Awake Tummy Time Left Torticollis:

To help develop gross motor skills, place a baby on his Treatment Guide
or her tummy while they are awake and supervised.
In this position the baby is working against gravity,
learning to control his or her head, how to move in
different ways, and strengthening the head, neck,
arm, and chest muscles.
You can begin awake tummy time with your baby
as soon as your baby is born. Start on a flat, firm Right Side Flexion
surface. If your baby does not like tummy time at 1. When your baby is awake, position your baby in a left
first, try the position when the baby is on top of your side lying position on a firm surface.
chest or lap. If your baby prefers to look towards one 2. Prop a rolled towel underneath your baby’s head to
Try tummy time 4 to 5 times every day, gradually simulate a right side flexion stretch.
direction, wave a favourite toy from the opposite
increasing how long your baby spends in tummy time.
direction to get your baby’s attention.
Minimize the time your baby spends in positioning
devices such as swings and baby seats.

Left Torticollis: Left Rotation

Treatment Guide 1. Lay your baby on his or her back.
2. Stabilize your baby’s right shoulder with your hand.
3. Place your other hand over the right side of your baby’s
Stretching Exercises head and rotate it to the left.
Right Side Flexion
1. Lay your baby on his or her back. Ensure your baby is looking straight
up at you throughout this stretch.
2. Stabilize your baby’s left shoulder with one hand, keeping it in place
during the stretch. Place your other hand gently over your baby’s head,
tilting it slowly towards the right.
3. When you start to feel some resistance hold this position for 5 to 10 Left Rotation
seconds, as tolerated. 1. Lay your baby on his or her left side.
2. Place your hand over the right side of your baby’s head
to provide stability.
3. Use your other hand to guide your baby’s body in a
Right Side Flexion gentle roll onto the back, keeping the face stabilized.
1. Cradle the left side of your baby’s head on your left elbow. Position
the rest of your baby’s body so that it is fully supported by your left arm.
2. Use your left elbow as a lever to create a right side flexion stretch.
3. You can use your right hand to give more of a stretch if your baby will Left Rotation
tolerate it. 1. While holding your baby cheek to cheek, use your head
to gently stretch your baby’s head into right side flexion or
left rotation.
Left Torticollis:
Treatment Guide

Strengthening Exercises
Carrying Over Shoulder
Carry your baby over your right shoulder to encourage
your baby to rotate towards the left.

Carrying with a Left Tilt

If your baby is younger than four months old, cradle the
left side of the baby’s head on your left elbow while tilting
the baby’s body to the left. Use a mirror or have someone
stand in front of you to ensure the baby is looking straight
ahead and not rotating.

Tilting to Left
Once your baby is four months old, tilt the baby’s body to
the left and allow the baby to hold his or her head in an
upright position, perpendicular to the ground. This can be
done when you are standing or sitting.
Helpful Tips
• In all positions, bring your baby’s attention to the left side to
encourage left rotation.
• Your baby might cry during the exercises, but it is not likely because
of pain. Wait for the baby to relax and then continue with the stretches.
The more you stretch, the easier it will be for both of you.
• Get your whole family involved! Older siblings and other relatives can
also approach your baby from the left.
• Two caregivers can work on stretching your baby together. One person
can hold the baby’s shoulder or body while the other gently moves the
baby’s head.
Left Torticollis:
Caregiver Guide
What is Torticollis? exercises with your baby. Research shows that
the most effective forms of treatment are neck
Torticollis, also known as ‘wry neck’ or ‘twisted neck’, stretching, neck strengthening, developing gross
is a condition where the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) motor skills, adapting the baby’s environment, and
neck muscle is tighter on one side of the neck. The educating caregivers.
head of a baby with torticollis generally tilts to one
side and rotates to the opposite side. This condition
affects 4 to 16 per cent of newborns.
Terminology
Throughout this guide, you will see the following
What Causes It? terms used.
There is no one known cause for torticollis. Some
potential causes include in-utero crowding, breech
position, and the use of forceps during delivery.
How is Torticollis Treated? 1. Midline 2. Side Flexion 3. Rotation
Torticollis often disappears with a few months of
treatment. Your ErinoakKids physiotherapist will
show you how to safely perform some simple

905-855-2690 or 1-877-374-6625 www.erinoakkids.ca 905-855-2690 or 1-877-374-6625 www.erinoakkids.ca