A Parent's Guide to Helping Your Baby with Torticollis and Plagiocephaly
Imagine you're a new parent, holding your precious little bundle of joy in your arms for the first time. Everything seems perfect until you notice something a little off - your baby's head is tilted to one side, and their neck seems stiff. You're concerned, but your pediatrician assures you it's nothing to worry about; it'll get better over time. But as the weeks go by, your baby's head shape becomes flatter on one side, and they start to have trouble with tummy time and other motor skills. That's when you realize that this "nothing to worry about" may be a more significant issue than you thought.
Understanding Torticollis
Torticollis, also known as "wryneck," is a condition in which a baby's neck muscles are tight on one side, causing them to tilt their head and limit their range of motion. Plagiocephaly, or "flat head syndrome," is a condition in which a baby's skull develops an asymmetrical shape due to a preference for lying on one side of the head. Both conditions can cause various difficulties, including visual, feeding, and motor delays.
However, there is hope. Physical therapy can be a highly effective treatment for both torticollis and plagiocephaly. By working with a physical therapist, babies with these conditions can improve their neck and head range of motion, muscle strength, and overall development. This guide will explore the causes, symptoms, and treatments for torticollis and plagiocephaly and how physical therapy can help your baby.
Torticollis(wryneck) is caused by a shortening of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, which runs from behind the ear to the collarbone. This can happen before birth or in the early weeks of life. The exact cause of torticollis is not always clear. Still, it may be caused by a congenital abnormality or a difficult birth.
Symptoms of Torticollis in Babies Include:
● Limited neck range of motion can cause visual delays and make it difficult for your baby to look around.
● A preference for turning their head to one side.
● Feeding difficulties, as your baby may struggle to turn their head to look for the nipple or the bottle.
● Facial asymmetries, as the tight muscles can pull one side of the face differently and cause jaw tightness. You might notice one cheek fuller than the other one or a smaller eye.
If left untreated, infant torticollis can cause long-term effects, such as difficulty with balance, coordination, and gross motor skills like crawling and walking.
Torticollis Treatment with Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is a highly effective treatment for a baby with torticollis. A physical therapist will work with your baby to improve their neck range of motion and muscle strength. PT may include:
● Stretches to lengthen the tight muscles.
● Range-of-motion exercises to help your baby turn their head to both sides.
● Strength-building torticollis baby exercises to improve muscle tone and coordination.
● Exercises to facilitate developmental milestones based on age appropriate skills.
It is important to start physical therapy as soon as possible, as early intervention can lead to a full recovery. With the help of a physical therapist, your baby can regain full range of motion and muscle strength and avoid long-term difficulties.
Understanding Plagiocephaly
Plagiocephaly (flat head) in babies is caused as the baby's head turns to one side by a preference for lying on a single side, which can cause the skull to become misshapen. Some reasons for this to happen, include:
● Congenital abnormalities that affect the shape of the skull.
● Being in the breech position before birth.
● Positioning in the womb.
● Spending much time lying on the back, as per the "Back to Sleep" campaign to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Plagiocephaly Symptoms in Babies
Symptoms of plagiocephaly include facial asymmetries, such as an ear that appears forward, a fuller cheek, a smaller eye, or an uneven forehead. Additionally, plagiocephaly can cause motor delays, such as difficulty rolling over, sitting up, or crawling. These signs often become more apparent as the baby develops and grows.
Untreated plagiocephaly can lead to many long-term effects, such as difficulty with balance and coordination, developmental delays, and even cognitive and behavioral issues. In severe cases, it can also lead to the need for corrective surgery. Therefore, it is essential to address plagiocephaly early on and seek the help of a physical therapist to improve the head shape and muscle strength.
Treating Plagiocephaly with Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can be a highly effective method of treating plagiocephaly in babies to improve neck mobility, muscle strength, and coordination. It can be used with other treatment methods, such as repositioning and a cranial helmet if necessary.
Setting up a Good Foundation for Sensory Processing, Cognitive Skills, and Motor Skills
Physical therapy can also help in torticollis baby treatment as it sets up a good foundation for sensory processing, cognitive, and motor skills. These exercises can help babies develop better body awareness, improve their ability to explore their environment, and strengthen their muscles, which will help them to reach their developmental milestones.
Physical therapy can be beneficial for babies diagnosed with torticollis and plagiocephaly. Still, it can also be helpful for all babies to ensure they get the best foundation for their growth and development.
Torticollis and plagiocephaly can have a significant impact on a baby's development. Parents must be aware of what torticollis and plagiocephaly are and the signs to seek treatment as soon as possible if they suspect their baby may have these conditions. Torticollis physical therapy can be highly beneficial for babies with these conditions, and it's essential to work with a physical therapist who is qualified to work with babies.
If you think your baby would benefit from physical therapy, don't hesitate to reach out. You can schedule an appointment and start on the path to healthy and successful development for your baby.