side of baby’s head
Torticollis can cause pressure on one side of the baby’s head, leading to a flat spot or an uneven shape. - Asymmetrical posture
Babies with torticollis may adopt an asymmetrical posture when lying down or sitting, with one shoulder or hip appearing higher than the other. - Baby may prefer feeding from one side only
Babies with torticollis may prefer feeding from one breast or specific bottle position, as turning their head to one side may be more comfortable for them. - A noticeable tight muscle on one side of the baby’s neck
In some cases, a tight muscle may be felt on one side of the baby’s neck. This can be a sign of a more severe case of torticollis. - Delayed development milestones
If left untreated, torticollis can cause delayed development milestones such as crawling, sitting up or walking.
Typical infant torticollis treatments
For many adults, torticollis often resolves on its own within a few days.
However, infants or small children typically require medical intervention. If left untreated, they may experience permanent disability due to shortening of neck muscles. Fortunately, 80 percent of children respond well to non-invasive stretching exercises and experience no lasting effects.
How physical therapy helps
Physical therapy is the primary treatment for pediatric torticollis, focusing on increasing range of motion, decreasing muscle tightness and strengthening gross and fine motor skills. A physical therapist will first conduct an assessment to evaluate your child’s range of motion and check for associated conditions such as abnormal head shape (plagiocephaly), misalignment of the hip joints (hip dysplasia) or spine issues.
A custom treatment plan typically includes manual therapies such as:
- Stretching and lengthening
Passive stretches (held by the therapist or caregiver) and active exercises help improve posture and head positioning. - Positioning and handling
Specialized techniques to encourage the baby to use and strengthen weaker muscles during daily activities. - Parent education
A customized home program to ensure progress continues between office visits.
Early intervention often provides the best results, speeding up the process toward developmental milestones, and helping prevent the development of flat spots on a baby’s head.
Surgical intervention and recovery
If non-invasive treatments do not achieve the desired results, doctors may recommend surgery to lengthen the shortened muscles and return the child’s head to a normal position. Following surgery, torticollis physical therapy is vital to strengthen the neck muscles and prevent the problem from recurring.
By working closely with a physical therapist, you can ensure your child overcomes the limitations of torticollis to achieve their full physical potential.
Schedule your pediatric evaluation
Your child deserves high-quality care you can trust. Our clinics follow shared, evidence-based standards and use the latest treatment methods to support safe, effective healing for many types of conditions.
Find a Mountain Land Physical Therapy Partners location near you in Utah, Idaho or Montana and schedule your pediatric therapy evaluation today.