Torticollis

Torticollis services offered in Charlotte, NC

If your child has a stiff or twisted neck that interferes with the crucial development of their fine motor skills, A Grade Therapy in Charlotte, North Carolina, can help. Occupational therapist Aaron Cockburn and the skilled team offer gentle, individualized care for torticollis and work hard to restore your child’s muscular balance and put their development back on track. To schedule your in-home or virtual visit, call the office today.

Torticollis Q & A

What is torticollis?

Torticollis is a condition causing a child’s head and neck to be abnormally positioned, often twisting to one side and unable to fully turn to look the other way.

It’s usually diagnosed in infants, and it can delay gross motor skill development as your child matures.

What symptoms of torticollis should I look out for?

Parents usually notice issues with an infant’s neck within a few months of their birth, particularly once they start becoming stronger. You may observe:

Low tolerance for tummy time or difficulty holding head up when on their stomach
Only being able to look one way or having a strong preference for one side
A soft bump on their neck muscle, which usually resolves independently
A head tilt, with one ear closer to their shoulder
Facial asymmetries like having one ear higher than the other
Struggling to turn their head to the side
Positional plagiocephaly: a flat spot on the head due to lying on only one side
Movement limitations preventing them from following you with their eyes
Difficulties with breast- or bottle-feeding

If you notice any of these symptoms, having your child evaluated is a good idea.

What causes torticollis?

Torticollis can be caused by abnormal muscular development. Congenital muscular torticollis is a type of torticollis often resulting from a birth injury or abnormal womb positioning. In some cases, there’s no clear cause.

Some lifestyle habits can result in acquired torticollis. These include sitting in car seats or other restricted positions for long periods.

How can therapies help torticollis?

Working with a physical therapist can help your child:

Strengthen their neck muscles
Improve symmetry and postural control
Correct muscle imbalances
Ease muscle tension for better body alignment
Improve their pain-free range of motion

A strengthening and stretching program can address imbalances and get your child’s motor development back on track. If they’ve developed a flat area on their head, your provider can develop a positioning program to correct these issues.

Your child’s treatment program can integrate play strategies that encourage them to explore movement on their less-preferred side, gradually building their strength and flexibility in gentle ways.

Early intervention is vital for torticollis, and A Grade Therapy can help. To learn more about your options and schedule an in-home or virtual visit, call the office today.