Physical Therapy

At Caleb's 2 month doctor's appointment, Patrick and I mentioned to the doctor that Caleb always looks to his right side and we think he's starting to get a flat spot on the side of his head because of this.  The doctor thought that Caleb would benefit from going to see a physical therapist.  We visited the physical therapist on Thursday afternoon and Caleb was diagnosed with torticollis & plagiocephaly.  Torticollis means that Caleb has a muscular imbalance in the muscles of the neck.  In Caleb's case, his muscles in the right side of his neck are very tight and the muscles in the left side of his neck are weak.  These tight muscles cause Caleb to hold his head consistently to the right side, causing a flat spot (aka, plagiocephaly).

The physical therapist gave us some stretches that will loosen up the muscles on the right side of Caleb's neck.  Patrick and I have also both been instructed to always hold Caleb on our right arm, so that he's forced to look left.  Basically in everything we do we're supposed to encourage Caleb to look left.  The physical therapist explained that right now Caleb doesn't even realize that he has a left side!  So we're working to correct this, otherwise there go our dreams of having an all-star MLB pitcher.  :)

We also have an appointment with the physical therapist each week, for the next 3 weeks to help us with the stretches.  After that, we'll continue going to therapy as much as Caleb needs it.  Once his muscles are better, we'll hope that the flat spot will correct itself.  However, if his head shape doesn't improve by the time Caleb is 4-5 months old they will recommend that he wear a helmet.  The helmet would have to be worn for 23 hours a day for about 1-2 months.  We're hoping that these stretches help out!!!

Here are some pictures from the last week.  You'll see in these photos that Caleb prefers to look right: :)

In his Tiger's gear!!!  Daddy got to go to the game....Caleb stayed home.  :)

Many of you know that Caleb loves his baths!!!  Here he is lounging in the tub.

In his UCF gear, for the first game this season.
Don't tell anyone...but he pooped in his outfit before the game started.
Maybe he's not a UCF fan?  :)