TREATING TORTICOLLIS WITH PHYSIOTHERAPY

“Torticollis" is a term used to describe a condition characterized by a head tilt. One of the most common causes of torticollis in babies is Congenital Muscular Torticollis (CMT), which occurs in about 1 in 250 newborns.

 Babies with CMT have neck tightness that causes a baby to tilt their head and simultaneously rotate their head in the “opposite direction”. Babies with CMT are often resistant to there head being repositioned and unable to turn their head fully to the opposite side. They sleep and rest their head rotated to one side resulting in a flat spot on the back of their head (plagiocephaly).  The exact cause of CMT is not known, but it is more likely to occur after a difficult birth or when the baby is crowded in the womb.

Early intervention treatment for Torticollis is highly effective!

If you suspect your baby may have Torticollis, it's important to seek early attention from your GP, Paediatrician, or Paediatric Physiotherapist. In most cases, your doctor will refer you to a Paediatric Physiotherapist for treatment.

Early treatment is highly effective and has a success rate of over 90% if started before the baby is 6 months of age. The goal of treatment is to restore normal neck movement, prevent gross motor delays, and correct a flat head if present. This can be achieved through specific play based exercises and recommendations that stretch and strengthen the neck, trunk, and shoulder muscles.

If you are concerned about our baby’s head tilt. Contact us to have a paediatric physiotherapist assess your child in the comfort of your own home.