What is Torticollis?
Do you suspect your child is struggling with torticollis? Has your child’s pediatrician or medical doctor diagnosed your baby with torticollis and you are wondering, “Now what?”
This blog post is here to help you parents by explaining:
What is torticollis?
What causes of torticollis?
What are the signs and symptoms of torticollis?
What are the effects of torticollis in a baby or kid?
What are some tips to help my baby with torticollis?
WHAT IS TORTICOLLIS?
Torticollis (also known as wryneck) is easy to see from the outside. You can recognize it when your child’s head persistently tilts to one side. In general, it can be classified as either muscular, spasmodic or secondary.
Muscular Torticollis: This can result from muscle spasms or tightness in the neck muscles, possibly due to injury, inflammation or irritation.
Cervical Dystonia (Spasmodic Torticollis): This is a neurological disorder where there is sustained muscle contractions causing abnormal postures. The exact cause is often unknown, but it is believed to involve a malfunction in the basal ganglia of the brain.
Secondary Torticollis: This type can be caused by underlying medical conditions or injuries, such as infections, trauma, or damage to the nervous system.
In general, the impact of torticollis varies from person to person.
Babies can be born with torticollis and the signs of torticollis may become apparent within the first few weeks or months of life.
WHAT CAUSES TORTICOLLIS?
While traditional medical doctors are not sure why some babies are born with torticollis and others aren't, as pediatric chiropractors and having worked with many babies and kids, we know that it’s what you aren’t looking for that you don’t see.
When we take health histories in our office for babies and kids there are common events that parents tell us. It might be that baby’s positioning inside the uterus (such as being in a breech position), low amniotic fluid, induction via things like Pitocin or it might be birth trauma, as is the case that often happens when a baby is born via vacuum extraction, manual assistance or forceps.
All of these things can put pressure on a baby's delicate structures, especially the important nerves and muscles of the neck.
It's not uncommon for parents or caregivers to notice signs of torticollis in the early weeks of a baby's life.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF TORTICOLLIS
Signs of torticollis in a baby may become noticeable within the first few months of life. Common signs include:
Head Tilt: One of the primary signs is a consistent tilt of the baby's head to one side. This tilt may be evident when the baby is lying down, sitting or being held. They may always take the same position, posture and head tilt every time they are in the car seat or sleeping.
Limited Range of Motion: Your baby may have difficulty turning their head in one or both directions, leading to limited movement.
Preference for One Side: Babies with torticollis may prefer to look in one direction, making it challenging for them to turn their head to the opposite side.
Flat Spot on the Head: Prolonged positioning due to torticollis can sometimes result in a flat spot on one side of the baby's head. It may also be associated with plagiocephaly.
Difficulty Breastfeeding or latching on one or both sides
General discomfort: Colic, irritability and frequent bouts of crying
Stomach and digestive problems like infantile reflux
Difficulty sleeping
Muscular findings: Swollen and spastic neck muscle
Palpatory findings: Small pea-sized lump in one of the baby’s neck muscles
Cranial and facial bone abnormalities: Uneven asymmetrical facial features often points to torticollis
Gross motor delays
It's important to note that these signs can vary and not all babies with torticollis will exhibit all of these. If parents or caregivers notice any of these signs or have concerns about their baby's head and neck movements, it's recommended to consult with a health care provider like a pediatric chiropractor. Early recognition, care and support can help babies overcome torticollis.
EFFECTS OF TORTICOLLIS
Unaddressed torticollis, especially if it is a chronic and persistent condition, can potentially lead to various long-term effects. The severity of these effects can vary depending on factors such as the type of torticollis, its underlying cause and the duration of the condition.
Some potential long-term effects of unaddressed torticollis may include:
Muscle Imbalances: Persistent torticollis can result in muscle imbalances in the neck and shoulders. This imbalance may affect overall posture and muscle development.
Limited Range of Motion: If torticollis persists, the range of motion in the neck may remain limited. This can impact the ability to turn the head and participate in various activities.
Long term structural changes of the cranium: Torticollis is often associated with an increased likelihood of plagiocephaly.
Orthopedic Issues: Long-term torticollis may contribute to orthopedic issues, such as uneven growth of the skull (leading to asymmetry), changes in the alignment of the spine, or other musculoskeletal problems.
Chronic Pain: Some individuals with unaddressed torticollis may experience chronic pain or discomfort, especially if the condition leads to persistent muscle spasms or tension.
Developmental Delays: In infants, persistent torticollis might contribute to delays in motor development, such as crawling or walking, as well as delays in visual and sensory-motor development.
It's important to note that early care is key with torticollis to minimize potential long-term effects. While traditional care options may include physical therapy, stretching exercises, and, in some cases, other medical interventions, many parents like you have been searching for ways to help their child with torticollis at home.
HELPING YOUR BABY AT HOME WITH TORTICOLLIS
Encourage your baby to turn the head in both directions. This helps loosen tense neck muscles and tighten the loose ones. Babies cannot hurt themselves by turning their heads on their own.
Here are some exercises/tips to try:
Encourage feeding on both sides: When your baby wants to eat, offer the bottle or breast in a way that encourages your baby to turn away from the favored side.
Positional changes: When putting your baby down to sleep, position them to face the wall. Because babies prefer to look out onto the room, your baby will actively turn away from the wall and this will stretch the tightened muscles of the neck. Remember — always put babies down to sleep on their back to help prevent SIDS.
Capture your child’s attention on all directions: During play, draw your baby's attention with toys and sounds to make them turn in both directions.
Tummy time: Lay your baby on your lap for tummy time. Position them with their head turned away from you. Then, talk or sing to your baby and encourage them to turn and face you. Practice this exercise for 10–15 minutes three times a day.
Some parents find success in using these at-home strategies but many still report to us that they don’t fully resolve their child’s challenges. If these do not help your child, are you’re looking for a way to get to the root cause of torticollis and a gentle, noninvasive and safe way to help your child get through the struggle of torticollis and on to thriving, moving and living their best life, consider pediatric chiropractic care.
TORTICOLLIS AND PEDIATRIC CHIRORACTIC CARE
The Pediatric Chiropractic approach to caring for torticollis is so often the one parents feel makes the most sense, and it can be summarized in these three (3) simple and safe steps:
Find and locate the exact location and severity of something called subluxation(s) which is what we find causes the persistence of torticollis
Make safe and gentle neuro-tonal adjustments to relieve the tension and remove the subluxation(s)
Encourage parents to watch closely for a recurrence of the torticollis around growth spurts, teething, colds, illnesses or other stressful events the child may experience
If you want to learn more about our Clinical Process, watch our video where Dr. Nicole and Dr. Rachel walk you through exactly what to expect at Sprout Family Chiropractic.
YOUR NEXT STEPS
If your child is struggling with what you think is torticollis and you want answers and help, Sprout Family Chiropractic located in Kearny Mesa, San Diego is here to help.
Give us a call at (619) 786-4886 for a free 5 minute phone consultation so we can walk you through our New Patient Process.
Not in the San Diego area and are looking for a pediatric chiropractor? Reach out to us so we can help find one in your area!
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