Michele and Riley- OT non plagio

[Guest guest]

Michele,

Just wanted to let you know I can totally relate to your frustration with the

tort!! was in pt for approx. 6 months professionally, and even then

we were leary on saying " resolved " because some days he would be very

midline, and others wayyyyy tilted!! I thought it would never end!! Keep in

mind that if you are stretching everyday, you are doing your homework, it

will just take time. Also, the tilt is the last to go. The muscle has to be

stretched out yes, but at the same time, the opposite muscle is considered

" weak " - and needs strenghtening in order to pick that head up to go back

towards that unaffected side, to be midline. How long has Riley been

stretched? If you say you have seen results, I would say awesome!! The

children that see no results at all are usually the ones that end up in

surgery. The fact that some days are good and some are bad sound so typical

of tort kids that I have gotten to know online, including our own experience.

Compliment stretches with working with other parts of the body as well. You

can strengthen the non-tort side neck muscle by sitting them on your lap

facing the tv (it helps to keep them interested in something)- and tilt them

from side to side. You will notice that on the tort side, they can stay

pretty midline when at an angle (the body naturally tries to keep the head in

a midline position, so they will compensate to stay midline when tilted).

When tilted towards the non-tilt side, they have a harder time picking up the

head to stay " midline " - and it is great exercise to work that weak muscle

(please email me if this doesn't make sense). Also make sure they are

reaching for things with both hands, really make them stretch for a toy on

both sides, this helps also. Looking up high at toys, way left or way right,

or way low, all very key to helping use that muscle.

We have not seen a regression in his flatness as a result of him

occassionally reverting back to that side- although he mostly sleeps on his

stomach now (butt waving in the air He still prefers to sleep facing

right, although he will turn left as well, so I'm not as paranoid about

shifting him that way all the time.

I think Riley is 8 months (?) so I doubt you will see regression either once

you are finished with the band/helmet. I can now say resolved, but only in

the sense that the muscle is no longer tight and for the majority he is very

straight. However, he does revert back to mild tilting when he's sick as you

talked about. Don't worry too much, as long as you are making progress,

keeping an eye on posture and being very conscious about propping his head as

much as possible, diligent stretching, strengthening, you should continue to

see results- although it will be very hard work for your next 6 weeks. I

found massage very helpful also. Good luck to you and keep the faith, there

are a lot of us tort moms out here that understand what your going through-

there is a light at the end of the tunnel and one day you'll breath a big

sigh of relief!

Please keep us posted on Riley's progress!

' Mom (tort resolved, DOC grad)