New Torticollis Exercises

I just wanted to do a post on some of the new torticollis exercises we learned for Kellyn at our most recent appointment at the torticollis clinic at Children's National Medical Center. Please note that my daughter has right torticollis. Since her torticollis is mainly attributed to her lack of neck strength on her left side, they are having us focus more on neck strengthening exercises.  I'm so thankful that they provided me with some new ideas, since Kellyn (almost twelve months) has outgrown many of her previously learned exercises.

I'm impressed with how her head righting has improved so much since the beginning of treatment.

The physical therapist wants us to pick her up and practice head righting on both sides (not just her right side).  During this exercise, she wants me to keep my arms supported on Kellyn's lower trunk (vs. upper) since it will make her have to work harder.  She feels that her transitioning back and forth will help her develop fluid neck movement and transitioning between both sides.  See picture above for a visual.

The PT also suggested using our stability ball to have Kellyn practice head righting at all angles.  Again, this will improve the transitioning between all positions. Another suggestion was letting Kellyn swing side-to-side in a baby swing.  This will also encourage that same head righting reflex and help with transitioning between both sides.  What a clever idea!  I would have never thought of that.

Using a stability ball makes it easier to tilt Kellyn in various directions for her head righting exercises

Another idea was letting Kellyn sit supported on the edge of our couch with her right leg hanging off edge and her right side of her body slightly lower than her left side.  With her attention focused on something straight ahead, this positioning would hopefully encourage right head righting.  As a result, this will help with strengthening her weak left side neck muscles associated with her right torticollis.

This torticollis exercise encourages head righting
so that she can build up those weak left side neck muscles.

The basic lateral neck stretch I first learned on Kellyn has become nearly impossible since she wiggles out of that one within a couple seconds.  However, I now have renewed hope in that neck stretch as a result of yesterday's appointment.  I saw the physical therapist successfully complete this stretch by coming from behind Kellyn's head and doing the exercise (vs. facing her directly).  For some reason, Kellyn tolerated that stretch much better in this position.  Perhaps, it was so new that Kellyn has not yet figured out a clever way to wiggle out of this one.  Only time will tell if this new way will continue to work for her.

Although she still hates this torticollis stretch,
she tolerates it better if I stretch from behind versus coming at her straight on.

I have found the key to success on doing torticollis stretches and exercises on an older baby is staying creative and adaptable.  Your baby will keep becoming smarter and stronger, and the exercises she once tolerated may become more challenging.  Therefore, you need to creatively adapt the exercise to accomplish it successfully.  Changing things up regularly with the torticollis exercises can help.  Check out this previous post that details my struggles with accomplishing torticollis exercises with an older baby.  In addition, if you are experiencing a rough patch in your little one's torticollis exercise home regime, definitely talk to your child's physical therapist about it.  He/she can hopefully help you determine new adaptions and versions of the torticollis stretches so that you can successfully complete them with your child.

Disclaimer: I am not a physical therapist or medical professional.  If you wish to do any of these physical therapy exercises on your own child, you should first seek approval from your child's physical therapist.  Click here for full disclaimer.