Torticollis // Plagiocephaly

What is it?
Torticollis is a condition when the head is malpositioned due to the neck being tilted and/or rotated to one side due to muscular imbalances and nerve dysfunction.

How does it develop?
Torticollis can develop from a variety of causes. It can either be congenital (born with) or acquired (occurs after birth). Some causes include immobilization in the womb, prolonged limitations in certain positions, hypotonia (low muscle tone), excessive container use, oral dysfunction, cranial nerve dysfunction, vision issues, GERD, and other diseases/injuries.

What are the symptoms to look out for?
-Your baby’s head tilts to one side and chin tilts to the other side.
-Limited movement of your baby’s head and neck.
-One of your baby’s shoulders is higher than the other.
-Neck/pelvic muscle tightness or stiffness.
-Uneven (asymmetrical) facial features.

What is it?
“Plagiocephaly” is an umbrella term used to describe different types of skull deformations, including flat head syndrome, or positional plagiocephaly. Flat head syndrome is a condition in which your baby’s head is misshapen or develops a flat spot. “Scaphocephaly” is a long and narrowed head shape, common with premature babies or babies that were positioned breech in utero. Another common head shape is “brachycephaly.” It is characterized by flatness across the back of skull and wide above the ears.

How does it develop?
Our babies have soft moldable heads. When too much time is spent on the back (back/supine sleeping), the pressures can form a flat spot/misshapen skull. Too much time in a container, like a swing or bouncer, can also put too much pressure on one part of the skull. This is especially so if the baby has muscle weakness in the neck and has difficulty with range of motion and turning their neck. Any time a baby's head and neck mobility is restricted, you are at risk for pressures being placed on the head and the skull.