Torticollis needs a new definition! Most pediatricians and therapists state that 'torticollis' is a diagnosis of the muscles of the neck, specifically the sternocleidomastoid muscle.
While neck muscles are most definitely involved, torticollis itself is a symptom of the largely ignored core problem of oral dysfunction and restrictions, and specifically tongue function.
While neck muscles are most definitely involved, torticollis itself is a symptom of the largely ignored core problem of oral dysfunction and restrictions, and specifically tongue function.
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Torticollis literally means 'wry neck', but it doesn't describe the whole body effects we reliably see.
Torticollis always begins in utero, even if initially at birth it's not noticeable, with time, growth and the effects of gravity, it will become more prominent. Pediatricians and therapists have made arbitrary 'types' of torticollis, such as postural, congenital and acquired, all of this is absolute nonsense to anyone truly specializing in therapy with babies.
I was employed at the #1 children's hospital, Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center, for 17.5 years, working in a wide variety of inpatient and outpatient settings, primarily with newborn to precrawling infants. It was here where I was trained by the 'best of the best' who had developed protocols and algorithms for assessing and treating babies with torticollis. I found it to be entirely lacking in all areas, and developed an approach that matches infant development and the lack of midline control, movement and organization required for optimal development.
If you are a parent with a baby who has been given a diagnosis of torticollis, seek therapy services that directly address the core issue and don't settle for a stretching program, as this approach is often more harmful than helpful.
If you are a therapist working with babies who have a diagnosis of torticollis, consider joining my live, virtual course, Torticollis: the Red Pill Mentorship. I will teach you exactly what to do to address the real problem and for excellent outcomes.
Torticollis always begins in utero, even if initially at birth it's not noticeable, with time, growth and the effects of gravity, it will become more prominent. Pediatricians and therapists have made arbitrary 'types' of torticollis, such as postural, congenital and acquired, all of this is absolute nonsense to anyone truly specializing in therapy with babies.
I was employed at the #1 children's hospital, Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center, for 17.5 years, working in a wide variety of inpatient and outpatient settings, primarily with newborn to precrawling infants. It was here where I was trained by the 'best of the best' who had developed protocols and algorithms for assessing and treating babies with torticollis. I found it to be entirely lacking in all areas, and developed an approach that matches infant development and the lack of midline control, movement and organization required for optimal development.
If you are a parent with a baby who has been given a diagnosis of torticollis, seek therapy services that directly address the core issue and don't settle for a stretching program, as this approach is often more harmful than helpful.
If you are a therapist working with babies who have a diagnosis of torticollis, consider joining my live, virtual course, Torticollis: the Red Pill Mentorship. I will teach you exactly what to do to address the real problem and for excellent outcomes.