At Unbreakable Physiotherapy, we support families with gentle, evidence-based care for babies who show a preference for turning their head one way or have tightness in their neck muscles. If you’ve noticed your baby always looking in one direction or tilting their head, we’re here to help.
What is torticollis?
Torticollis means “twisted neck” and refers to a condition where a baby’s head tilts to one side and their chin turns to the other. This is usually caused by tightness in a neck muscle, most often the sternocleidomastoid.
It is a common issue in babies and is often noticeable from birth. While it can look alarming, early treatment is very effective. Addressing torticollis early can help prevent related issues such as delayed head control, flattening of the head (plagiocephaly) or difficulty with motor skills.
Signs of torticollis
You might notice:
- Your baby always turns their head to the same side,
- A persistent head tilt to one side
- Fussiness or discomfort when trying to turn their head the opposite way
- Trouble with tummy time or delays in early motor skills
- A flat spot on one side of the head due to a positional preference
What causes torticollis?
Torticollis often begins before or during birth due to a tight or shortened neck muscle. This can happen because of the baby’s position in the womb, or from a difficult delivery especially where the use of forceps was necessary. Some babies may also develop torticollis after birth from spending long periods with their head turned to one side.
Most of the time, this is a simple muscle tightness, though sometimes this can be attributed to a muscle being too long rather than too short, or even having a lump inside the muscle belly.
It is important to identify the most likely cause of your child’s torticollis to ensure the most appropriate treatment is delivered.
What you can do at home
There are plenty of simple ways to support your baby at home, and most can be worked into your usual routine, though some require a little extra effort.
Make the preferred side boring to encourage your baby to look toward their non-preferred side. Achieve by placing toys, mobiles or your own face on that side during play or feeding.
Push more tummy time throughout the day to build neck and upper body strength. If your baby finds this difficult, try positioning them on your chest or across your lap to make it more comfortable.
Change how you carry your baby, ensuring to use a variety of positions to help stretch and strengthen both sides of the neck. Carrying your baby flat in your arms (like a football) can even count as tummy time in the early stages.
If you’re unsure where to start or if your baby seems uncomfortable, we’re happy to guide you with simple, practical techniques.
When to seek help
The earlier torticollis is treated, the easier it is to improve. If your baby consistently turns or tilts their head to one side, or avoids turning in one direction, it’s worth having an early assessment. Early support can assist to identify the root cause of your baby’s preference, to ensure treatment efforts are effective and reduce distress for both you and your child. Secondary complications of torticollis, including plagiocephaly and motor delay are avoidable with targeted early intervention.
How Unbreakable Physiotherapy can help
We offer an evidence-based approach to help your baby move confidently and comfortably. Our treatment is active and family centred to ensure we always aim for the least invasive treatment option.
We provide:
- A full assessment of neck movement, head shape and early development
- Identification of contributing factors
- Gentle stretching, strengthening and play-based strategies
- Support for tummy time and alternatives if this is challenging
- Monitoring and follow-up based on your baby’s progress