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Torticollis Physiotherapy for Infants and Children

If your baby consistently tilts or turns their head to one side, or if your child has neck stiffness that limits how far they can turn their head, a physiotherapy assessment can help. Torticollis sometimes called "wry neck" is one of the most common reasons infants are referred for physiotherapy, and early treatment can make a significant difference.

Understanding Torticollis

Torticollis refers to a tightening or shortening of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM), the large muscle that runs along the side of the neck. This tightness causes the head to tilt toward the affected side and the chin to rotate toward the opposite shoulder.

The most common form seen in infants is congenital muscular torticollis (CMT), which develops in the womb or during birth when the neck muscle is compressed or stretched. It is typically noticed in the first few weeks of life.

Signs that may indicate torticollis include:

  • A consistent head tilt to one side

  • Difficulty turning the head fully in one direction (a preference for looking one way)

  • A firm lump or thickening felt along the side of the neck (common in newborns)

  • Flat spot on one side of the head (positional plagiocephaly), which can develop alongside torticollis

  • Fussiness during feeding, especially on one side

Acquired torticollis can also develop in older children following illness, minor injury, or as a response to muscle guarding.

Why Early Treatment Matters

The earlier torticollis is identified and treated, the better the response to physiotherapy. In infants, the neck muscle is still highly responsive to gentle stretching and handling — and most cases of congenital muscular torticollis resolve well with physiotherapy when started in the first few months of life. Delays in treatment can lead to more persistent tightness, asymmetrical skull shaping (plagiocephaly), and downstream effects on motor development.

If your baby is three months or older and still showing consistent head preference, an assessment is worth booking.

How InHealth Treats Torticollis

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Assessment covers your infant's neck range of motion, muscle tone and flexibility, head shape, developmental milestones, and feeding patterns. For older children, posture and neck strength are also evaluated.

Treatment is gentle, hands-on, and always adapted to your child's age and comfort. A typical approach may include:

  • Gentle manual therapy and soft tissue techniques — to reduce tightness in the neck muscle and surrounding structures

  • Passive stretching: carefully guided movements to increase the range of motion on the restricted side

  • Active movement facilitation: encouraging your baby to actively turn and look in their less-preferred direction through play and positioning

  • Positioning and handling guidance: specific strategies for carrying, feeding, play, and sleep positioning to support the stretching work between sessions

  • Tummy time coaching: supporting safe, effective tummy time, which is important for both torticollis treatment and overall motor development

  • Plagiocephaly monitoring and guidance: if there is an associated flat spot, Kulwinder will advise on whether helmet therapy consultation may be appropriate

Parent education and a clear home program are a core part of every torticollis treatment plan. You will leave each session knowing exactly what to do at home to support your baby's progress.

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