Torticollis and the Sternocleidomastoid muscle
Does your baby tilt their head to one side?
If your baby has been diagnosed with congenital torticollis, you may have noticed them tilting their head to one side or preferring to rotate their head in one direction. This restriction may affect their ability to latch and feed, so it is crucial to treat torticollis early.
The Sternocleidomastoid Muscle
The key to treating torticollis lies in understanding the role of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle and what you can do to help your newborn. The action of the SCM is to side-bend the neck one way while rotating the neck in the opposite way. For example, left torticollis means the baby’s neck is side-bent left and rotated right, indicating that the left SCM muscle is affected (See image below)
Conversely, right torticollis means the baby’s neck is side-bent right and rotated left, implicating the right SCM muscle.
Nerve Supply To SCM
Don’t forget about the nerve supply to the sternocleidomastoid muscle, which comes from Cranial Nerve XI (the accessory nerve) as well as branches of the cervical plexus (C2 and C3). Traumatic births can sometimes lead to irritation or impingement of the nerve supply to the muscle, exacerbating torticollis symptoms 😣
What You Can Do
Early intervention is crucial, and simple action steps and exercises can help bring balance to your baby’s body. This might involve gentle stretching and positioning techniques to encourage proper muscle development and flexibility.
If your baby has experienced a traumatic birth, or if plagiocephaly (asymmetrical head shape) is also present, seeing an osteopath who treats cranial strains and restrictions may be helpful.
By addressing torticollis early and implementing targeted interventions, you can help balance your baby's birth strain and ensure they have the best possible start in life.
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