The most important thing to know about torticollis and plagiocephaly, from a physcial therapist’s perspective, is that the stretches and positions for play, need to be incorporated throughout the day.
Placing your infant on their belly every time you put them down (while awake), even for diaper changes, is important because it allows the infant to practice lifting their head and self-stretch, while increasing their neck strength.
Avoid using any type of “equipment” (bouncy chairs, swings, exersaucers). The best place for a baby to get stronger and learn to move, is on the floor. Place them on their sides and their belly.
Change the infant’s sleep position in the crib so they have to turn towards the side that is difficult for them. When on the floor, place all toys so they have to turn towards them in the direction that is challenging.
Carry your infant facing out and away from your body or in a “football” hold. (see pictures)
The most important thing to know about torticollis and plagiocephaly, from a physcial therapist’s perspective, is that the stretches and positions for play, need to be incorporated throughout the day.
Placing your infant on their belly every time you put them down (while awake), even for diaper changes, is important because it allows the infant to practice lifting their head and self-stretch, while increasing their neck strength.
Avoid using any type of “equipment” (bouncy chairs, swings, exersaucers). The best place for a baby to get stronger and learn to move, is on the floor. Place them on their sides and their belly.
Change the infant’s sleep position in the crib so they have to turn towards the side that is difficult for them. When on the floor, place all toys so they have to turn towards them in the direction that is challenging.
Carry your infant facing out and away from your body or in a “football” hold. (see pictures)
We met Dr. Mazzola the night we found out our ten month old daughter had a brain tumor. We were absolutely terrified. We had no idea what to expect. We had no choice to but trust our daughters’ life to Dr. Mazzola. She was very reassuring, certain that she could help our daughter. Surgery was the next morning. It was a complete success! Emily did have a seizure post operatively. Late that evening Dr. Mazzola rushed back to Morristown. The look on her face was as if Emily were her own daughter, full of concern over what had happened. She reassured us Emily would be fine, and she was. We went home where she recovered beautifully.
Emily was diagnosed with hydrocephalus as a result of the tumor and had to have a shunt placed. This was four and a half years ago, and our daughter is a perfectly healthy 5 year old who just started kindergarten. There was never a moment that I didn’t feel confident and comfortable with Dr. Mazzola and her wonderful staff. I would recommend her to anyone in a heartbeat. Not only is she a wonderful surgeon, she is a wonderful woman. I’m not sure how she does what she does, but I am certainly very happy that she does!
NOTICE: This website is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice or as a substitute for a patient/physician relationship.
NJPNI is committed to creating a culturally diverse, inclusive and collaborative community for patients and their families, employees and associates where each person is celebrated and has a sense of equal belonging. See our DEI Statement Page for more information.
NJPNI does not exclude, deny benefits to, or otherwise discriminate against any person on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, or on the basis of disability or age in admission to, participation in, or receipt of the services and benefits of any of its programs and activities or in employment therein. This statement is in accordance with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Regulations of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued pursuant to the Acts, Title 45 Code of Federal Regulations part 80, 84, and 91.
