Chiropractic Care for Infant Torticollis: A Guide for Parents

Torticollis, a condition that restricts an infant’s neck movement and causes the head to tilt and rotate, is a relatively common concern for new parents. Also known as “twisted neck” or “wryneck,” torticollis can be alarming, especially when parents notice their child’s head frequently tilting to one side. While several treatment options are available, pediatric chiropractic care has gained attention for its gentle approach to addressing the root causes of torticollis.

This guide will explore what infant torticollis is, why early intervention is important, and how chiropractic care offers effective support.

• What is Infant Torticollis?
• Why Early Intervention for Infant Torticollis is Key
• Can a Chiropractor Help with Torticollis?
• What Can Parents Expect from Chiropractic Care?
• Tips for Managing Infant Torticollis at Home
• When to Consult a Pediatric Chiropractor

What is Infant Torticollis?

Infant torticollis occurs when an infant’s neck muscles contract asymmetrically, leading to a tilt and/or rotation of the head. The condition is usually the result of tightness in the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM), the muscle that runs along the side of the neck and allows for head rotation and tilting. Torticollis can occur during fetal development, often due to constraints within the uterus, which may affect the positioning of the neck muscles.

Sometimes, it results from birth trauma or an asynclitic, or asymmetrical, positioning of the infant’s head during delivery.

Symptoms of Infant Torticollis:

• Head tilting and rotating to one side or a limited range of motion in the neck
• Preference for looking in one direction
• Flattening on one side of the head (positional plagiocephaly) due to consistent head tilt
• Difficulty breastfeeding on one side

In most cases, parents start noticing symptoms within the first few weeks to months after birth. Although torticollis can be mild and resolve on its own, more severe cases may require targeted intervention to prevent long-term issues with head shape and neck movement.

Why Early Intervention for Infant Torticollis is Key

Early intervention is crucial for preventing the condition from affecting a child’s overall development and mobility. Left untreated, torticollis can lead to secondary issues like skull asymmetry (plagiocephaly) and nervous system and muscle imbalances, which can impact posture and even motor development milestones like rolling over, crawling, and sitting.

Early intervention helps to:

• Alleviate muscle tightness in the neck
• Reduce the risk of plagiocephaly and other skull asymmetries
• Promote balanced muscle development
• Promote healthy nervous system development
• Encourage normal head rotation and mobility, allowing the baby to explore their environment without restriction

Pediatricians often recommend that parents begin working with healthcare professionals as soon as torticollis is detected. Treatment might include physical therapy exercises, stretches, and gentle chiropractic care to support proper alignment and mobility in the cervical spine while restoring optimal nerve function in the area.

Can a Chiropractor Help with Torticollis?

Chiropractic care for infants focuses on gentle, specialized techniques tailored to a baby’s unique physical needs. Chiropractors trained in pediatric care understand how to assess and adjust the delicate structure of an infant’s spine and neck.

When working with an infant who has torticollis, chiropractors use a blend of gentle adjustments, cranial work, soft tissue releases, and guided stretching to help relax the tightened muscles, improve range of motion, and encourage alignment in the cervical spine.

Chiropractic Techniques for Infant Torticollis:

• Gentle Adjustments: Pediatric chiropractors use light fingertip pressure to make subtle adjustments in the cranium and cervical spine, aiming to relieve tension in the affected area. This process can alleviate some of the muscle tightness contributing to torticollis symptoms and restore balance to the system.
• Massage and Muscle Work: A key component of chiropractic care for torticollis involves working with the SCM muscle. Light massage techniques, combined with gentle stretching exercises, can help release tightness and improve range of motion in the neck.
• Guided Stretching and Parental Guidance: Chiropractors may teach parents safe, effective stretching exercises to continue at home, complementing in-office treatments. This can speed up recovery and provide parents with confidence in managing their child’s condition.

One case study published in the National Library of Medicine described a child with torticollis who received chiropractic treatment involving spinal manipulative therapy, massage, and stretching. After three chiropractic treatments over a four-week period, the child’s torticollis symptoms had nearly resolved. The results showed that the infant’s range of motion and neck positioning were significantly improved, with no symptoms observed at a follow-up visit 26 months later.

What Can Parents Expect from Chiropractic Care?

Parents may wonder what the chiropractic experience will be like for their child. It’s worth noting that pediatric chiropractic care is very different from what adults experience. For infants, chiropractic adjustments are extremely gentle and precise, involving only the lightest pressure. Babies often find these sessions comfortable and may even appear relaxed or curious during treatment.

It is very important to note that you must seek out care from a pediatric chiropractor with the appropriate training and experience to work with your infant. At Novo Chiropractic, we know how important it is for parents to find a trusted pediatric chiropractor, and are proud to be 1 out or 6 practices certified by the Academy Council of Chiropractic Pediatrics. Dr. Chrisi Kelly also has over 10 years of experience working with babies and treating torticollis with gentle and effective pediatric chiropractic care.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Torticollis:

• Non-invasive Approach: Chiropractic care doesn’t involve any medications or surgical procedures. Instead, it supports the body’s natural healing processes, making it a safe choice for young infants.
• Holistic Focus: Pediatric chiropractic care considers the baby’s overall musculoskeletal alignment as well as their nervous system health. By ensuring the spine and neck are properly aligned, chiropractic care can support optimal physical development and support your child’s nervous system.
• Complementary Therapy: Chiropractic treatment can complement other therapies, such as physical therapy, by enhancing neck flexibility and range of motion and helping to reduce any stress on their overall nervous system so that they can better respond to therapies and essentially heal faster.

Parents often notice improvements in their child’s head positioning and range of motion after a few treatments, although the length of treatment will vary based on the severity of the condition.

Tips for Managing Infant Torticollis at Home

In addition to professional treatment, parents can help their child manage torticollis by creating supportive environments and practicing gentle stretches and positioning. Here are some strategies that may be beneficial:

• Tummy Time: Regular tummy time helps strengthen the neck muscles and encourages babies to lift and turn their heads, naturally promoting flexibility. Supervised tummy time can be gradually increased each day as the baby grows more comfortable.
• Side-Lying Time: In addition to tummy time, placing your baby on their side opposite their neck tilt can allow gravity and the weight of their head to gently stretch the affected area while also relieving pressure on the side of the head that may be starting to flatten from their torticollis.
• Alternate Head Positioning During Sleep: To prevent or alleviate skull flattening, parents can encourage their baby to alternate head positions during sleep. If a baby favors looking in one direction, placing toys or sounds on the opposite side can encourage them to turn their head.
• Gentle Neck Stretches: Your chiropractor or pediatrician can demonstrate gentle stretches to improve the baby’s range of motion. These exercises should only be done as instructed by a healthcare provider to ensure safety.
• Use Babywearing to Support Alignment: Holding the baby in a front carrier can help improve neck strength and alignment, allowing the baby’s muscles to work against gravity in a controlled way.

When to Consult a Pediatric Chiropractor

If your child has been diagnosed with torticollis, or you suspect they might have it based on head tilt and restricted neck movement, consult a healthcare professional as soon as possible. Pediatricians and chiropractors trained in infant care can assess your child and determine whether chiropractic treatment might be beneficial.

Torticollis can often be managed effectively with early intervention, and chiropractic care offers a gentle, non-invasive treatment option that works alongside other therapies. By addressing the condition in infancy, you can support your child’s physical development, ensuring they have the flexibility and freedom to explore the world around them with ease.

Chiropractic care for infant torticollis provides a holistic, gentle approach to helping babies with this condition. With early intervention and a combination of professional and at-home practices, infants with torticollis can often experience significant improvements. For parents seeking a natural, supportive approach to managing their baby’s torticollis, pediatric chiropractic care offers a safe and effective option, helping infants achieve better neck mobility and comfort as they grow as well as a well-balanced nervous system.