Total Motion Release (TMR): Upper Trunk Twist for Torticollis | Pediatric PT #61

🧠 Total Motion Release (TMR): Upper Trunk Twist & Torticollis | Pediatric Physical Therapy #61 Torticollis is a condition where a baby’s head tilts to one side and turns to the other. While many traditional approaches focus on stretching the tight side, Total Motion Release (TMR®) offers a different way of thinking about postural restrictions and asymmetry. In this video, pediatric physical therapist Amy Sturkey introduces the Total Motion Release philosophy and demonstrates how it can be applied to babies with or without torticollis. TMR looks at a set of movements performed on both sides of the body, identifies which direction is harder or more restricted, and then works in the easier direction first — rather than directly stretching the tight side. 👶🏼 Meet Bode, a typically developing baby who does not have torticollis. He is helping demonstrate how to assess upper trunk rotation, compare left versus right movement, and hold the easier direction to see whether movement on the more restricted side improves. This approach encourages therapists and caregivers to think about torticollis from a global, whole-body movement perspective, rather than focusing only on the neck. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction & overview of Total Motion Release 00:16 – What TMR is and how it looks at postural restrictions 00:31 – TMR from a pediatric perspective 00:48 – Why TMR feels counter-intuitive to many therapists 01:04 – Comparing movements side to side 01:27 – Why TMR works the easier side first 02:42 – Overview of movement testing in TMR 03:19 – Upper trunk twist demonstration begins 03:36 – Assessing left versus right upper trunk rotation 04:06 – Holding the easier direction 04:30 – Rechecking the restricted side 05:07 – Repeating and reassessing movement 05:49 – Applying this idea to left or right torticollis 06:03 – Final thoughts & encouragement 06:15 – Subscribe & notifications ⚠️ 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. 📚 Learn more about Total Motion Release (TMR) Official pediatric TMR training and philosophy: https://www.tmrtots.com/ (This link is provided for reference only and does not imply affiliation or endorsement.) 📘 Clinical Guidelines for the Treatment of 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 educational 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 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