Is physical therapy really necessary?

Question

So today my 3 week old baby had an appointment. At his appointment while he’s laying down being checked by his doctor, the doctor asks me if he always sleeps with his neck like that (which is to the left side) and I answered yes. This is my first kid so of course I’m still learning things. The doctor told me that if he sleeps with his head to the left side all the time to move it to the other side or else by his next appointment (which is next week when he’ll be a month) he’s going to recommend physical therapy. The doctor claims that laying on one side will make the other side of his neck bone not grow properly (something like that) and to stretch it out and now I’m actually worried because all day since I left and got home I’ve been trying to keep him from laying his head on the left side but it’s not working. My baby will either wake up and turn his head back to the left or he won’t go to sleep and I don’t want to have to keep my hand up to his head so he doesn’t move it. Has anyone ever had this problem? Any suggestions?

Answer

If your Dr is recommending something for the future well being and growth of your baby, I would do it.

Answer

My son always kept his head to one side and even flattened one side of his head. I took him to my chiropractor and he adjusted my son and had like a plan of appointments (it was like 2x a week for 6 weeks) something like that then once a month now it’s once every 3 months for maintenance. 
I’m so glad I took him to the chiropractor! Better sooner than later also my son’s head did shape out finally. I recommend adjustments fully.

Answer

Definitely see a therapist if your doctor recommends it. Wish I’d asked about my son’s head and neck sooner, but was told it was fine by a couple of people, so I didn’t call before his next appointment, which wasn’t for a good month. Anyway, his therapist was great, came to our house most of the time (did go to the park once or twice) and would always give us an exercise or two to do with him every week. Took care of the torticollis, and we avoided having to get him a helmet, but you can still tell the back of his head isn’t perfect if you can see through his hair.

Answer

I say do what the dr recommends

Answer

My son developed torticolis and not only needed physical therapy but also a helmet for the flat head that developed as a result. Listen to your pediatrician.

Answer

They can get tortocollis I think is how you spell it. PT is needed if so. Probably won’t be doing it long. I go to PT and ST every week for my daughter.

Answer

I rotated my sons head when he was awake and also would do stretches with him to avoid therapy

Answer

Your doctor is concerned about torticollis. It’s always easier to intervene early. You might look into/ask about chiropractic care as well as PT.
I have a friend whose baby had this and he had trouble breastfeeding for some time because of it.

Is physical therapy really necessary?

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