TOT Collar Video Review & Product Demo

Here is my second product review of the TOT Collar for treatment of torticollis.  When my daughter was seven months old, I tried this out on my daughter and it didn't too work well for her at that time.  I think her neck was too short and chunky at that age for it to work correctly.  Thankfully, I tried it again when she was an older baby and it worked a whole lot better for her.  I think the TOT Collar is a great supplement to regular physical therapy for torticollis. 

PT Re-Evaluation #2 Update

Kellyn had another outpatient physical therapy re-evaluation for her torticollis and it went really well!  She's nine months old and has been in physical therapy now for three months.  So basically 1/3 of her little life here in this world has been in physical therapy.  Considering the various things she's been through since birth (esophagus surgery, NICU stay, X-rays, numerous doctor's appointments, and physical therapy), she is one tough little cookie.  Anyways, check out my video update on the outcome of this re-evaluation.

Torticollis Regression Due to Illness

So Kellyn has a head tilt regression due to sickness. Poor girl has a runny nose, cough, chest congestion, and wheezing. Her torticollis was really looking better up until recently. However, once the onset of her illness occurred, her head tilt has increased. She's having trouble eating, sleeping, and especially doing her physical therapy exercises. She cries and resists her stretches and strengthening exercises much more than usual.

Still managed to get a smile out of this little sick one.

Side-Lying Torticollis Stretch using Boppy Pillow

This is a great right torticollis stretch we learned at physical therapy for our daughter.  A Boppy Pillow, which seems to be a staple in most parents' homes, is needed for this stretch.  In this post, both a video tutorial AND step-by-step instructions with a picture will be provided to explain this torticollis stretch.

Video Tutorial:

How to Use the TOT Collar for Torticollis

When I first bought the TOT collar for my baby's torticollis, I remember scouring the internet for video tutorials on how to use the TOT collar.  Unfortunately, I was unable to find one.  Therefore, I decided to put together this video to help other parents who are new to using the TOT collar.  This video explains how I fit and apply the TOT collar to my daughter's neck to treat her torticollis.  For those unfamiliar with the TOT Collar, it is a device that goes around the child's neck and limits their ability to tilt their head to their preferred side.  For more info, you may first want to check out my video demo and review of this product.

Torticollis Progress: Video Update

To change it up, I decided to do a video update on Kellyn's progress versus a regular blog post update.  In this video, she's almost ten months old and has been in physical therapy for approximately twelve weeks.  Watch the video below to see how she's progressing in physical therapy:

Sitting to Crawling Position

As I mentioned before, babies' torticollis may improve once crawling becomes established.  That's why I spend time doing physical therapy exercises that encourage crawling.  This specific exercise will help my daughter become more comfortable moving from the sitting position to crawling position.  When babies first start crawling, they will often get into crawling position from the seated position.  So this exercise encourages that natural transition that babies will often make into crawling position.  I am including a video  and written directions (with pictures) below to demonstrate how I do this exercise with my daughter.

Video Tutorial:

Torticollis Pictures: 11 Weeks of PT

So it's about that time again when I post Kellyn's progress pictures from physical therapy for her torticollis.  Comparing to her six week pictures, I would say she has improved tremendously.  Now keep in mind though that her six week pictures were taken on a day that she was having a "bad torticollis day".  Even still, I notice a great improvement overall as compared to when she first started physical therapy.

Her right head tilt is negligible in this picture,
and her right neck depression looks much less noticeable.

Last Chiropractic Appointment for Torticollis

So today was Kellyn's third and final chiropractic adjustment.  I don't necessarily think its what the chiropractor would have recommended, but that's what my husband wanted.  He was never super comfortable with the idea of Kellyn going in the first place.  And Kellyn's torticollis is doing pretty well lately, so he figured it was not worth the small risk of something potentially bad happening from the adjustment.  And I'm fine with this decision.  I plan to watch her over the next few weeks to make sure she doesn't experience any big regressions.  I also want to make sure that her improvement continues on in an upward trend.  If we notice Kellyn's torticollis worsening, Ryan and I will discuss whether or not we want to start back up with chiropractic.

My beautiful baby girl bundled up and ready to go to the chiropractor.

Tortle Video Review (used for Plagiocephaly)

Below is my video review of the Tortle, a beanie designed for the prevention and treatment of mild plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome).  The Tortle company gave me this adorable pink one to try out for this product review.  Babies with torticollis are at higher risk for developing flat spots on their head.  If your baby has been diagnosed with torticollis and has not developed a flat spot, it may be worthwhile to use this product as a preventative measure.  And if your baby already has a mild flat spot (not severe enough to warrant helmet therapy), the Tortle may potentially help.  If you believe the Tortle may benefit your baby, you can purchase it here.  


 
Disclosure:  If you purchase this item through my Amazon affiliate link, I will receive a percentage of the purchase price.  This can help me to continue providing you quality content and resources about torticollis.  Click here for more info.

Shoulder Stretch for Elevated Shoulder

Along with her right torticollis, my daughter often elevated her right shoulder.  This caused her torticollis to look a lot worse than it actually was.  Once I started doing this stretch with her regularly, I noticed that she did not raise her shoulder up as much or as frequently.  If your baby doesn't elevate her shoulder, then disregard this stretch. As you'll see below, I included a video tutorial and written instructions to show you how I do this stretch with my daughter.

Video Tutorial: 

Torticollis Physical Therapy Re-evaluation

Kellyn had her eight week re-evaluation with her outpatient physical therapist today. Kellyn must have known she had to perform because she was having "a good torticollis day." Anyways, the physical therapist noticed continued improvement in her muscle strength and flexibility. She was also happy to see that Kellyn's head tilt was negligible while lying on her back.

As you can see, Kellyn's head looks nice and straight while lying down.
Maybe she's showing off for her big brother.

Kinesio Tape for Torticollis: Round 2

So Kellyn's first application of Kinesio Tape did not seem to improve her torticollis.  It was applied to the affected side of her neck (the side she tilts to) and in a method to encourage muscle relaxation.  After taking a little over a week break from the Kinesio Tape, our physical therapist from the early intervention program tried a different technique on Kellyn.  She applied the tape to the unaffected side of her neck to encourage muscle facilitation.  This makes sense since the unaffected side of Kellyn's neck has weaker muscles.

This is the second application of Kinesio Tape on her neck for torticollis.

1st Chiropractic Adjustment for Torticollis

As I mentioned before, Ryan and I have been considering supplementing Kellyn's physical therapy with chiropractic treatment. Before Kellyn got diagnosed with torticollis, I would have never imagined I would be taking my baby to a chiropractor. However, torticollis is a stubborn little condition that improves very gradually. So, after two months straight of daily physical therapy exercises, I was ready to take it up a notch. After hearing such awesome reviews about chiropractic from other "tort parents", I started wondering if perhaps it could work for Kellyn. After praying, researching, watching YouTube videos of pediatric adjustments, and having a consultation with the chiropractor, we finally felt comfortable scheduling the chiropractic appointment for Kellyn.

Kellyn's torticollis presentation one day after her first chiropractic adjustment.

Supported Crawling Position

You may be wondering, 'Why are you concerned about crawling? Shouldn't you be working on torticollis-specific exercises?'. By encouraging Kellyn to learn to crawl, I am indirectly treating her torticollis. Once she starts to crawl, she will hopefully be less likely to tilt her head. Before a baby crawls, she obviously needs to first be comfortable on all four's. This exercise focuses on becoming comfortable on hands and knees, which is a precursor to crawling. Below I have a video tutorial and written step-by-step instructions to show you this simple exercise.

Video Tutorial:

Consultation with Chiropractor

We recently had a consultation with a chiropractor who has experience working with babies and children.  She came highly recommended to us by our daughter's outpatient physical therapist.  My husband and I have been considering supplementing Kellyn's PT with chiropractic since we have heard a lot of positive feedback from other parents of babies with torticollis.

Gloria Rosazza © 123RF.com | glopphy

Kinesio Tape Removal

Kellyn has had the Kinesio Tape on the affected side of her neck for about four days. As I mentioned, I did not feel this first application technique we tried made a noticeable difference. However, I do not want to give up on it yet, as there are a few other application techniques we could potentially try. Ryan and I decided to remove the Kinesio Tape today since she had her big appointment at the Torticollis Clinic at Children's National Medical Center coming up. We wanted the clinic to see her torticollis in its "natural state" without any potential aiding from the tape.

Stretches Possibly Worsening Torticollis

Kellyn's outpatient physical therapist made an astute perception about Kellyn's torticollis at her physical therapy session last week.  She noticed that Kellyn was resisting frequently during her neck stretches.  The physical therapist said I should not stretch Kellyn if she is resisting because I could indirectly be strengthening the right neck muscle that is overactive.

These were the good ol' days when Kellyn was much more compliant with her torticollis stretches.
Amazing, how much can change within a few weeks time.

 

Torticollis Clinic Appointment

Today was our appointment at the Torticollis Clinic at Children's National Medical Center in Washington D.C.  We were excited to see medical professionals who specialize in the treatment of torticollis specifically. Of course, Kellyn's head tilt was super minimal today. I almost wished that she was having a "bad torticollis day" on the day of this appointment, so they could see her at her worst.

At the appointment, Kellyn was evaluated by a nurse practitioner and a physical therapist. The women put Kellyn in various positions and they had her demonstrate various motor skills.  After they were done working with Kellyn, they took the time to explain their observations and provide recommendations.

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Snuggin Go & Torticollis Support Kit Review

Some parents told me about the Snuggin Go and the Torticollis Support Kit that they used for their babies with torticollis.  Not knowing much about these products, but desperate for any potential solution to help Kellyn, I bought these items.  I'll go ahead and review these products for you.  In this post, I'm including both a video review and a written product review.

Kellyn using the Snuggin Go and the Torticollis Support Kit in her high chair.