Torticollis
Torticollis means "twisted neck": the head tilts or turns and is hard to straighten. It affects infants and children most, but adults can have it too. Physical therapy uses stretching and strengthening to ease pain and restore motion, and Jared Pugmire, PT, DPT, FAAOMPT, Dip Osteopractic, Cert. SMT/DN/VCS evaluates children and adults at our Chubbuck, Idaho clinic.
Two kinds of torticollis
The cause is different, and so is who you are worried about.
Congenital
Present at birth. It can start in the womb when the head and neck sit at an odd angle, or come from a hard delivery, reduced blood supply to the neck muscles, muscle fibrosis or spine differences.
Acquired
Caused by an incident or accident, such as a muscle or nervous system injury after a car accident, a long illness or other trauma.
Developing after birth
Even with healthy positioning at birth, infants sometimes develop torticollis from long stretches on their backs, in car seats, swings, bouncers or strollers, or on play mats.
Waking up with a stiff neck as an adult
Adults wake up unable to turn the head to one side, with pain and limited movement. In many adults torticollis settles on its own within a few days. If yours does not, or it followed a crash or other injury, come in. Neck pain without the twisted position is on Neck Pain, and accident-related neck injury is on Auto Accident & Personal Injury.
For infants and children
Early treatment matters most for children.
Do not wait
If a child goes too long without help, the neck muscles can shorten and lead to permanent disability. Early intervention often gives the best results.
Stretching first
Doctors usually start with stretching exercises that lengthen and strengthen the neck muscles holding the head in the wrong position. Most children respond well to this and have no lasting effects.
If stretching is not enough
Doctors may recommend surgery to lengthen short muscles. Afterward a child may need physical therapy to strengthen the neck and keep the problem from returning. See Post-Surgical Rehab.
Related conditions
We check for things that can come with torticollis: plagiocephaly (an abnormal head shape), spine problems and hip dysplasia.
What physical therapy includes
We start with an assessment of range of motion and any related conditions, then talk through what we found and a possible plan.
- Passive stretches that you or a parent perform and hold
- Active stretches of the neck and shoulder muscles that build the strength to hold good posture
- Stretching and strengthening in the clinic and at home
- Manual therapy and therapeutic exercise where they fit
- Gross and fine motor skills that support head and neck positioning
See a doctor first if
- A baby has a head tilt, a flat spot or a head shape that looks uneven
- A child cannot turn the head to one side
- A stiff neck follows a car accident or other trauma
- A stiff neck comes with fever, severe headache or weakness
Idaho allows direct access to physical therapy, so you do not need a referral from a doctor to begin. Some insurance plans, and Medicare typically, may still require one. If you are unsure, call us and we will check your plan.
Torticollis care in Chubbuck, Idaho
Call or request an appointment at our Chubbuck clinic. We see patients from Chubbuck, Pocatello and the surrounding area.
We see patients at our Chubbuck clinic from Chubbuck and Pocatello, Idaho.