Eli

A Helpful and Supportive Environment

Torticollis is a condition that can develop early in infancy that causes tightness in the neck muscles. Over time, this can result in limited movement, discomfort, and flattening of one side of the head for the child. While common, a torticollis diagnosis can be overwhelming for new parents, especially when it appears just days after birth.

That was the experience for mom Brittany. Her son, Eli, who began showing signs of torticollis just two days after he was born. By two months old, Eli was officially diagnosed and already experiencing flatness on one side of his head. Wanting the very best care for her son, she began researching pediatric-focused therapy options and was relieved to find Weisman Children’s Outpatient Rehabilitation. “Anytime you hear something is going on with your child, especially as a first-time mom, it’s scary,” she shared. “I wanted to make sure we went somewhere that truly specialized in pediatrics.”

Eli was able to get scheduled very quickly and began physical therapy when he was two months old. He attended weekly sessions for four months at Weisman Children’s Washington Township location, working closely with physical therapist Nicole. From the very first visit, the experience put Brittany at ease. “Even that first session with Nicole eased my nerves. She reassured me that she had seen this many times before. She was warm, bright, and genuinely happy to meet Eli and track his progress every week.”

As therapy continued, Nicole’s knowledge and encouragement was extremely helpful. Eli struggled with tummy time early on, something that worried his mom, but Nicole consistently provided assurance and practical tips to help at home. “There wasn’t one big gesture, it was just a lot of little things that added up to a great experience. The sessions were always well planned, and she was so good at communicating and giving us everything we needed.”

Over time, Eli made steady and meaningful progress. His strength and mobility improved, and the flatness in his head significantly resolved. When it was time to graduate from therapy, there was discussion that he might need a helmet after discharge. However, after being evaluated by a helmet specialist, Brittany was told it wasn’t necessary due to the success of his physical therapy. “That felt amazing,” his mom said. “It really confirmed that we did the right thing by bringing him to Weisman Children’s.”

Today, Eli is thriving. He is sitting independently, crawling, pulling to stand, and moving all around his crib at night. Developmentally, he is doing great, and his head shape has improved dramatically. Reflecting on the journey, his mom shares one piece of advice for other families: “Don’t be afraid to ask all the questions. Write them down and ask them. I never once felt silly. Everyone was so welcoming and knowledgeable.”

The experience at Weisman Children’s left a lasting impact on their family. “Nicole was a top-tier physical therapist, and we loved her work. She gave us the tools and confidence we needed, and it was truly invaluable. I would recommend Weisman Children’s to any family looking for specialized, compassionate pediatric care. They made a stressful time feel manageable and made all the difference for our son.”