Torticollis Can Cause a Tight Hip? What Now? 👶🏻 | Torticollis Treatment #66

Right Hip Flexor Stretch for Torticollis | Pediatric Physical Therapy Children with torticollis often develop tightness beyond the neck. In this video, pediatric physical therapist Amy Sturkey demonstrates simple ways to stretch the hip flexor for babies with right-sided torticollis for parents 👩🏻‍🦰👩🏽‍🦱👨🏾‍🦲, caregivers 👩🏾‍⚕️👨🏼‍⚕️, and therapists working with infants. Torticollis is commonly described as a neck condition, but it frequently affects the entire body. Research and clinical observation show that babies with right-sided torticollis often develop tightness through the right hip flexor and right lower back. These patterns can influence posture, movement, and symmetry throughout the trunk and pelvis. In this video, pediatric physical therapist Amy Sturkey demonstrates simple ways to assess and stretch the right hip flexor using positioning and gentle movement. One technique compares how far each leg moves when the opposite leg is held down, helping caregivers observe differences between the two sides. The video also introduces a concept from Total Motion Release (TMR®), which focuses on shortening the easier side of the body to help the restricted side relax. Rather than stretching the tight muscle directly, positioning the body in the direction of ease may allow the tighter structures to release more comfortably. 👶🏻 Meet Bode, a typically developing 7-month-old who does not have torticollis. He helps demonstrate the techniques used to address right hip flexor tightness associated with right-sided torticollis so families 👩🏽‍🍼👨🏿‍🍼👩🏼‍🍼 and therapists can better visualize the positions. As with many babies this age, Bode becomes fussy during the demonstration, so the stretches are shown briefly. This reflects real-life practice with infants and highlights how even short opportunities can be used to work on positioning and stretching. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 00:14 – Right-sided torticollis and whole-body patterns 00:31 – Hip flexor tightness and trunk involvement 00:40 – Checking hip flexor length in supine 01:07 – Using TMR “shorten to lengthen” concept 01:41 – Stretching the hip flexor on the back 02:03 – Hip flexor stretch in prone position 02:23 – Summary ⚠️ Important note Total Motion Release® (TMR®) is a registered trademark. This video reflects clinical education and application by a pediatric physical therapist and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the TMR organization. 📘 Clinical Practice Guidelines for Congenital Muscular Torticollis https://pediatricapta.org/clinical-practice-guidelines/Congenital-Muscular-Torticollis.cfm 🧩 Watch the entire torticollis playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAkJbMrHyKjOS1oT3rtE8PzHf_KL-dAz9 ⚠️ Safety Note These videos are for educational purposes and are not a replacement for in-person physical therapy. Every child is unique. Please do not try these techniques if your baby’s health or motor skills differ significantly from Bode’s. (I cannot provide treatment recommendations for a child I have not personally evaluated.) 📧 Contact amysturkey@gmail.com 🌐 Website www.pediatricPTexercises.com 🪶 Accessibility Closed captions have been reviewed and corrected. To turn on captions: Click CC To change languages: ⚙️ Settings → Subtitles/CC → Choose language or Auto-translate If captions block important details, they can be toggled off in the video player. 📚 Books by Amy Sturkey (Amazon) “P is for Poop and Pee Accidents” – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLSRJ483 “A is for Anxiety” – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09LXQ3W6V “A is for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder” – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08QH9H5HR “C is for Cerebral Palsy” – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088TSJCYP “D is for Down Syndrome” – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079P8HH49 “A is for Autism” – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071F4FFTB 🧠 Professional PT Books Pediatric Physical Therapy Strengthening Exercises for the Hips – https://www.amazon.com/dp/0998156736 Pediatric Physical Therapy Strengthening Exercises for the Knees – https://www.amazon.com/dp/0998156760 Pediatric Physical Therapy Strengthening Exercises for the Ankles – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08TX2ZCFD