Does your baby have limited neck movement or keep their head tilted to one side? If you answered yes, your baby may have torticollis (or wryneck). This is when the child twists or tilts his or her neck to the side, angling it so the chin is turned to the other side. 

Let’s dive deep into what infant torticollis is, what causes it, the signs and symptoms to look out for, and what can help treat torticollis.

What is Infant Torticollis and what causes it?

Being a parent, your newborn’s health is undoubtedly the top priority. You want them to grow and develop in a healthy manner. But in some cases, after birth, babies develop a head tilt. When an infant is born with its head turned to one side and has difficulty moving it to the other, this is known as infant torticollis. Torticollis can happen due to positioning in the womb or after a difficult childbirth. It can be a real pain in the neck for newborns. It is very uncomfortable for them. Babies with torticollis can have difficulties with latch or breastfeeding on one side, as it hurts the infant to turn to the other side to nurse.

The longer torticollis is left untreated, the harder and longer it takes to resolve. If left untreated, it can also lead to –

• Coordination difficulties
• Learning difficulties
• Developmental delays
• ADHD
• Vision issues
• Neurodevelopmental issues

What are the symptoms of Torticollis?

If your baby has torticollis, you may notice the following signs or symptoms:

• Tilt the head in one direction
• Chin points the opposite way of the head tilt
• Neck muscle tightness or stiffness
• Swollen neck muscles
• Decreased neck range of motion
• The baby may show frustration when unable to turn their head
• May develop a flat spot on their head from keeping their head in the same position when lying down
• The trouble with breastfeeding and/or preferring one breast during feeding
• May have a soft lump in your baby’s neck muscle

How Does The Chiropractor Treat Torticollis?

Chiropractic care is an easy and safe way to detect and help with infant torticollis. Babies with torticollis usually experience subluxations in the upper cervical spinal area. Misalignment of the upper neck puts pressure on the nerves that innervate the muscles in the neck, which causes a limited range of motion, muscle tension, and typically a head tilt preference. This causes torticollis and can worsen with time. 

Chiropractic care focuses on reducing cervical subluxations. It helps to bring the spine into proper alignment, thus allowing the nervous system to communicate more swiftly with the body. This allows the weakened, stiff neck muscle to relax and stretch out, improving the range of motion and thus eliminating the torticollis. 

You might worry that chiropractic care will be too aggressive for your baby or that they must undergo a painful adjustment before their torticollis will disappear. But, you can rest assured, that infant chiropractic care is extremely gentle and safe.

At Blossom Family Chiropractic, we aim to help your little one start their new life on the best note. Your baby’s comfort is our number one priority.

As one of St. Petersburg’s top Pediatric chiropractors, we’re always striving to provide you and your kids with the best care and experience. If you are in the Tampa or St. Pete area and are looking for a chiropractor, contact us to schedule an appointment to see how we can help your kiddos!