Torticollis

Torticollis is a common condition in infants where the neck muscles are tight or shortened on one side, causing a baby’s head to tilt to one side while the chin turns to the other. It often develops from positioning in the womb, restricted movement before birth, or how a baby tends to lie or feed after birth — and it frequently appears alongside plagiocephaly, since limited neck movement can lead to a baby resting on one side of the head more than the other.

Left unaddressed, torticollis can affect a child’s range of motion, feeding, motor development, and head shape over time. The good news: caught early, it typically responds well to repositioning techniques, stretching, tummy time, and physical therapy, with cranial orthotic support added when head shape is also affected.

Browse the video and infographic below for a closer look at the signs of torticollis and what early treatment looks like at Strive.