The Real Reason Stretching Isn’t Fixing Your Baby’s Torticollis

If your baby’s head is tilted to one side, you’ve probably been told it’s just a tight muscle. “Stretch it out, do more tummy time, and eventually they’ll grow out of it,” right? But here’s what most pediatricians don’t explain: torticollis isn’t just about tight muscles — it’s rooted in what happened to your baby’s nervous system during birth.

You’re Not Alone in This

We see this pattern every week. A tired, worried parent walks in with a baby who:

• Cries through diaper changes

• Struggles to nurse on one side

• Never seems fully comfortable

The pediatrician spotted the head tilt at the two-month checkup, referred you to physical therapy, and sent you home with stretches that leave your baby screaming and you feeling defeated. Those stretches aren’t working because they’re aimed at the symptom, not the source. Meanwhile, that subluxation in your baby’s upper spine may be affecting so much more — feeding, sleep, ear drainage, digestion, and developmental milestones.

Nathan’s Story: From Struggling to Thriving

When Nathan first came in, he had experienced a traumatic emergency C-section. He was struggling with:

• Torticollis

• Plagiocephaly (flat head)

• Digestive distress

• Eczema

• Recurrent ear infections

His neck tension was so strong it pulled everything out of alignment. Occupational therapy wasn’t improving things. Even with a helmet, he looked uncomfortable and wasn’t meeting milestones.

But after his first month of neurologically focused chiropractic care, his digestive issues and eczema cleared. By month two, everything changed — he started sitting, crawling, pulling to stand, and he hasn’t had an ear infection since. His whole system was finally able to function the way it was designed to.

Understanding Torticollis: It’s More Than Meets the Eye

1. It’s a Neurological Issue — Not Just a Muscle Issue

   
   

Yes, doctors see the obvious signs: head tilt, tight muscles, limited range of motion. But the underlying cause is subluxation in the spine and nervous system.

Subluxation involves:

1. Misalignment in the spine

2. Fixation or tension in spinal segments

3. Neurological imbalance — where stress signals override calm and coordinated function

It’s like your baby’s nervous system has too many tabs open, and everything starts to glitch.

2. Birth Trauma Is the Most Common Cause

   
   

Birth is a big event for tiny necks.

C-sections, vacuum extraction, forceps, long pushing phases, or awkward positioning in the womb can overload a baby’s system before they even take their first breath. These stressors stack up — what we call the Perfect Storm — and the nervous system gets stuck in survival mode.

3. Why Stretching Alone Doesn’t Fix It

Stretching targets the muscle, not the neurological tension creating the muscle tightness. It’s like trying to push a car while the parking brake is still on.

When we first calm the nervous system with gentle chiropractic adjustments, then physical therapy, stretching, and positioning strategies finally start working.

4. The Hidden Consequences of Unresolved Torticollis

   
   

If the subluxation isn’t addressed, it typically doesn’t just disappear. It can contribute to:

• Ear infections (poor Eustachian tube drainage)

• Breathing and respiratory issues

• Gross and fine motor delays

• Sensory challenges

• Attention and behavioral struggles later on

If the foundation isn’t stable early on, development becomes harder at every milestone.

There’s Hope — A Gentle, Effective Path Forward

You shouldn’t have to choose between painful stretches and “wait and see.” There’s a better way — one that starts with the nervous system.

With advanced INSiGHT scans, we can locate and measure subluxation. Gentle, precise adjustments release tension and restore balance. Often, parents see changes within just a few visits.

Sometimes our little ones just get stuck, and when we help their nervous systems shift out of stress mode… everything else can finally follow.

Helping Your Baby Thrive Starts Now

At Bright Futures Chiropractic, we believe your baby deserves to feel comfortable, move freely, and flourish — and you deserve to feel confident and supported along the way.

Don’t wait for torticollis to “fix itself.” You can take action today.

📞 Call to schedule a consultation and let’s help your baby get unstuck — and start thriving.

818 W 18th St, Chicago, Il 60608

and

914 S Arthur Ave, Arlington Heights, IL 60005

Phone: 224.764.1644