Left Muscular Torticollis- Exercises

May 7, 2009

Hello there...

Our daughter is 10 weeks old, I noticed at about 7 weeks that she was turning

her head mostly to the right. I called her doctor, went in, and he said that she

had torticollis, (he did not say which direction. He showed us 2 exercises that

we should do 3-4 times a day, only 5 seconds each way.

Here's the thing...I am concerned about a few things...

After doing research myself, every website said that the exercises needed to be

longer and more frequent. So, I have increased them to 10 seconds and 3 reps

each way, 4-5 times each day. I have placed all of her toys on the left....put

her down each time to look at us toward the left, and I also let her sleep on

her tummy with her face to the left.

Doing this, we have seen a marked improvement. But, I do see a difference in her

skull...there is a flat spot on the right side of her head and it seems pretty

significant to me, although not as much to my husband.

I am concerned we were not referred to a PT...the dcr said that it was minor and

that it would be gone in a month or two...does not seem minor to me. And

everything I have read says that does not happen.

Also, she screams terribly while I am doing the exercises with her...this breaks

my heart!! This is really the main concern....I know that I am not overdoing

them and that she has to have them. Is this common? Will she be permanently

traumatized? She absolutely hates it and gets so upset!! I am so worried...

Please give any feedback.

The exercises are the side bends (ear toward shoulder) and the chin to shoulder,

both sides.

Thank you.....

Lilah

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