alternative to neck stretches for 8 m old

moodymaximus · 2008-12-04

we have a physiotherapis for positional plagiocephaly. she suggested two types of stretches: cheek to the floor and ear to shoulder, turn and hold to 15seconds. i'm able to do the first one while she's napping in the wrap. but ear to shoulder is impossilbe. the physiotherapist suggests to force her shoulders to the floor, to forcefully turn her head and hold it for 15 seconds! 6 times in a row, 3-4 times a day. how else can i stretch the same muscles without this trauma?

mbbinsc

· #2 · Dec 4, 2008

Was the therapsit able to achieve this stretch? I don't know if you are trying to get rotation or lateral bending. You could try positioning her sidelying with toys in front to use gravity help get ear to shoulder. It'll take longer but be doable if you can incorporate play into stretches. Try positioning then using other children to create reason for DD to turn head (you'll have to hold trunk).

If you have tried all other ways (like changing her position in bed, moving high chair to encourage neck movement), you may have to go with the more aggressive stretching.

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moodymaximus

Discussion Starter · #3 · Dec 5, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbbinsc

Was the therapsit able to achieve this stretch? I don't know if you are trying to get rotation or lateral bending. You could try positioning her sidelying with toys in front to use gravity help get ear to shoulder. It'll take longer but be doable if you can incorporate play into stretches. Try positioning then using other children to create reason for DD to turn head (you'll have to hold trunk).

If you have tried all other ways (like changing her position in bed, moving high chair to encourage neck movement), you may have to go with the more aggressive stretching.

well, the therapist forced her while she screamed.

i'm doing many exercises on the exercise ball--holding her in the sitting position and leaning her.

i realised i can stretch laterally when she naps as well--letting her head hang from the wrap.

we just started all the other interventions so it is early to tell wheather altering her environment and other exercises are enough or not.

i just can't imagine holding her down for 15 sec when she screams. i wonder if stretching while she naps on me will be enough. or if there are other options. the therapist said her range is very good, it is only the very last little bit that we need to work on. so if we do it with the toys etc, she is not reaching that last little bit...

the therapist was very ap-unfriendly and dismissive, so i don't think she has gentler alternatives in mind. she didn't see anything wrong with pinnnig her down and slowly counting to 15. i let her to about 6, and still felt bad about it.

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mbbinsc

· #4 · Dec 6, 2008

I would think that you could get a good passive stretch during naps if positioned correctly. Can you tell if you are getting as much range as when the therapist did the aggressive stretch? Were you able to show the stretches that you could do in the wrap to the therapist? I am impressed that you were so creative.

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quietserena

· #5 · Dec 6, 2008

I'm so sorry your therapist is like that.

I'm wondering whether holding down a screaming baby even has any benefit - surely the muscles tense during the screaming.

The mom we had in our group whose son had positional plagiocephaly ended up also going to a chiropractor and an osteopath both of which helped. I don't know if you're in the position to go see them, but I think I would if it were me.

Is there any chance to see a different therapist? A referral for someone who's more child friendly?

The recommendation to force the LO to do something that's uncomfortable, maybe painful three to four times a day almost seems like a way to set up a mother for a lot of stress and tears.

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moodymaximus

Discussion Starter · #6 · Dec 6, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by quietserena

I'm so sorry your therapist is like that.

I'm wondering whether holding down a screaming baby even has any benefit - surely the muscles tense during the screaming.

The mom we had in our group whose son had positional plagiocephaly ended up also going to a chiropractor and an osteopath both of which helped. I don't know if you're in the position to go see them, but I think I would if it were me.

Is there any chance to see a different therapist? A referral for someone who's more child friendly?

The recommendation to force the LO to do something that's uncomfortable, maybe painful three to four times a day almost seems like a way to set up a mother for a lot of stress and tears.

nak

thanks. i will see a chiro; we already saw / are seeing a CST, but she feels she's "done";

the therapist we saw was at the childrens hospital, specializing in babies

:

i will see how she evaluates dd's progress on monday, and will look for someone else if needed. i just don't have a good feeling about her. she seemed knowledgeable, bit didn't even try to establish rapport with DD.

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