Baby Neck Tightening
(Torticollis)
What is Torticollis?
Torticollis is a condition where a baby’s neck muscles tighten or spasm, causing the head to tilt or rotate to one side. This can result in a limited range of motion in the neck and pain in the neck when trying to turn the head.
Two Types of Torticollis
Congenital Muscular Torticollis (CMT)
This type is present at birth and occurs when the muscle on one side of the neck (the sternocleidomastoid muscle) becomes tight or shortened, often due to the baby’s position in the womb or during birth.​
Positional Torticollis
This form develops after birth and is usually caused by the baby spending a lot of time lying in one position, which can cause their head to tilt to one side.
Signs of Torticollis in Newborns & Infants
-
Baby’s head tilting to one side, with the chin pointing in the opposite direction.
-
Limited range of motion in the neck (baby may not turn their head fully to one side).
-
Favoring one side of the body (e.g., turning the head only to one side while feeding or playing).
-
Flattening of the head (positional plagiocephaly) from lying in one position.
How MOVE STRONG Can Help
-
Stretching Exercises: Gentle stretches for the neck muscles to improve flexibility and range of motion.
-
Strengthening Exercises: Targeted exercises to strengthen muscles on the opposite side of the neck to restore balance and alignment.
-
Positioning Techniques: Guidance on how to place your baby during tummy time or sleep to encourage head rotation and prevent further flattening of the skull.
-
Neck Support and Manual Therapy: The therapist may use hands-on techniques to help release muscle tension and realign the neck.