Myogenic torticollis of the newborn: what it is and how to detect it
Myogenic torticollis of the newborn is a neonatal problem that is as frequent as it is underestimated. The consequences (when left unresolved) risk causing problems with sucking and breastfeeding, asymmetries in postural development and positional plagiocephaly.
Here are the main reasons So I advise parents to learn, already during pregnancy, what a myogenic torticollis is, how to recognise it visually by simple observation and be aware of how to solve it effectively with osteopathic treatments.
Myogenic torticollis of the newborn: what it is
Myogenic torticollis of the newborn is nothing more than the medical term to say ''muscle contractures'' in the child's neck. These muscle contractures and joint stiffnesses restrict movement and force the child to maintain the head turned and/or tilted to the same side.
Le causesin most cases, are intrauterine malpositions o more or less difficult parts.
Myogenic torticollis of the newborn: negative consequences
When a myogenic torticollis is not promptly diagnosed and resolved, it can result inin chronological order, 3 main negative consequences:
Lactation problems
If the child has contractures in the neck (but also in the mouth), the quality of breast attack and sucking is worse. As a result, the baby may often detach from the breast, have weak sucking, little stimulation of milk production, have a preferred breast, etc.
When there are problems in breastfeeding, I advise you to contact your midwife as soon as possible, but also a paediatric osteopath (click here to learn how to improve your baby's sucking with osteopathy).
Positional plagiocephaly
La second consequence of an unresolved myogenic torticollis is a positional plagiocephaly.
Positional plagiocephaly is created because, by keeping the head primarily rotated to one side rather than the other, the baby's little head tends to flatten and deform right where it leans.
If the torticollis is not resolved and the plagiocephaly worsens, the entire skull is deformed and asymmetries of the child's eyes and mouth may also be noted.
Postural asymmetries
La third consequence of an unresolved torticollis are postural asymmetries in the child (spinal column). These can be more or less pronounced and can become evident and worsen over time.
In a nutshell, the curves of the spine are altered due to contractures in the neck that force the child to keep the visual (eyes) and vestibular (body balance) systems in an incorrect position.
This could lead to cervical asymmetries but also backbones or even to scoliotic attitudes more or less pronounced that can be highlighted and worsen year after year.
How to tell if your child has a myogenic torticollis
Having understood the negative implications of an untreated myogenic torticollis, let me reassure you that this problem is easily solved. In fact, thanks to osteopathic treatments aimed at decontracting the cervical musculature and restoring proper spinal mobility.
Now I will explain how you can easily notice a stiff neck.
Instructions for locating it
To do so, I recommend lay your baby supine on a semi-rigid surface, such as a play mat or changing mat.
An excessively soft surface, such as a cot, restricts head movement and may slightly distort the result.
Once your baby is lying down positioned in front of him and attract his attention.
Note if you place the perfectly aligned head and if he can look you in the face, or if he tends to tilt his little head and turn it to one side.
Observe it carefully for 60 seconds after which he tries to attract his attention by rattling 90 degrees to the left and then 90 degrees to the right.
Levels of torticollis
In cases where the torticollis is strongthe child is always looking to one side and can barely look straight ahead.
When the torticollis is moderate, the child prefers to look and sleep on one side but can, if stimulated, look straight ahead and turn his head slightly to the opposite side.
When the torticollis is slight, the child has a slight preference for looking to one side rather than the other, sleeping on one side but is able to turn his or her head well, if called upon, either to the right or to the left.
In any case, when there are contractures in the neck, they must always be resolved; never underestimate them.
How to treat myogenic torticollis of the newborn baby
As you have already seen in the previous images, the myogenic torticollis of the newborn can be resolved.
To do this, osteopathic treatments are required to decontract the cervical muscles and improve the joint mobility of the spine.
The treatments are gentle and effective; it usually takes 3-5 treatments to resolve myogenic torticollis.
It was a pleasure to create this informative content and I sincerely hope it will be of great help to you and your child.
See you in the next article, on my instagram page @osteopata_silvamatteo and on YouTube Dr. Silva Matteo Paediatric osteopath.
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