Course Description:

Torticollis is the third most common congenital orthopedic anomaly with an incidence of 3.9-16%. This session is designed for community therapists who may be less comfortable with pediatric care but desire to gain confidence in treating patients with plagiocephaly and torticollis. Learners will gain a foundation for applying APTA’s Congenital Muscular Torticollis (CMT) Clinical Practice Guideline to their practice. Then, learners will expand on foundational knowledge with a practical lab for both assessment and intervention. This session provides a hands-on exploration of examination and intervention techniques for infants with congenital muscular torticollis. Examples of assessments include ways to measure cervical range of motion, strength, posture, motor development, and the severity of the torticollis and plagiocephaly. Intervention techniques will be practiced to ensure effective home exercise programs that include stretching, positioning, strengthening, and ways to promote symmetrical movement patterns. Additionally, we will explore the proper timing and use of helmet banding, evaluating their effectiveness in supporting proper head shape and alignment and facilitating overall recovery.