When a muscle at the front of the neck becomes excessively tight, it causes reduced movement in the neck. It also results in the neck bending to one side and rotating to the other.

Congenital and Acquired Infant Torticollis

Some babies are born with their neck held in this position: this is congenital. Others develop it in the first few weeks or months of life. It can be hard to tell whether a young baby has always had torticollis or not, as symptoms are very subtle before the baby gains head control.

Congenital torticollis can be the result of baby’s positioning in the womb. Birth itself may also be a factor, but evidence is limited. The theory is that as the baby reaches full term and runs out of space, they may have pressure applied to their neck in such a way that causes the muscle to contract. Interestingly, breech babies do not seem any more likely to be diagnosed with torticollis than others.

Acquired torticollis applies to any cases that develop after birth. Some are musculoskeletal, where the muscle tightens up for mechanical reasons. Others can be secondary to infections including meningitis, or some tumours. For this reason your osteopath may advise you to visit your GP to rule out any red flags.

Signs and Symptoms

Head positioning is the main sign. If you notice your baby always turns their head the same way when laying down, this could be an indicator. This is more likely if their head is also slightly tilted. In more extreme cases, you may also be able to see the tight muscle in question. This is the SCM muscle, which runs from just below the ear to the collar bone and top of the sternum.

As the baby is applying more pressure to one side of the head, they may develop plagiocephaly. Treating the neck early may prevent this, but your osteopath will be aware of the link and advise you accordingly.

Torticollis in Adults

Acute torticollis in adults can be a simple “cricked neck”. Sometimes this will self resolve, but other times it needs some help. With adults, we can prescribe exercises to help you progress between appointments.

If you often find yourself with symptoms of torticollis, we can work with you to understand the underlying cause. Awkward sleeping position or pillow height can cause the neck muscles to become tight on one side. Habits like holding something between your shoulder and ear can also encourage the muscle to over-contract.

Your Osteopath’s Role

Your paediatric osteopath will evaluate your baby as a whole, looking for any additional patterns. We can release tight muscles during treatment, and if appropriate, give advice to help you manage your baby’s symptoms at home. We will refer you back to your GP if we suspect there may be any significant problem underlying.

Some parents choose cranial osteopathy for their babies. Some research has been done into the relationship between torticollis and the cranial base.

For torticollis in an adult or an infant, you can make an appointment here.