Feel Good Techniques for Torticollis
Treating Torticollis with Feel Good Techniques
Have you noticed your baby prefers to turn their head to one side or always keeps it tilted? This could be a sign of a condition called torticollis, a common issue among infants. As pediatric physical therapists at Progress Through Play, we specialize in helping babies in Denver, CO with torticollis feel more comfortable in their bodies while supporting their developmental milestones.
Torticollis occurs when a baby has tight muscles in their neck and body, causing their head to tilt or turn to one side. While the tightness is most noticeable in the neck, it often extends to other areas of the body due to tension in the fascia—the connective tissue that surrounds muscles.
Babies with torticollis may experience:
Difficulty turning their head evenly in both directions.
A strong preference to look one way during play or sleep.
Flattening on one side of the head (plagiocephaly) due to their head position.
Challenges with tummy time and other developmental milestones.
Difficulty nursing on one side
Historically, torticollis was treated with stretches targeting only the neck muscles. While effective to a degree, these stretches weren’t always well tolerated by babies (hello, tears!), leaving parents feeling stressed about therapy.
But here’s the thing: traditional stretching only addresses the muscles, leaving tension in the fascia (connective tissue throughout the body) unaddressed. At Progress Through Play, we take a more holistic approach—one that babies and parents love!
We believe therapy should be as gentle and tear-free as possible while still being effective. That’s why we combine feel-good techniques with functional exercises to create a comprehensive and baby-friendly treatment plan.
Here’s what our approach looks like:
Myofascial Release and Massage:
We use gentle techniques to release tension in the fascia and muscles, helping your baby feel more aligned and comfortable.
Craniosacral Fascial Therapy:
This specialized therapy supports relaxation, eases tension, and encourages better head and neck alignment.
Strengthening and Functional Exercises:
Once alignment improves, we focus on building strength through tummy time and other activities that support your baby’s milestones.
These techniques are not only effective but also well tolerated by babies. Many infants enjoy hands-on care, and parents appreciate the calming nature of these sessions. The best part? This holistic approach typically leads to faster results than traditional stretching alone.
Parents often tell us how much they love seeing their baby feel good during therapy—and the results speak for themselves! Babies gain better alignment, develop stronger neck and core muscles, and progress toward milestones with confidence.
If you think your baby might have torticollis, here’s what you can do:
Early intervention makes a huge difference. Consult a Pediatric Physical Therapist to assess your alignment, movement, and development. Additionally, gentle tummy time helps strengthen your baby’s neck and core muscles. While different positioning strategies help work on evenly alternating your baby’s head position during play, feeding, and sleep.
At Progress Through Play, we’re here to make therapy a positive experience for both you and your baby. With our gentle, effective techniques, we’ll help your little one gain the alignment and strength they need to thrive.
If you’re ready to get started, reach out to us today! Let’s make therapy a tear-free, empowering journey for your family.