What is Torticollis? What is Plagiocephaly?
Torticollis is a common condition in babies (affecting 1 in 60 infants) that causes a baby's head to tilt to one side. It is a very treatable condition, particularly if caught early.
The most common type is congenital muscular torticollis, which occurs when a baby's sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle shortens. The SCMs are the two large neck muscles that connect the skull to the breastbone and collarbone.
Symptoms of torticollis in babies include:
Tilting the head to one side
Avoiding turning the head in one direction
A lump in the neck muscle
Difficulty feeding on one side
A flat spot on one side of the head (plagiocephaly)
Unequal or asymmetrical appearance of the cheeks, forehead, and ears
Early intervention is so important! 98% of infants who have torticollis can achieve normal range of motion within 1.5 months of starting physical therapy if they are diagnosed before 1 month of age - 98%!! Delaying treatment until after one month of age prolongs intervention to approximately 6 months. Delaying treatment until after six months of age can require treatment for up to 9-10 months with progressively fewer infants achieving full neck range of motion. Plagiocephaly is flattening of the head most often seen on the back or side. It is a common symptom of torticollis and a helmet may be needed to correct head shape in older infants.
The consequences of unresolved torticollis are numerous:
· In the short-term, babies can have feeding challenges which results in mothers switching from breast to bottle.
· During the first year of life, babies may not achieve motor milestones as expected for rolling, crawling, pulling to stand and walking.
· As children age, they are at risk for chronic headaches, jaw malalignment, decreased shoulder mobility, poor bilateral integration, oculomotor deficits and fine and gross motor delays.
If you or your pediatrician observe any of the above symptoms, please reach out to our office at office@sensationalkids-therapy.com or (202) 244-8089, ext. 0 so we can schedule a physical therapy evaluation. Our very experienced physical therapist will assess the degree of torticollis and provide recommendations for stretching and positioning that will improve range of motion and functional mobility. In addition, if plagiocephaly is suspected, she will assess the degree of flattening using Pediametrix technology (www.softspot.ai), a state-of-the-art FDA approved tool that requires additional training. She will make recommendations for a helmet if needed. We partner with Infinite Technologies for helmet therapy using KidCap (https://www.infinitetech.org/what-is-a-kidcap).
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