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Does your child seem to have an abnormal head or neck position? This condition, called torticollis, can result in the permanent shortening of the muscles that are involved. Fortunately, Southern Pediatric Therapy Clinic can improve your child’s range of motion and strength. Contact our Occupational therapists today to find out more or to schedule your consultation.
What is torticollis?
The word torticollis literally means "twisted neck.” There are typically three types of this condition, with the most common type being identified shortly after birth. For some children, torticollis happens in the womb in the weeks before birth when 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 laying on their back, sitting in car seats, swings, bouncers, or strollers, or laying on play mats.
Typical Torticollis Treatment
It is vital to seek treatment on behalf of infants or children who are experiencing this type of head or neck positioning. If left too long without intervention, children may experience permanent disability due to shortening neck muscles. One of the first treatments doctors recommend is stretching exercises designed to lengthen and strengthen the neck muscles holding the head in the incorrect position. Eighty percent of all children respond well to this type of treatment plan and do not experience any lasting effects. Occupational therapy can help to strengthen their neck muscles and prevent the problem from recurring.
How Occupational Therapy Treats Torticollis
Occupational therapy services are designed to increase range of motion and decrease muscle tightness. and strengthen muscles needed for proper neck and head positioning. Our Therapist will first conduct an assessment to test your child's range of motion and evaluate any other conditions that often accompany torticollis. These may include plagiocephaly (abnormal head shape), spine problems, or a misalignment of the hip joint (hip dysplasia). Once the evaluation is complete, the therapist will discuss their findings and a potential treatment plan.
Speech and occupational therapy may include performing stretching exercises both in the office and at home to increase your child’s range of motion and strengthen the neck muscles. These may include passive stretches as well as active stretches of the neck and shoulder muscles designed to strengthen muscles that are used to maintain good posture. Even in infants who do not seem to be strong enough to reliably hold their own heads, these stretches and exercises can correct the problem quickly. In fact, early intervention for torticollis often provides the best results.
If your child is experiencing incorrect positioning of the head or neck, contact Southern Pediatric Therapy Clinic today to schedule an appointment. Our occupational therapy staff can evaluate your little one and provide you with a customized treatment plan designed to treat their torticollis.
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