Torticollis and Flat Spots: How They're Connected (and What Parents Can Do)

If you've noticed your baby tends to turn their head to one side, or you've spotted a flatter patch developing on the back or side of their skull, you're not imagining things — and you're definitely not alone. Torticollis (tight neck muscles that pull the head to one side) and positional plagiocephaly (a flattened area of the skull from repeated pressure) show up together more often than many parents realize. At VKT, we see this pairing often in our Brentwood and Westchester clinics, and the good news is that both respond really well to early, gentle intervention.

Why They Often Go Hand in Hand

Babies' skulls are soft and still forming in the first several months of life, which is wonderful for growth but also means consistent pressure on one spot can reshape it. When torticollis makes it hard or uncomfortable for a baby to turn their head in both directions, they naturally rest in the position that's easiest for them — over and over, in the car seat, crib, and swing. That repeated position is exactly what creates a flat spot. In other words, the tight muscle often comes first, and the flattening follows as a side effect of favoring one side.

Signs to Watch For

A few things we encourage parents to notice: a head that consistently tilts to one side or turns preferentially in one direction, a flat patch on the back or one side of the head, one ear that appears to sit slightly forward of the other, or a baby who seems to fuss when you try to turn their head the "non-preferred" way. None of these mean you've done anything wrong — they're simply cues that it's a good time for an evaluation.

The Good News: Treating One Helps the Other

This is where early pediatric PT really shines. When we loosen and stretch the tight neck muscle and help build strength and comfort turning both ways, babies naturally start spending more time off that flattened spot — which gives the skull room to round back out, especially in the early months when it's most moldable. Pairing hands-on therapy with simple changes at home (alternating which end of the crib baby faces, supervised tummy time, repositioning during feeds) often makes a noticeable difference within weeks. The earlier we start, the more these two issues tend to resolve together rather than needing separate, longer courses of treatment.

When to Reach Out

If any of this sounds familiar, there's no need to wait and see. A quick evaluation can tell you exactly what's going on and whether therapy would help — most families are glad they didn't put it off.

We'd love to meet your little one. Book a free screening or consultation with our team at our Brentwood or Westchester clinic, or give us a call at (424) 724-0944. We're always happy to answer questions, even if you're just not sure yet whether it's "something."