- (636) 296-8123
- office@abundanthealthstl.com
- 1804 Jeffco Blvd, Arnold, MO 63010
Your baby keeps turning their head to one side, and tummy time feels like a battle every single time. There’s a reason, and there’s a solution.
Torticollis, sometimes called “wry neck,” is a condition where a baby’s neck muscles are tight or shortened on one side, causing them to tilt or rotate their head in a preferred direction. You might notice your baby always looks the same way, has a flat spot forming on one side of their head, or absolutely hates being on their tummy.
It’s more common than most parents realize, and it’s not your fault. Torticollis often develops during pregnancy from a tight position in the womb, or during birth when the neck and upper spine experience stress or compression, especially with long labors, vacuum or forceps delivery, or C-sections.
Babies with torticollis aren’t being stubborn or fussy. Their nervous system is compensating for tension and restriction in the upper cervical spine and surrounding muscles. Stretching exercises can help with the muscle tightness, but they don’t address the underlying spinal and nervous system component, which is exactly where chiropractic comes in.
Signs Your Baby May Have Torticollis
At Abundant Health Chiropractic, we look at the whole picture, not just the tight muscle. Our first step is a thorough assessment that includes our INSiGHT neurological scanning technology, which gives us an objective look at how your baby’s nervous system is functioning. This helps us pinpoint exactly where stress and tension are being held.
Our gentle chiropractic adjustments focus on the upper cervical spine, specifically the C1 and C2 vertebrae, where subluxation is often at the root of torticollis. When that interference is removed, the surrounding muscles can relax naturally, often making the stretching exercises your pediatrician prescribed far more effective.
Sessions with an infant are incredibly gentle, think light fingertip pressure, not the adjustments you might imagine for an adult. Most babies sleep right through it. We’ll also coach you on positioning, tummy time strategies, and home care between visits.
Most families begin to notice changes within the first few visits. Our goal is to get your baby’s nervous system and musculoskeletal system working together, so they can turn, reach, and move freely in all the ways they’re supposed to. Because torticollis and tongue tie frequently occur together and can both affect feeding, we’ll assess for tension patterns linked to latch and oral restriction as well.
Our doctors are Webster Certified, ICPA trained, and experienced in neurologically-focused pediatric care. We use INSiGHT scanning technology to measure your baby’s nervous system, not guesswork. With over 328 five-star Google reviews and 18+ years of experience caring for infants in the Arnold, MO area, families trust us with their most vulnerable patients from the very beginning.
Yes. Chiropractic care addresses the upper cervical subluxations that contribute to muscle tension and restricted movement in babies with torticollis. Many families see significant improvement when chiropractic is added alongside any stretching or physical therapy.
Absolutely. Infant adjustments use extremely light pressure, far gentler than a typical massage. The goal is never to “crack” anything; it’s to gently restore proper alignment and nervous system communication.
During birth, the neck and upper spine can experience significant compressive or rotational forces, especially with interventions like vacuum extraction, forceps, or a fast or prolonged delivery.
Every baby is different. Many families notice meaningful changes within the first 4 to 6 visits. Our INSiGHT scans help us track how your baby’s nervous system is responding.
As early as possible. The sooner torticollis is addressed, the easier it is to correct, and the less impact it has on head shape, feeding, and developmental milestones.
Let’s find out what’s going on and make a plan.
