Torticollis Evaluation and Treatment

Evaluations for Congenital Muscular Torticollis (CMT) begins with a thorough review of the child’s medical history this includes:

• Parent report, including: birth/delivery, length and weight of child at birth, any perceived asymmetries
• Current health, including feeding and positioning
• Onset and changes in Torticollis and Plagiocephaly presentation

Systems Review:

• Visual function, including: mid-line focus, tracking and alignment
• Neurological screen: abnormal tone (muscle tension), appropriate reflexes
• Pain
• Skin screening: abnormal folds, color and texture

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Physical Assessment:

• Clinical observation: resting posture and motor development
• Plagiocephaly: Assess and identify cranial shape
• ROM
• Palpation

Goals of Physical Therapy for each baby is to:

1. Increase soft tissue range of motion to normal
2. Improve strengthening with postural control
3. Restore the normal shaping of the baby’s head before the skull fuses
4. Train both parents and caregivers in proper holding and positioning
5. Encourage active eye tracking to retrain active neck rotation and extension
6. Enhance the progressive developmental motor control to reach normal milestones
7. Make the Brill PT sessions playful and fun for the baby to thrive and relax