Torticollis means "twisted neck," and if a child has this condition, their head will be tilted to one side while the chin is turned to the other side. It's also sometimes called wryneck. Babies with torticollis may also develop positional plagiocephaly (flat head shape) because they'll often sleep with their head turned to the side. Miles was diagnosed with this at 2 months old.
Tortico-LESS is what happens when the torticollis is gone. See what I did there? That's Miles now.
At 36 weeks preggo Miles was breech, so they scheduled a c-section "just in case."
I was pretty much determined to turn Miles and get him to come out the "right way" (If you don't know what that is, ask Clover. She will tell you exactly how Miles left my belly.) My friend, Meg, recommended a visit to her chiropractor, who is certified in the proper performance of the Webster Technique. Combined with some exercises to turn him around naturally, I am proud to say that I did not have to have a c-section!
After Miles was diagnosed with torticollis at 2 months old, I made an appointment for him with Dr.Kathryn Hoiriis. She began working with Miles twice a week, and now once a week, and I am THRILLED to say that he has NO tilt, his flat spot is GONE and he is a physical little monkey-man!
Here are two pictures of Miles. The first is at 11 weeks old when his torticollis was at it's peak, and the second was taken just a few days before he turned 5 months old:
It's truly incredible. I feel like I owe so much to Dr. Kathryn.
When I googled the definition of torticollis, I started reading some of the parent forums and saw several similar comments like this:
"You child should see a pediatric physical therapist, as well as get fitted for a helmet if the torticollis is accompanied by plagiocephally (flattened head)."
"My son has Torticollis and a flat head..He recently just got the helmet about 3 months ago and we have seen an amazing transformation already!"
"Physical Therapy is a must- your son will most likely need to wear an infant helmet to help straighten his head out. We are about to go that route with our son who looks to the left and cocks his neck to the left ALL the time. It can be discouraging but it won't be like this forever."
Chiropractic care is so often overlooked. Before I ever saw a chiropractor, or before I knew that there was such a thing as an alternative to the "medicine world", I thought chiropractic care was weird. I've heard so many people say things like, "Chiropractors just want your money. They trick you into thinking you have to go all the time." "One wrong move, and you're paralyzed!"
I can't speak for all chiropractors, but I can say that Dr. Kathryn truly cares about her patients. She saw Miles twice a week in the beginning because WE felt it was best. She's extremely intelligent and knows what she is doing. She talks me through each process she does with Miles and has taught me things I can do with him at home.
A lot of people I have talked to have the misconception that Dr.Hoiriis "cracks" and adjusts Miles like she would an adult. That is not the case at all. Here are some pictures from one of his most recent adjustments: (Miles LOVES her, by the way)
stretches:
He holds his head up SO well now!
This is his "bad spot":
Using the activator method - set all the way to 0. I know this because she double checks it every time:
Cranials - his favorite!
His whole body relaxes
This one is his favorite:
Here is my two cents: Yes, one wrong "crack" and you can be paralyzed. But one wrong medicine, one wrong diagnosis, and a physician can do the same thing. Because of Dr. Kathryn's help, I was able to avoid having a c-section. Because of Dr.Kathryn, Miles has been able to potentially avoid physical therapy, wearing a helmet, seeing other specialists, and is not physically delayed. To me, that is extraordinary. I am a strong supporter of chiropractic care, and both of my children get adjusted regularly.
"Chiropractic care benefits children by correcting the spinal alignment to improve their overall health. Gentle, noninvasive and drug free, chiropractic adjustments treat, resolve and prevent a wide range of health problems. Parents report successful treatment of children's health issues such as acute earache, upper respiratory infection, muscle pain, neck pain and accident trauma. Spinal manipulation for children as young as newborn babies is an alternative treatment for the discomfort of colic and other digestive disorders as well. Parents surveyed by the ICPA reported behavioral improvement for kids who saw a chiropractor, as well as improved sleep and stronger immune systems. Chiropractic America reports that natural, drug-free chiropractic care is sometimes more effective than traditional medical approaches for chronic earache, scoliosis and neck pain. Headaches and sleep disorders of nonspecific causes respond well to spinal adjustments, which affect and repair interrupted neural pathways. Asthma and allergy symptoms and patterns of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may also be treatable with chiropractic. Periodic ongoing adjustments at a young age may help stave off the above ailments before they begin. Proper spinal alignment now may delay or prevent degenerative bone or joint disease, such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis
(Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/71159-benefits-chiropractic-care-kids/#ixzz1WfAkJsKr)
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