Understanding Infant Torticollis and How Physical Therapy Can Help

Infant torticollis occurs when the muscles on one side of your baby’s neck are tighter than the other, causing the head to tilt or rotate to one side. You may notice your baby:

Prefers looking in one direction
Tilts their head slightly to one side
Has difficulty turning their head evenly
Prefers nursing on one breast only

This condition affects roughly 3 in every 100 babies, and it’s often congenital, meaning the baby is born with it. Torticollis can develop due to positioning in the womb, limited space during pregnancy, or sometimes after birth due to minor trauma, muscle strain, or infection.

Why Early Treatment Matters

While infant torticollis can look concerning, the good news is that it’s very treatable, especially when addressed early. Without treatment, however, torticollis may lead to:

Flat spots on the baby’s head (positional plagiocephaly)
Delayed motor milestones like rolling or crawling
Imbalanced muscle development in the neck and shoulders

How Pediatric Physical Therapy Helps

Gentle stretching to lengthen tight neck muscles
Massage therapy to relax the affected area
Strengthening exercises to support proper head and trunk control
Positioning techniques for feeding, playtime, and sleeping
Parent education and home exercise programs to continue progress between sessions

When to See a Therapist

If you notice your baby’s head consistently tilts to one side or they seem to favor one direction, it’s a good idea to schedule a physical therapy evaluation. Early therapy can prevent complications and help your child reach developmental milestones smoothly.

Call to schedule your initial evaluation today!

Our expert team of therapists at Reddy Care Physical, Occupational & Aquatic therapy, located throughout Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn and Manhattan can help .

Great Neck: 475 Northern Blvd., Ste.11, Great Neck, NY 11021 Tel. (516) 829.0030

Farmingdale: 309 North West Dr., Farmingdale, NY 11735 Tel. (516) 420.2900

Woodbury: 150 Woodbury Rd., Woodbury, NY 11797 Tel. (516) 367.1111

Deer Park: 2024 Deer Park Ave., Deer Park, NY 11729 Tel. (631) 243.0247

North Shore Towers: 272-78 Grand Central Pkwy., Floral Park, NY 11005 Tel. (516) 344.0030

Bayside - Aquatic Therapy: 208-32 Cross Island Pkwy., Bayside, NY11360 Tel. (718) 224.8480

Oceanside: 2421 S Long Beach Rd., Oceanside, NY 11572 Tel. (516) 992.2282

New York City: 250 West 93rd Street, New York, NY 10025 Tel. (212) 580.0125

Bay Shore: 1470 Sunrise Highway Bay Shore NY, 11706 Tel:(631)-446.1480

Amityville: 565 Albany Ave Amityville NY, 11701 Tel:(631)-532.0906

In-Home Physical & Occupational Therapy (Home Care): Tel: (516) 829.0030

*Home therapy servicing Long Island, Queens, Staten Island, Brooklyn, the Bronx & Manhattan*

Sources: Resource 1 Resource 2

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Written by:

Dr. Vinod Somareddy, PT, DPT

President

Reddy Care Physical Therapy

Reddy Care Occupational Therapy

Reddy Care Aquatic Therapy

Author

Reddy Care Physical and Occupational Therapy

Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy is an outstanding specialty service providing exceptional care and state-of-the-art treatments for the residents of Farmingdale and Great Neck, New York. The combination of innovative exercise programs, manual therapy, and technology together with the expertise of every member of the team enables Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy to provide services that ensure superior clinical outcomes and consistently high patient satisfaction.

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