Torticollis

Torticollis occurs when the sternocleidomastoid muscle (on the side of the neck) becomes tight and shortened on one side of the neck which leads to the infant or child demonstrating a preference of looking in one direction and using one side of their body more often than the other. Due to this tightness the child can also present with a head tilt to one side and then facial asymmetries and a misshaped head, such as flattening of the back of the head, can occur. Congenital torticollis occurs in-utero and can be due to the position of the infant in the uterus or to trauma during the birth process. Acquired torticollis occurs after birth and the cause is unclear. Due to the back to sleep program however, the incidence of torticollis in infants has been increasing. Physical therapy is often the first step in the treatment and management of torticollis.