What is Torticollis?

February 13, 2025

What is Torticollis?

What is it?

Roughly 200,000 cases of Torticollis a reported annually, primarily affecting infants. It is a twisting of neck due to tight muscles (mostly involves the Sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle)that causes the head to rotate and/or tilt to one side. Torticollis can lead to plagiocephaly, which is a flattening of the head. It's best to address Torticollis as soon as possible (which is typically around 4-6 months of age) to start with shaping helmet due to rate of head growth.


What Can Cause it?

  • A breech position in-utero and little in-utero motion
  • Can be from an injury (birth or after), vigorous movement, sleeping in awkward positions or devices (car seats, swings, etc.), and neck spasms
  • Can be secondary from slipped facets, herniated discs, viral or bacterial infections


What Are The Symptoms


  • Neck pain (hard to verify in babies)
  • Inability to turn/tilt head symmetrically to both sides
  • Muscle spasms
  • Reflux
  • Difficulty feeding
  • Difficulty with positioning


What You Need To Know + Tips!


  • Early intervention is key! If you have concerns, talk to pediatrician and seek physical therapy services
  • If not treated it can affect a child's: vision, sensory processing, feeding, fine/gross motor skills, shoulders, trunk and hips
  • Stretch! Helpful stretches include:
  • Neck rotation
  • Neck side bending
  • Neck extension
  • Varied your child's positioning to back, tummy side-lying, and sitting. Pay special attention to the way your child moves in opposite of their muscular tightness
  • Use toys for motivation to get a child to move in different ways
  • Limit time in single device such as a stroller, swing, or car seat




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