Muscular Torticollis

Muscular Torticollis is a condition seen in infants in which one or more muscles in the neck are tight causing the baby's head to be tilted to one side and rotated to the opposite side. The muscle that is most commonly tight is the Strenocleidomastoid Muscle (SCM), which runs from behind the ear to the collarbone. Physical Therapy is often needed for stretching and positioning so the muscle(s) can regain normal length thus allowing the baby to have normal neck movements.

Left untreated poor and asymmetric neck mobility can impact motor development delaying mastery of motor milestones like rolling, sitting and reaching for toys. Positional Plagiocephaly in which the child develops an asymmetrical head shape is often seen in children with untreated Muscular Torticollis. If the underlying reason for the Positional Plagiocephaly namely the Muscular Torticollis is treated early on the Positional Plagiocephaly will often be reversed without interventions like molding helmets or in rare cases surgery.

If you suspect that your baby has Torticollis it is important to contact the baby's pediatrician and to seek intervention from a pediatric Physical Therapist with training in treatment of Torticollis.