Stretches for Torticollis

Torticollis (wry neck) is a symptom that causes a child's chin to be rotated to one side and his head to the other side. Disorders that can cause torticollis include congenital muscular torticollis, acquired torticollis, atlanto-axial rotary subluxation, and spasmus nutans (head tilt, nystagmus and head nodding).

Congenital muscular torticollis occurs when the sternocleidomastoid muscle on one side of your infant's neck becomes tighter than the other, pulling the head and neck to that side. This can occur when scar tissue forms in this muscle so that it can't grow properly. Congenital torticollis is sometimes the consequence of injury to the muscle during delivery, although it is also thought that it may occur prior to delivery and be a contributing cause to a difficult birth and not its consequence. It can also be caused by congenital abnormalities of the cervical spine, so sometimes xrays are required in evaluating newborns with torticollis.

If the right sternocleiomastoid muscle is affected, the infant will hold his head with his chin rotated to the left and his head rotated to the right. In addition to the head posture, you may be able to feel a lump in the affected muscle, which is usually most noticable between 2 and 8 weeks of age. Unlike acquired toticollis, congenital muscular torticollis is usually painless.

Congenital muscular torticollis usually improves with range of motion and stretching exercises and massage, but it can lead to positional plagiocephaly and facial asymmetry if your child's head lies in the same position all of the time. If it isn't quickly improving, then your child may need to be evaluated by a physical therapist. In cases that aren't improving by 12-18 months, a surgical release/lengthening of the sternoidcleidomastoid muscle may be required.

Here are some stretching exercises recommended to help with Torticollis. These exercises are provided by KeepKidsHealthy.com:

• Instructions for Stretching and Positioning Left Sternomastoid Torticollis: stretching, side bending, rotation, positioning, carrying and other suggestions to treat your child with congenital torticollis.
• Instructions for Stretching and Positioning Right Sternomastoid Torticollis: stretching, side bending, rotation, positioning, carrying and other suggestions to treat your child with congenital torticollis.

If you have any questions or need more information regarding torticollis, please fill out the "contact me" form below or call 412-860-4557.

Gary Tate Jr.
President and Founder
Alexandra's P.H.A.T.E.
Pittsburgh, PA
412-860-4557
gary@alexandrasphate.org