Medical Professionals
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Torticollis: What Is It and How Do You Treat It? By Allison Elbeblawy PTA
What is torticollis?
Torticollis, also known as wry neck, means “twisted neck.” It is most often caused by the tightening of the muscle that connects the breastbone and the collarbone to the skull. This muscle is called the sternocleidomastoid or SCM, which is the common abbreviation. The SCM assists in rotation and side bending of the neck. Who does it affect and why?
Torticollis most commonly affects infants. When a baby is born with the condition, it is called congenital muscular torticollis. It can also occur after birth and sometimes later on in life, which is called acquired muscular torticollis. Congenital torticollis most likely happens in utero and can be caused by the way your baby is positioned in the womb, with his/ her head tilted to one side. It can also be due to injury of the muscle during delivery. Although it can look painful, it usually is not. Acquired muscular torticollis in an infant can be caused by positioning. If the baby tends to sleep with his/her head towards one side or is positioned to one side during feeding, the SCM can tighten. It can also be caused by an injury to the head or neck, which can cause the muscle to spasm. In much less common cases, the condition can be caused by abnormalities of the cervical vertebrae (bones in the neck). The bones in the neck can either be abnormally formed, fused together, or both. This condition is called Klippel-Feil syndrome. This condition can also Your safety and health are our first priority
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affect a child’s hearing and kidney function. The recommended stretching exercises performed to treat congenital and acquired muscular torticollis are ineffective and can be dangerous for a child with Klippel-Feil syndrome. It is important to have a thorough examination by your baby’s pediatrician to determine the cause of your child’s symptoms.
recommended that your child be seen by the physical therapist or physical therapist assistant as prescribed by the doctor. Treatment can include stretching exercises, various positioning to promote head control, and soft tissue massage to the affected muscle. Treatment should always incorporate various forms of play, whether it be visually using toys or through playful sounds or song that will stimulate the baby and encourage What does it look like? him/her to turn toward the desired side. This can Torticollis is usually spotted in the first also assist in keeping your baby calm and relaxed couple months of the child’s life. It can be very to achieve a successful treatment. prominent and can look like your child’s head is A home program including the stretching and tilted to one side and has limited neck movement. positioning will be given by the therapist for the Another common sign can be a small bump on parent to continue with at home. Positioning the side of the neck. In more severe cases, it can throughout the day during play time, feeding be accompanied by positional plagiocephaly (flat time, and while sleeping and resting are also head), which happens when the child consistently very important for the child’s recovery. “Tummy sleeps and rests his/her head to one side, flattening time” is also very important as it allows for the that side of the skull. The condition’s severity can strengthening and stability of the neck muscles. also be very mild and may be difficult to detect If muscular torticollis is detected early within when looking at your baby. There is no need to the first couple of months of life, and consistent worry if you don’t notice because your pediatrician treatment through physical therapy and the most definitely will. Your pediatrician will provide instructed home stretching program is followed, a physical examination and possibly order X-rays then results and to determine which type of torticollis your child improvements may have. Depending on the type and severity, will begin to be your doctor may order other diagnostic testing. seen. At All-Care Treating torticollis with physical therapy Physical Therapy Physical therapy is often prescribed by the Center, we can doctor and is a successful intervention of the provide one-oncondition. A physical therapist will perform an one treatment initial evaluation of the child, which can include that will assist in measurements and palpation. Then the therapist the recovery of will develop a specific treatment plan for your this condition. child. After the plan of care is developed, it is
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Allison Elbeblawy PTA Physical Therapy Assistant
Allison Elbeblawy is a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) in All Care Physical Therapy. She holds an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science from the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Union County College. Allison works closely with supervising Physical Therapists to implement treatment programs in order to decrease pain, increase strength, and improve ADL function to improve the patient’s quality of life. She has a focus in outpatient orthopedic care where she utilizes various manual therapy techniques and therapeutic exercise interventions. Allison has worked with patient’s of all ages ranging from 6 weeks to 96 years, but has found a passion for working with babies and children with Special Needs. Allison strives to give each patient she works with the best quality of care while upholding a positive attitude and compassion.
May/June 2021
