Panicked After Diagnosis? 21 Common Questions answered from a “Physician Expert”
- (713) 527-8499
- 2056 Sul Ross Street Houston, TX 77098Find Us
Popular searches
Torticollis treatment is highly recommended for young children and infants suffering from stiff necks.
Sections
Scientifically PROVEN, gentle, SAFE techniques by a Board-certified physician, and specialist that can address BOTH twisted neck AND head reshaping together.
Does your little one prefer to look to one side only and/or tilt their head? Does your baby prefer to breastfeed only on one side? Are you concerned that your infant might not be meeting their developmental milestones due to torticollis? Our torticollis specialist provides effective Torticollis Treatment in Houston, TX for infants using OMT, a natural and non-invasive treatment at our clinic, Osteopathic Healing Hands. Visit our clinic or book your appointment online.
Let me tell you a story.
Cecilia went through the roller coaster of IVF to finally conceive and sustain her pregnancy to term. The baby was in one position almost the whole pregnancy, and toward the end, the amniotic fluid level was low. She had a long labor, pushed for 2 hours, and had a successful vaginal delivery.
But the baby didn’t have a strong cry at delivery. She and her husband noticed that their baby preferred looking toward the right side, had a head tilt to the left, and they could see it when he was sleeping and in the many loving pictures they took of their newborn. This is a common sign of newborn torticollis, also known as wry neck infant.
The baby preferred breastfeeding on the left side. They also noticed the back side of the head was flatter on the side which he preferred to look. He hated tummy time, arched his back a lot, spit up frequently, and seemed uncomfortable and fussy. Cecilia was desperate for help.
With Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT), Cecilia was amazed at how much more at ease her baby seemed. The preference to look to the right and head tilt greatly improved, he spit up much less, breastfeeding became easier on the right side, and he started rolling over!
The torticollis neck issue also allowed his head shape to become more rounded without the need for a helmet! Everyone was ecstatic!
By addressing the root causes of torticollis disease with OMT, this treatment can relieve tension in the muscles and joints, promoting proper alignment and helping your baby reach their milestones without the need for invasive therapies. If you’re worried about childhood torticollis or wryneck treatment, don’t wait to seek help.
Torticollis treatments like OMT are a gentle, effective way to address wry neck and other related conditions, ensuring your baby gets the best start in life. Newborn torticollis doesn’t have to be a lifelong concern—early treatment can make all the difference.
YES, I’VE BEEN READY TO END THIS FEAR ABOUT WHAT TO DO NEXT!
Next sectionYes! In May 2006, The American Journal of Pediatrics said:
“Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT), particularly Osteopathy in the Cranial Field, is safe, effective, and well-tolerated in treating postural plagiocephaly, torticollis, and many other clinical conditions in children… Those of us who use the osteopathic approach to medicine rarely need to refer our patients for physical therapy or orthotics.”
Pediatricians Trust Us With Their Kids
“Dr. Banik was amazing! My infant daughter had moderate positional plagiocephaly
which was refractory to repositioning techniques recommended by physical
therapy. She was recommended for a helmet. As a pediatrician myself, I did not want to
go this route – it is expensive and cumbersome, and the evidence for use in non-severe cases
was not convincing. Many fellow physician moms suggested I find a DO who specialized
in therapy for this specific issue. We could not have been happier with Dr. Banik. My
daughter’s torticollis quickly resolved, and her head shape has normalized after a few
months. Dr. Banik explained everything as she was doing it, and I was never worried that
any treatment would be dangerous or uncomfortable for my baby. She was a pleasure to
visit each week, and my daughter seemed to enjoy it and would usually take a great nap
after treatments.” -Amanda
Next sectionWhat Does a Treatment from Osteopathic Healing Hands Look Like?
Most of our patients aren’t familiar with our type of medicine and we typically get the common question: “So you aren’t a chiropractor or a physical therapist, but treat with your hands? What does a treatment look like?
Next sectionStudies have shown infants treated with osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) also experienced:
Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment for babies is a highly successful, hands-on, non-invasive way to diagnose and treat the body. It uses zero equipment or machinery and can significantly improve and treat physical symptoms caused by conditions like trauma.
Next sectionThis disease, also called wry neck or twisted neck, is a condition caused by tightened or shortened neck muscles. Children with torticollis often have poor head control and tilt their heads toward one side with the chin turned to the other side. This is usually observed in the first 6 to 8 weeks of life. In newborns, torticollis can occur as a result of abnormal positioning of the head in the womb or birth trauma. In older children, it may result from injury to the neck muscles or from infections.
Newborn torticollis often arises from the trauma of giving birth or malpositioning in the womb. The baby’s skull bones are designed to be as flexible as possible to allow for passage through the birth canal. However, sometimes they can become misaligned, which can affect the spinal accessory nerve, which plays a major role in neck muscle functioning. One focus of osteopathic treatments for torticollis is correcting this anatomical dysfunction to allow for better function and improved movement in the affected muscles.
For example, one of the bones at the base of the skull is called the occiput. Another important bone is the temporal bone. Between these two bones is a hole called the jugular foramen, through which many nerves and veins pass. If the bones of the occiput and temporal bone are compressed during a traumatic birth, they can put pressure on the nerves passing through the jugular foramen. This can lead to one side of the neck muscles pulling harder than the other side, causing the characteristic tilt seen in torticollis neck.
My job is to help restore the bones of the skull, particularly the occiput and temporal bones, through osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT). This treatment alleviates the pressure on the nerves, allowing the baby’s body to naturally correct its posture and alignment. By addressing the root cause of torticollis, we help the child achieve proper neck function and posture, avoiding the need for more invasive treatments or long-term complications.
Next sectionChildren with trauma may exhibit various signs and symptoms such as:
Your physician will diagnose based on the birth history, which reveals the possibility of any birth injury and a careful physical examination. X-rays and ultrasound examination of the neck may be done to rule out other abnormalities and confirm the diagnosis. A thorough neurologic exam helps to assess the cause
Next sectionTreatment of Pediatric Torticollis is especially successful when started at an early age. Physical torticollis therapies are a common treatment. Osteopathic manipulative treatment is aimed at addressing the root cause of why it exists and resolving it in that respect.
Return to startOsteopath treatment for Torticollis
Neighborhoods
Montrose, River Oaks, Houston Heights, Midtown, Galleria-Uptown, Museum District, Upper Kirby, West University (West U), Bellaire, Memorial Village, EaDo (East Downtown), Heights, Tanglewood, Downtown Houston, Clear Lake, Kingwood, Spring Branch, Sharpstown, Alief, Cypresswood, Timber Grove, Oak Forest, Sunnyside, Gulfton, Braeswood Place, Woodlands, Lindale Park, Midtown, Greenway/Upper Kirby
Driving direction
Houston, TX, is centrally located in southeast Texas, easily accessible from multiple highways. If you’re driving to Houston from the north, take Interstate 45 South, which will bring you directly into the heart of the city. From the east, Interstate 10 West will take you toward downtown Houston, passing through key neighborhoods along the way. For those coming from the west, Interstate 10 East is the main route, leading straight into the city. If you’re approaching from the south, you can take Interstate 45 North, which also connects to the city’s central areas. Houston’s robust freeway system, including the 610 Loop and Beltway 8, offers convenient access to different parts of the city, with easy connections to surrounding suburbs like Bellaire, Kingwood, and Clear Lake. Make sure to account for possible traffic when navigating through peak hours, as Houston is known for its busy roads.
Frequently asked questions
Do you prescribe medication or perform surgery?
Osteopathic care at our Houston clinic focuses on non-pharmacological, hands-on approaches. While Dr. Banik is a licensed physician who understands when medication or surgery may be necessary, her clinic emphasizes natural techniques that may reduce reliance on prescriptions or invasive procedures.
What can I expect at my first appointment?
The first visit is an hour long, during which I take an extensive history to understand your unique situation. Then the rest of the time is spent performing osteopathic manipulative treatment. It is best if you wear loose, comfortable clothing for your treatments. Follow-up visits are half an hour.
What is osteopathic care?
Osteopathic medicine combines the knowledge of a fully licensed physician (DO) with hands-on techniques designed to ease discomfort and support the body’s natural ability to move and function. Many of our Houston patients describe feeling more mobile and energized after sessions.
Change your life
Other related services
