Range of Motion Exercise #3

Due to Kellyn's right torticollis, she has limited range of motion turning her head towards her right side.  This exercise will help increase her range of motion looking towards her right.  I like this exercise because I could sometimes get away with Kellyn not even realizing we're doing a torticollis exercise.   When babies are young, they often get pretty captivated by an interesting toy.  And since young babies are often too young to crawl, they can be pretty content just staying in one place and looking at something interesting.  Unfortunately, by the time your baby is mobile, this exercise may become near impossible to do since baby is unlikely to stay in one place for you.  I am including both a video demonstration and a written explanation of this exercise.

Video Tutorial:

Range of Motion Stretch for Right Torticollis

In addition to a head tilt, many babies with torticollis also have limited range of motion in the neck to one side.  Kellyn's limited range of motion is to her right side.  Therefore, I stretch her head in the right direction.  In this post, I will provide both a video demonstration AND a written explanation of the exercise (with pictures).

Video Tutorial:

 

Football Hold Strengthening for Right Torticollis

This is a great exercise for Kellyn to work against gravity and strengthen her weak side of her neck muscles.  She also stretches the tight side of her trunk muscles during this exercise.  This is a great two-for-one exercise as it simultaneously works her neck and trunk muscles in different ways.  In this post, I'll include both a YouTube video demonstration AND step-by-step written instructions with a picture.  Please note that this exercise is for babies with right torticollis.

Video Tutorial:

Stability Ball Strengthening for Right Torticollis

Since Kellyn's left neck and trunk muscles are both weak, this is a great two-for-one strengthening exercise for her.  This exercise looks so fun that my son Luke gets jealous when I do this with her.  The only way I can complete this exercise with Kellyn is if I promise that he gets a turn doing the ball exercise after her.  Just what I need...even more physical therapy exercises to do :) Anyways, here's a video tutorial AND step-by-step written instructions (with pictures) below.  This exercise is for babies with right torticollis.

Video Tutorial:

Rolling Belly-to-Back (towards right side)

Kellyn could easily roll from belly-to-back towards her left side.  This makes sense since her trunk favors the left side.  She had a much harder time putting weight and pressure on her right side of her trunk.  Therefore, her PT really encourage us to work with her on rolling this way.

1.  Place Kellyn on her tummy and put a toy on her left side of her body.

2.  If possible, encourage her to reach her left hand up and out towards the toy.  Her head should tilt back as she looks up at the toy.

Kellyn's got some serious bed-head going on in this picture.

Basic Neck Stretch for Right Torticollis

This stretch will help Kellyn tilt her head in the opposite direction that she's inclined to lean.  It also helps her stretch her tight right neck muscles.  This is one of her least favorite stretches. Please note that she has right torticollis.

1.  Take your left hand and hold down her right shoulder.

2.  Take your right hand and very gently bring her left ear towards her left shoulder.