Restore Balance: Transform Your Baby’s Head Position Naturally

Is your child struggling with torticollis in Austin? You’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed watching your little one deal with a tilted or twisted neck that doesn’t seem to get better on its own. Many parents in South Austin and Circle C have sat in pediatrician offices hearing “they’ll grow out of it” or “just do more tummy time,” but deep down knowing their child needs more targeted help. At River City Wellness, we understand that torticollis isn’t just about neck positioning—it’s about how your child’s nervous system is functioning. Our neurologically-focused chiropractic approach has helped countless Austin families address the root cause of torticollis, supporting their children’s natural healing and development in ways they never thought possible.

What Is Torticollis?

Torticollis is a condition where a child’s neck muscles cause their head to tilt to one side and rotate in the opposite direction, creating a twisted appearance. In children, this condition typically develops due to muscle tightness in the sternocleidomastoid muscle, which runs along the side of the neck.

There are two main types of torticollis in children. Congenital torticollis is present at birth and often results from positioning in the womb or birth trauma. Acquired torticollis develops later and can be triggered by illness, injury, or nervous system dysfunction.

While the visible neck twist is the most obvious sign, torticollis affects much more than just head position. It can impact your child’s vision, balance, feeding, and overall development. The condition often creates a cascade of compensations throughout their growing body.

Signs and Symptoms of Torticollis in Children

Parents often notice several signs that indicate their child may be dealing with torticollis. These symptoms can range from obvious physical changes to subtle behavioral patterns:

• Head consistently tilted to one side
• Difficulty turning head in both directions equally
• Flat spot developing on one side of the head (plagiocephaly)
• Preference for looking in only one direction
• Uneven shoulder height
• Difficulty with feeding or nursing on one side
• Frequent fussiness or crying
• Delayed motor milestones like rolling or crawling
• Muscle tightness or a thick band felt along one side of the neck
• Facial asymmetry or uneven eye alignment

What Causes Torticollis? (The Root Cause)

Understanding what causes torticollis in children requires looking beyond just tight neck muscles to the underlying nervous system dysfunction. We often see what we call “The Perfect Storm”—a combination of birth trauma, environmental stress, and spinal subluxation that creates the ideal conditions for torticollis to develop.

Birth trauma, even from seemingly normal deliveries, can create subluxations in the upper cervical spine. These subtle misalignments interfere with nervous system communication and can leave your child’s system stuck in a state of fight-or-flight, known as sympathetic dominance. When the nervous system is constantly “on alert,” muscles remain tense and protective patterns develop.

The vagus nerve, which helps regulate digestion, breathing, and overall calm in the body, often becomes dysfunctional in children with torticollis. This creates a cascade effect where muscle tension, poor sleep, feeding difficulties, and developmental delays all compound each other. Environmental stressors like car seat positioning, lack of tummy time, or even household stress can further overwhelm an already struggling nervous system.

Rather than simply stretching tight muscles or waiting for the child to “grow out of it,” addressing the neurological root cause through specific chiropractic care helps restore proper nervous system function. This allows the body’s natural healing mechanisms to work effectively and supports healthy development.

How Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Helps Torticollis

A torticollis chiropractor in Austin who specializes in neurologically-focused care takes a completely different approach than traditional symptom-management methods. At River City Wellness, we use advanced INSiGHT scanning technology to objectively measure how your child’s nervous system is functioning before we ever touch them.

These scans reveal exactly where subluxations are interfering with nervous system communication and how much stress your child’s system is under. Research suggests that when we remove these interferences through gentle, specific pediatric adjustments, the nervous system can begin to function optimally again. Many families notice improvements not just in neck positioning, but in sleep, feeding, mood, and overall development.

Our experience shows that addressing subluxation at the root level supports vagus nerve function and enhances neuroplasticity—your child’s brain’s ability to form new, healthy patterns. The adjustments we use are incredibly gentle, often feeling like the pressure you’d use to check a tomato for ripeness. We’re not forcing bones into position; we’re removing interference so the nervous system can coordinate proper healing.

Children with torticollis often have related conditions like plagiocephaly, colic, or reflux. Because we’re addressing the nervous system comprehensively, many families see improvements across multiple areas of their child’s health. This whole-body approach recognizes that everything in the developing child is connected through the nervous system.

What to Expect at Your Child’s First Visit

Your child’s first visit to our South Austin clinic is designed to be thorough yet comfortable for both you and your little one. Dr. Peter Martinez and Dr. Sean Forbes understand that parents are often worried about their child’s condition and need clear answers about what’s really going on.

We begin with an initial consultation where we listen to your story without judgment. We want to understand your child’s birth history, current symptoms, and what you’ve already tried. Next, we perform our comprehensive INSiGHT neurological scans, which are completely painless and provide objective data about nervous system function.

During the review of findings, we’ll explain exactly what we discovered and how it relates to your child’s torticollis. If we can help, we’ll create a customized care plan specific to your child’s needs. Our office serves families from Circle C, Sunset Valley, Oak Hill, Barton Creek, and Manchaca, and we’re committed to making care accessible and understandable for every family.

Frequently Asked Questions About Torticollis

Is chiropractic safe for children with torticollis?

Pediatric chiropractic care is extremely safe when performed by doctors specifically trained in treating children. Our adjustments use no more pressure than you’d use to check the ripeness of a tomato. The techniques are completely different from adult adjustments and are specifically designed for developing spines. Research shows that adverse events from pediatric chiropractic care are extraordinarily rare.

How long until I see results with my child’s torticollis?

Every child responds differently, but many parents notice initial changes within the first few weeks of care. Some improvements like better sleep or less fussiness may happen quickly, while structural changes in head positioning typically take longer. We track progress objectively through re-examinations and follow-up scans to ensure your child is responding appropriately to care.

Does insurance cover chiropractic treatment for torticollis?

Many insurance plans do cover pediatric chiropractic care, though coverage varies by provider and plan. We’re happy to verify your benefits and help you understand your options. We also offer affordable payment plans because we believe every child deserves access to natural healthcare that addresses the root cause of their condition.

At what age can you start treating torticollis with chiropractic care?

We can safely assess and treat children with torticollis from birth onward. In fact, the earlier we can address nervous system dysfunction, the better the outcomes tend to be. Newborn spines are incredibly adaptable, and gentle chiropractic care can help prevent compensations from becoming entrenched patterns as your child grows.

How is neurologically-focused chiropractic different from physical therapy for torticollis?

While physical therapy focuses on stretching tight muscles and strengthening weak ones, neurologically-focused chiropractic addresses why those muscles became tight in the first place. We work with the nervous system that controls all muscle function, rather than just treating the symptoms. Many children benefit from both approaches working together.

Will my child need chiropractic care forever?

Our goal is to restore proper nervous system function so your child’s body can heal and develop normally. The length of care depends on factors like how long the condition has been present, your child’s age, and how their nervous system responds. We regularly reassess progress and adjust care plans accordingly, always working toward your child’s optimal health and development.

Take the Next Step for Your Child

Watching your child struggle with torticollis can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate this journey alone. South Austin families have trusted River City Wellness to provide gentle, effective care that addresses the root cause of their children’s health challenges. Dr. Martinez and Dr. Forbes are committed to helping your child not just manage symptoms, but truly thrive.

Taking the first step is often the hardest part. Our team understands your concerns and is here to answer any questions you may have about your child’s condition and how neurologically-focused chiropractic care might help. We’re conveniently located to serve families throughout Austin’s south side and surrounding communities.