Head Shape
Torticollis
Infant torticollis (wry neck): congenital versus acquired causes, SCM tight band, stretching treatment, and links to flat head and helmet care.
Torticollis—sometimes called wry neck—literally means “twisted neck” in Latin. In newborns, torticollis can follow the baby’s position in the womb or a difficult birth. There are two types: congenital (true) torticollis and acquired torticollis. Treatment is the same for both and includes stretching exercises.
True torticollis results from a small fibrous tightness in one of the side neck muscles, the sternocleidomastoid (SCM). This muscle knot is called an SCM tumor—from Latin for “lump.” The name should not frighten you; it is not a cancer.
Acquired torticollis develops after birth from mild shortening related to how the baby lies, or from bruising during delivery.
Some babies with torticollis also have developmental hip dysplasia, meaning the hip joints may not develop properly.
Torticollis Treatment
So, what should you do if your baby has torticollis? Simple stretching exercises help loosen short, sometimes tight muscles. Seeing a baby with a tilted head or difficulty turning can be upsetting for parents, but most babies do not feel pain from torticollis. Even so, early treatment matters so it can be resolved as soon as possible.
If you are concerned about your baby’s ability to turn the head fully in both directions, evaluation by a pediatric physiotherapist is appropriate.
For more information on torticollis and finding the right treatment approach, please read our informative article.
For questions about related head-shape concerns and cranial helmet therapy, contact CranioWell Orthotics & Prosthetics Centers.
