Building Body-Spaital Awareness
Does your child’s head tend to tilt in one direction? Do they have difficulty turning their head to both sides? Do they get excessively irritable during tummy time? Torticollis may be an underlying cause — and with the help of a physical therapist, this condition can be treated and mitigated.
Smart Start
What is Torticollis?
Torticolis is a condition where a child’s head is tilted or twisted to a specific side often due to a muscle tightness or imbalance. It is most common in infants and can be congenital (present at birth) or acquired (develops later). Some common causes of torticollis include:
- Intrauterine positioning (e.g., cramped space in womb)
- Positional preference (favoring one side for sleeping or feeding)
- Vision problems (leading to head tilt for compensation)
- Genetic or neurological conditions (rare)
Have Q’s? We are here to help
Signs of Torticollis
In general, signs of torticollis are often noticed based on the positioning of a baby’s neck. Additional signs may include:
- Head consistently tilted to one side with chin turned to the opposite
- Flattening of one side of the head (plagiocephaly)
- Uneven facial features or ear alignment
- Baby prefers to look only one direction
- Difficulty turning head equally to both sides
- Irritability during tummy time
- Delay in gross motor milestones (in severe or untreated cases)
If you suspect torticollis in your infant or young child, don’t worry — a physical therapist can evaluate their muscle tone and build a plan of care to address the torticollis and build strength. Early intervention is key— and there is a high success rate for those treated at young ages.
Wondering About Developmental Milestones?
Have questions about your child’s development, or wondering if a certain diagnosis may be a fit? Try out our developmental screening tool— it’s a fast, free way to get a snapshot of your child’s progress on his or her developmental milestones.