Congenital Torticollis – Kinesiology tape

The physiotherapist can apply kinesiology tape with CureTape® as part of the treatment to counteract Congenital Torticollis.

What is Congenital Torticollis?

Congenital Torticollis is a deviation in the position of the head which usually becomes visible within a few weeks after birth. The head is slightly tilted and twisted, the child has difficulty keeping its head upright. The cause is a thickening in the sternocleidomastoid muscle. This neck muscle is responsible for lateral bending and rotation of the head. It originates from two heads: the sternal head (of the sternum or breastbone) and the clavicular head (of the clavicle or collarbone). The neck muscle runs upwards where it inserts into a protrusion of the temporal bone, the processus mastoideus. The thickening is easy to see and feel. It may disappear after a few months, but if the muscle shortening continues, the head will start to tilt.

Photo 1

Congenital Torticollis treatment with kinesiology tape

For the treatment of misalignment, we recommend a consultation with a paediatric physiotherapist. If this condition is not treated, an asymmetrical visual position may develop and surgery will eventually be necessary. The paediatric physiotherapist can apply kinesiology tapewith CureTape® as part of the treatment to counteract Congenital Torticollis.

Submitted case report of a 5-month-old baby with Congenital Torticollis:

We received the following case study from Claartje Gouw, herself a physiotherapist and mother of this then 5-month-old baby. Her child is being treated by a paediatric physiotherapist and an osteopath for misalignment. The right ear pulls towards the right shoulder and turning to the right is not possible (photo 1).

VIDEO

The treatment process did not yet have the desired effect and we received the question whether a treatment with Crosslinq or CureTape® could give a better result. The tape advice was applied and the difference was noticeable immediately after the application of CureTape®. After encouragement of his mother, the baby could turn his head to the right immediately, as you can see on the video. When you look closely you can also see the beige CureTape® tape strip in the neck. Photo 2 shows the end result.

Taping advice for a Congenital Torticollis

For babies, we recommend using our variant CureTape® Gentle. This tape has been specially developed for very young children, elderly people and for very sensitive skin. Try to achieve the desired effect with as little tape as possible.In this case, a strip of CureTape® about 2.5 cm wide and 10 cm long has been cut.

It is not necessary to apply the tape over the entire sternocleidomastoid muscle, applying it over the thickened fibrotic area is sufficient.

Tear the release paper in the middle and apply the tape as a ligament technique, without stretching. Although the effect is visible immediately, it is recommended to tape for 3 weeks, 5 days tape, 2 days rest, before the new tape is applied. Make sure that the tape does not cause any skin irritation. Remove the tape as carefully as possible. We recommend “greasing” the tape with (baby) oil for example, this dissolves the acrylic adhesive layer. Then remove the tape with an unrolling movement.

Photo 2

More information:

• Request a CureTape® sample pack for free »
• Continue reading about CureTape kinesiology tape and it’s effectiveness »
• Browse through the CureTape products in our webshop »
• Continue reading about kinesiology taping instructions »

Please note that applications provided on our website are not clinically proven. All mentioned applications are based on extensive evaluation and case studies with licensed physiotherapists and/or other health professionals.

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