Everything I know about Tummy Time & Rolling I wrote in this book --> amzn.to/3Q8dg5U (affiliate link) MORE QUESTIONS? Book an online parent consult here: drlaurenbaker.clientsecure.me/request/service
My little one is 2 and has been in therapy since 3 months old. Even with TMR still has torticollis and tortisoma that rebound again and again. She tends to get tight again and again as she grows or has reflux or constipation issues. I wonder what this philosophy says about using the TMR to release the fascia but then also stretching to elongate that muscle once there is a release? I never hear why we can't do that.
Hi @@ericagriffin5261 , thank you so much for the comment. I am SO bummed to hear that your daughter's experience has been so rough -- this does happen, and can be incredibly frustrating for all involved. You are correct that anytime a growth spurt happens, Torticollis is at risk for reoccurance, so that is not uncommon -- frustrating but not uncommon. This is a little tricky but I will try my best to answer. I personally do use both, I typically use traditional stretching for the front of the neck (backbends on the stability ball) but TMR for the trunk. Technically, one could use TMR for the neck in my understanding, but I do not see it in practice much (I am also only trained in level 1 and there are three levels so there is a gap in my knowledge). Susan Blum, who is the creator of TMR Tots (which is technically what we use for kiddos) ONLY utilizes TMR for all of her therapy and does not utilize any traditional stretching. She does do online consultations, though, for parents who are struggling or in combination with TMR therapists and it might be worth it to email her to see if there are any gaps (she is brilliant): tmrtots@gmail.com A few other ideas: Vision and GERD can also be complicating factors for Torticollis. Since it has been such a rough road, I would absolutely make sure vision has been ruled out. The other consideration that you may or may not have tried is craniosacral therapy and/or to have a posterior tongue tie evaluation. There is a lot of information that ties the fascia of the tongue to the tips of the toes, and if there are ties they can restrict fascial lines and can influence torticollis. Most Pediatiricans only screen for anterior (front) tongue ties but not posterior (back) tongue ties. Here is a blog post with all the info I personally know! drlaurenbaker.com/blog/what-parents-want-to-know-about-tongue-ties-and-lip-ties I have seen craniosacral therapy work well to decrease tension in babes and toddlers as well. I am not personally trained in it but do refer out to clinicians who are for some of my kiddos and may be worthwhile on your journey. I hope this helps!
Hi Leslie! Thank you so much for your comment. Torticollis is tricky because it is so individualistic, that being said here is how I personally treat torticollis 90% of the time for littles. 1. Front neck stretches (often we are not taught these and the front of the neck can be tight as well as the sides -- check out the backbends on the stability ball exercise on the channel) 2. TMR screens in the following directions (there is a TMR playlist): Lower trunk sidebend (this video), upper trunk rotation (in sitting if baby has head control), upper trunk rotation / lower trunk rotation lying on back. Do all of the directions that are not equal using the TMR philosophy at the trunk going to the easy side. 3. Add in side neck stretches ONLY after the trunk mobility is resolved. Most of the time, after the trunk restrictions are relieved via TMR I do not need to add in side neck stretches, but a lot of therapists are fans of them and teach them. If you do traditional neck stretches, usually I do not use the TMR method for that but stick with the traditional stretching lengthening principal. That being said, one COULD use the TMR principles for the neck, but I personally do not and try to avoid the neck stretches because most babies are not huge fans of them if I can. I would also highly recommend body work, infant massage, or cranial sacral therapy if you have it available in your area. If babe is officially diagnosed with Torticollis, would also recommend on-going PT if possible. They will be able to screen other causes of Torticollis such as vision or movement difficulties. Hopefully this is helpful! Good luck, Torticollis can be tough, but it's always best to treat it as much as possible for long term health and mobility.
@@DrLaurenBaker Thank you so much for replying! I am a pediatric PT and have actually been thinking about going to take the TMR coursework after seeing your videos!
@@LesReadsMore OMG YESSS DO IT! i have only taken level 1 (torticollis is covered even more in level 2 and planning for 2024, they recommend a re-take of level 1 before taking level 2 and moving across the country has taken up most of my life lately!). But YESSS absolutely 10000000000% recommend taking it, it will blow your mind a bit, but it is really cool to feel it both on your body during the course and the littles once you start doing it on them. PS email me info@drlaurenbaker.com or add me on insta @drlaurenbaker and shoot me a DM so I can follow back (I'm the worst at realizing someone follows me) and let me know if you end up taking it, my friend Brittany and I are going to try to re-take virtual or in person together this fall or January before we do level 2.
Everything I know about Tummy Time & Rolling I wrote in this book --> amzn.to/3Q8dg5U (affiliate link)
MORE QUESTIONS? Book an online parent consult here: drlaurenbaker.clientsecure.me/request/service
My little one is 2 and has been in therapy since 3 months old. Even with TMR still has torticollis and tortisoma that rebound again and again. She tends to get tight again and again as she grows or has reflux or constipation issues. I wonder what this philosophy says about using the TMR to release the fascia but then also stretching to elongate that muscle once there is a release? I never hear why we can't do that.
Hi @@ericagriffin5261 , thank you so much for the comment. I am SO bummed to hear that your daughter's experience has been so rough -- this does happen, and can be incredibly frustrating for all involved. You are correct that anytime a growth spurt happens, Torticollis is at risk for reoccurance, so that is not uncommon -- frustrating but not uncommon. This is a little tricky but I will try my best to answer. I personally do use both, I typically use traditional stretching for the front of the neck (backbends on the stability ball) but TMR for the trunk. Technically, one could use TMR for the neck in my understanding, but I do not see it in practice much (I am also only trained in level 1 and there are three levels so there is a gap in my knowledge). Susan Blum, who is the creator of TMR Tots (which is technically what we use for kiddos) ONLY utilizes TMR for all of her therapy and does not utilize any traditional stretching. She does do online consultations, though, for parents who are struggling or in combination with TMR therapists and it might be worth it to email her to see if there are any gaps (she is brilliant): tmrtots@gmail.com
A few other ideas: Vision and GERD can also be complicating factors for Torticollis. Since it has been such a rough road, I would absolutely make sure vision has been ruled out.
The other consideration that you may or may not have tried is craniosacral therapy and/or to have a posterior tongue tie evaluation. There is a lot of information that ties the fascia of the tongue to the tips of the toes, and if there are ties they can restrict fascial lines and can influence torticollis. Most Pediatiricans only screen for anterior (front) tongue ties but not posterior (back) tongue ties. Here is a blog post with all the info I personally know! drlaurenbaker.com/blog/what-parents-want-to-know-about-tongue-ties-and-lip-ties
I have seen craniosacral therapy work well to decrease tension in babes and toddlers as well. I am not personally trained in it but do refer out to clinicians who are for some of my kiddos and may be worthwhile on your journey. I hope this helps!
Following this train of thought, should we also stretch into the tilt side in torticollis treatment? Thanks!
Hi Leslie! Thank you so much for your comment. Torticollis is tricky because it is so individualistic, that being said here is how I personally treat torticollis 90% of the time for littles.
1. Front neck stretches (often we are not taught these and the front of the neck can be tight as well as the sides -- check out the backbends on the stability ball exercise on the channel)
2. TMR screens in the following directions (there is a TMR playlist): Lower trunk sidebend (this video), upper trunk rotation (in sitting if baby has head control), upper trunk rotation / lower trunk rotation lying on back. Do all of the directions that are not equal using the TMR philosophy at the trunk going to the easy side.
3. Add in side neck stretches ONLY after the trunk mobility is resolved. Most of the time, after the trunk restrictions are relieved via TMR I do not need to add in side neck stretches, but a lot of therapists are fans of them and teach them. If you do traditional neck stretches, usually I do not use the TMR method for that but stick with the traditional stretching lengthening principal. That being said, one COULD use the TMR principles for the neck, but I personally do not and try to avoid the neck stretches because most babies are not huge fans of them if I can.
I would also highly recommend body work, infant massage, or cranial sacral therapy if you have it available in your area. If babe is officially diagnosed with Torticollis, would also recommend on-going PT if possible. They will be able to screen other causes of Torticollis such as vision or movement difficulties. Hopefully this is helpful! Good luck, Torticollis can be tough, but it's always best to treat it as much as possible for long term health and mobility.
@@DrLaurenBaker Thank you so much for replying! I am a pediatric PT and have actually been thinking about going to take the TMR coursework after seeing your videos!
@@LesReadsMore OMG YESSS DO IT! i have only taken level 1 (torticollis is covered even more in level 2 and planning for 2024, they recommend a re-take of level 1 before taking level 2 and moving across the country has taken up most of my life lately!). But YESSS absolutely 10000000000% recommend taking it, it will blow your mind a bit, but it is really cool to feel it both on your body during the course and the littles once you start doing it on them. PS email me info@drlaurenbaker.com or add me on insta @drlaurenbaker and shoot me a DM so I can follow back (I'm the worst at realizing someone follows me) and let me know if you end up taking it, my friend Brittany and I are going to try to re-take virtual or in person together this fall or January before we do level 2.
also re-takes are always free :)