What is Torticollis?
With the rise in birth interventions and trauma, cases of torticollis are increasing every year. Surprisingly, many cases—especially mild to moderate ones—are often missed by pediatricians. Even subtle signs can impact motor milestones, neurological function, and overall development later in life. Watch this quick video from Dr. Drake to learn the key things every parent should know about torticollis. If your instincts tell you something’s being overlooked, Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care can help uncover the root cause and support your baby’s development.
Torticollis is categorized medically as “congenital” if it develops due to abnormal fetal positioning in the womb. This can result from breech positioning or reduced amniotic fluid. However, the most common type of torticollis is acquired, which is often linked to birth trauma. Interventions such as forceps delivery, vacuum extraction, or C-sections create significant strain on a baby’s head and neck, leading to subluxations that contribute to torticollis. What is a subluxation? Well, it has three components: Misalignment of the spinal vertebra. Fixation, or reduced range of motion, in the affected area. Neurological interference, which creates imbalance and affects overall function. Put simply, the more severe the torticollis, the more significant the subluxation and its impact on your child’s body. If you suspect your child has torticollis, our first recommendation is to seek a more specialized evaluation beyond the standard pediatric exam. Pediatricians can identify physical symptoms, but they don’t have the in-depth training to evaluate the nervous and musculoskeletal systems like a Pediatric Chiropractor or even a Physical Therapist does. If torticollis is diagnosed, most pediatricians will refer families to physical therapy. While helpful in some cases, many parents find the stretches and exercises provided by PTs can be painful for their child and even worsen the condition by triggering a constant state of stress (known as dysautonomia). Traditional treatments like physical therapy or helmets don’t always address the root cause. That’s why parents often see the best results when they choose Pediatric Chiropractic as the foundation of their child’s care plan. Chiropractic care reduces tension and subluxations, making other treatments, like physical therapy, more effective and less stressful for the child. At Innate Family Chiropractic, we love collaborating with your child’s therapy team to achieve maximum results! Our chiropractic approach is simple, safe, and effective: Pinpoint the exact location and severity of subluxations using INSiGHT scans. Use gentle, neuro-tonal adjustments to relieve tension and correct subluxations. Provide guidance to parents on monitoring their child during growth spurts, teething, illnesses, or other stressors that might trigger recurrence.