Plagiocephaly and Torticollis

Plagiocephaly

Plagiocephaly is a disorder in which one side of a baby’s head is flattened. It is caused when a baby spends a lot of time lying in the same position. As babies’ skulls are soft, they are susceptible to being ‘moulded’ into a flat shape. The ear on the flattened side may be pushed forward and the face may be asymmetric.

For more information about what to expect from physiotherapy and activities that you can do with your baby to reduce the chances of them developing plagiocephaly or help it to resolve please see the leaflet.

Torticollis

Torticollis is the term used to describe a condition where a baby turns or tilts their head more to one side than the other due to tightness of a muscle on one side of the neck.  The preference to look in one direction more than the other can lead to flattening on this side of the head (plagicophaly).

Non-urgent advice: Learn more

For more information visit:

Page last reviewed: 4 October, 2024