What Causes Infant Torticollis and How Is It Treated?

Infant torticollis is a condition where a baby’s neck muscles are tight or shortened, causing the head to tilt to one side. It’s usually caused by muscle tightness from positioning in the womb, birth trauma, or muscle strain. care includes gentle stretching exercises, physical therapy, and chiropractic adjustments to restore proper neck mobility and alignment.

What Causes Torticollis in Infants?

Torticollis develops when the sternocleidomastoid muscle—the large muscle that runs along the side of the neck—becomes tight or contracted. This can happen for several reasons. Many babies develop torticollis from their position in the womb during pregnancy, especially if space was limited. Birth trauma, such as forceps delivery or a difficult labor, can also strain the neck muscles and lead to torticollis.

Sometimes torticollis appears after birth from how a baby is positioned while sleeping or resting. If an infant always looks the same direction or favors one side, the muscles on that side can become tight over time. In rare cases, it may be related to an underlying condition, which is why proper evaluation is important. The good news is that early detection and care make a big difference in recovery.

How Chiropractic Care cares for Infant Torticollis

At Alive & Free Chiropractic in Cooper City, we take a gentle, neurological approach to caring for infant torticollis. Dr. Cody Capeloto specializes in pediatric chiropractic care and understands the delicate nature of a baby’s developing spine and nervous system. care typically includes careful chiropractic adjustments to restore proper alignment, reduce muscle tension, and improve mobility in the neck and upper spine.

Beyond adjustments, we teach parents specific stretching and positioning exercises to do at home. These exercises are simple, gentle, and designed to gradually lengthen the tight muscles and encourage the baby to move their head in all directions. Consistency with these home exercises is key. Most babies respond very well to chiropractic care combined with these at-home strategies, often showing improvement within weeks.

We also assess whether there are any restrictions in the baby’s movement or posture that need attention. Our goal is to restore full, pain-free neck mobility so your baby can grow and develop normally. Early intervention is important—the younger the child, the faster the response to care.