Re: Re: Wondering what our next step should be

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In a message dated 3/26/2002 6:08:59 PM Eastern Standard Time, rmanias@... writes:

You will

probably be hearing from who is the tort police.

Ok guys, now I am soooo embarrassed for being the miss-know-it-all (boy have I got you all fooled

Hi Concerned Mom,

I have a ton of questions: You said your child had been out of the helmet since January- how many months was she in it total? When you notice the head tilt- is it constantly? Or is she for the most part midline? Did you go through physical therapy for the tort and was she ever totally straight, at least for the most part? Also, does the neck muscle feel tight to the touch? Is she reverting back to using one side only? It sounds like maybe the torticollis is not fully resolved if she is constantly tilted, and if you are seeing some facial asymmetry (by the way, was the facial asymmetry resolved in January, and you have seen it come back?), it could be in my laymens mind a few things:

1) the muscle is still very tight, causing not only the tilt, but pulling facial features down with it.

2) The prominent cheek sounds plagio related- so both things could be happening here, tort not resolved, the pressure on one side could be causing plagio (more pronounced cheek, etc).

I would say a re-evaluation certainly wouldn't hurt at this age. If it's noticeable to you in the mirror- chances are that you are not "seeing" things as we sometimes do with our critical eye. Perhaps (among many of our other tort gurus lurking here!) could hook you up with her therapist, Karmel-Ross, the absolute expert on the subject, with a phone call or email her a pic for a professional opinion. You are such a great mom to be so on top of this, the fact that you are re-visiting something that was over and done with says you are very aware and want the best for your daughter- and your right- while you still can do something about it. My suggestion to you would be to check that muscle out yourself as well, use light massage strokes in upwards motion on the facial areas (cheek, eye, ear)- you probably need to continue stretching exercises to give that area some much needed slack. How is she developing physically? Is she using both sides of her body? Encourage her to reach for things, and the "carrying" hold (will attach link) will help to seperate her neck from the shoulder-its such an easy hold and they don't even know its happening to help them! With a 14 month old, depending on how mobile she is, you really have to get creative to stretch them. Also, try to prop her head midline as much as possible, in the car seat, etc (easiest when sleeping I know!). I will also attach a link for a TOT collar that is used to help kids learn that midline is the correct posture. You can also consider a chiropracter and a cranio sacral therapist to help. These are all just suggestions, and its important for you to check with a nuerologist about what's happening here: some tort does not resolve with therapy and an operation is required (these are successful, don't worry)-

it could be that the tort was never fully resolved and it just came back- we still see our son tilt on occassion, but not constant. Perhaps the torticolliskids could offer you more suggestions as well. Call your ped for a referral to a nuerologist asap, you should get the ball rolling now. Good luck and I hope you get the answers you need! Please feel free to email me anytime as I would be more than happy to help you with any tips I have!

All the best,

' Mom (tort resovled, DOC grad)

Stretches/ Holds

T.O.T. Collar

[Guest guest]

Thanks Sgt. !!! I know your on duty too- got any donuts

' Mom