4 Mo Old Diagnosed with Torticollis

I don't know anything about this condition but if you haven't already done so, you should check out what the options are at the UC School of Optometry. I know their faculty there also sees patients.

J. F.

HI L.. My son had torticollis and was diagnosed at 2 months. The earlier you start the pt the better. I took him to Lucille Packard at Stanford. We saw a "L." so maybe it's meant to be for you to see her :)
She was awesome. Basically, she'll analyze and give you a bunch of exercises that you will have to do at home with him since you are with him almost 24/7. Again, better sooner than later. Around 6, 7 months he will not want to sit still while you exercise his neck. They really helped my son and I took him back when he was about 8 or 9 months and L. was really happy with results as was I. World of difference and now it's almost 100% and he's almost a year old. Don't worry, the pt will do wonders!

This isn't the answer to your specific question, but may save you a lot of time and money.
When my son was 11 weeks old I ran into my husband's pediatrician while visiting my in-laws. He also said he had torticolis, and taught us some exercises and stretches to do at home. I did them faithfully for 2 months, and learned how loud an infant really can yell! But in the end, that is all that was needed. (Oh, and we tried to stimulate him to look both directions on the changing table and in bed.) Next check-up our pediatrician assessed it and said there was no remaining sign of it.
Maybe your pediatrician who diagnosed the problem can teach you the stretches? Or can you find them illustrated online?
Did the Dr. order PT? Sounds extreme to me.

Hi L.,

Congratulations on your new little one. I'm so sorry to hear about the torticollis. I'm a chiropractor in Danville and I specialize in prenatal and pediatric issues. I'm sure it seems scary, if you haven't been to a chiropractor before, but it would help your son so much. I'd love to talk to you more about it, and explain how it will help your son. I'll be in the office tomorrow after 3:00, ###-###-####. I'm also listed on this website, as well as, alignhealingcenter.com.

I hope to hear from you soon,
B.

I think you would be much better off going to a pediatric ophthalmologist vs. an optometrist. They have much more medical training than optometrists. I've worked with Dr. Smith and was very pleased. I can't remember what his partner's name is, but also has a good reputation.

Pediatric Ophthalmology
5401 Norris Canyon Rd Ste 100
San Ramon, CA
94583
Phone: ###-###-####

HTH. Good luck
C.

The University of California, Berkeley has a Special Visual Assessment Clinic that has pediatric unit. It is through the school of Optometry though, and not Opthamology. Children's Hospital, Oakland has a pediatric Opthamology department, and Dr. Koseoglu is really good. If you are still looking for PT, you might want to try going through the Regional Center of the East Bay. They have helped us a lot. http://www.rceb.org/

Good Luck with your little one!
K.

Hi L.,
I'm sorry to hear about the torticollis diagnosis--that's a lot for a 4 month old to be dealing with! However, there is hope for him, this isn't something he'll have to live with. I am a chiropractor in Oakland, and have helped lots of babies get well from various conditions. Babies respond really quickly, and don't need much care at all. I know you mentioned that you're seeking PT for him, and while that might help, working the muscles may not be getting to the cause of the problem. Those muscles are connected to the bones of his neck, and if, for whatever reason, the bones are moving properly, it causes interference in his little nervous system, which then affects the muscles and can cause torticollis. I'd be happy to talk more about this all with you.
Best of luck,
L.
www.thespecific.com