8/13/2021Why Is My Baby’s Head Tilted?

What is Torticollis?

Torticollis is a condition that occurs when the muscle that runs from the breastbone and collarbone up and toward the back of the neck becomes tight, weakened, or thickened, causing the chin to point toward one shoulder, while the head tilts toward the opposite shoulder. The most common form of the condition is congenital muscular torticollis (CMT), which affects infants and is generally observed within the first 2 months of life.  There are 5 forms of the condition:

• Congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) is the most common form of the condition. It affects infants and is generally diagnosed within the first 2 months of life. CMT is often caused by birth trauma, or by sleeping or remaining in 1 position for a prolonged period of time.
• Postural torticollis is diagnosed when the infant’s head tilt comes and goes. It is diagnosed within the first 5 months of life and often is the result of a lack of a variety of positions, such as when the child is consistently placed in a car seat or other baby “container” for extended periods of time.
• Ocular torticollis is caused by a vision problem in one eye, causing the individual to tilt his or her head to see better.
• Spasmodic torticollis (wryneck) occurs in older children and adults. It can be caused by infection, inflammation, trauma, or the side effects of certain medications and/or drugs, such as amphetamines.
• Acute torticollis occurs when a child or adult bends or twists the neck too far, or experiences some type of trauma. There may be pain when the head is moved from side to side or up and down; the neck muscle may be tender to touch.

How Is It Diagnosed?

Torticollis in adults is generally diagnosed by a physician. Experienced pediatric physical therapists may diagnose the need for treatment of congenital muscular torticollis and positional torticollis in infants and children; however, most states in the United States require a prescription from a physician in order for the physical therapist to provide treatment.

Once the type of torticollis is determined, your physical therapist can provide treatment. In most cases, torticollis is a muscular problem, and physical therapists are musculoskeletal experts.

How Can a Physical Therapist Help?

Regardless of the patient’s age, physical therapy is the primary treatment for all forms of torticollis. Physical therapists provide treatment to address the impairments caused by torticollis. Early treatment produces the best outcomes. If not treated, torticollis can become a permanent condition.

*Sourced from ChoosePT.com.  Read entire article HERE.