Congenital Torticollis: What You Need to Know

Congenital torticollis, also known as wry neck, is a condition in which an infant is born with a tilted head due to a shortened or tightened neck muscle. With expert care from our pediatric physical therapy clinic, Peak Physical Therapy works to treat your infant’s congenital torticollis. In this blog, our pediatric physical therapy specialists are giving you details regarding what congenital torticollis is, diagnosis procedures, and how our pediatric physical therapy clinic works to treat congenital torticollis. Read on to learn more.

What is congenital torticollis?

As mentioned before, congenital torticollis is the involuntary bending of the neck that is present from birth or six to eight weeks old. Most commonly, congenital torticollis presents itself on the right side more often than on the left side of the neck. Common symptoms for congenital torticollis include:

• Head tilts to one side with the chin pointing to the opposite shoulder
• Muscle tension
• Asymmetrical neck strength
• Limited range of motion in the neck
• Flattened side of the face and head (plagiocephaly)
• Poor head control
• Soft lumps in the affected neck muscle
• Postural preferences

Typically your baby’s healthcare provider will run a series of tests during an examination. X-rays and ultrasound exams aid primary care pediatricians in diagnosing your child’s congenital torticollis. Pediatric physical therapy is a common recommendation after diagnosis.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Upon a thorough physical examination of your infant’s symptoms, our pediatric physical therapy specialists develop a comprehensive care plan to treat your infant’s congenital torticollis. Physical therapy Braintree MA treatments for congenital torticollis include:

• Gentle stretching
• Soft tissue massage
• Neck strengthening
• Postural habit correction
• Muscle tension correction

Beyond in-office procedures, our pediatric physical therapy experts teach parents proper stretch techniques. Additionally, we provide cues to help eliminate excessive pressure on the skull. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary. If your child requires surgical correction for their congenital torticollis, our pediatric physical therapy clinic will work alongside your child’s primary care team to align care plans.

Peak Physical Therapy | Pediatric Physical Therapy Clinic

As the leaders in pediatric physical therapy care, the Peak Physical Therapy team dedicates themselves to treating your child’s congenital torticollis. Our pediatric physical therapy clinic offers one-of-a-kind care using industry-leading rehabilitation services. With the help of our pediatric physical therapy professionals, your child can experience desired results that will impact their development. For more information about our pediatric physical therapy clinic, visit our website.