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“Treating Torticollis with Aquatic and Physical Therapy in the comfort of your home.”

Company Purpose

Tortiquatics Therapy, LLC was created to provide aquatic therapy and home physical therapy services for babies (newborn to 12 months) diagnosed with Torticollis and Plagiocephaly.
  • We provide custom treatment plans to improve your baby’s posture and mobility.
  • Then, we work with your infant to carry out those plans, helping them achieve neutral alignment and symmetrical movement patterns.
  • We strive to reduce parents’ day-to-day stress and provide assistance when parents need it the most.

How It Works

Parents do not have to drive their infants to a therapy center.
  • A licensed therapist travels to your home and provides aquatic and physical therapy in a personal setting.
  • If you do not have a pool at your home, but have access to a pool through a family member or friend, we can provide the aquatic therapy service at that location.
  • No special equipment is needed and the therapist may bring certain items such as a pool mat, pool noodle, floatation rings, and toys.
  • Tortiquatics Therapy is a cash-based business. Payment is expected at the time of the service.
  • Evaluation: 1.5 hours, $200
  • Treatment: 1 hour, $150
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Our Services

Torticollis

Torticollis simply means wryneck or twisted neck and is relatively common in babies due to a tight muscle in their neck. The muscle becomes tight mainly due to positioning in utero which causes the baby’s head to tilt in one direction and rotate the opposite direction. Parents often notice their baby’s preference for rotating their head in one direction. Torticollis can improve with stretching and range of motion activities to achieve midline alignment.

Plagiocephaly

Plagiocephaly is also known as a flat head due to the flat spot created from increased pressure on the back of a baby’s skull. Babies who spend a lot of time on their backs are susceptible to misshapen heads and plagiocephaly which contributes to asymmetries of ears, forehead, cheek, and chin. Repositioning techniques provided by a physical therapist can also help improve head shape during daily activities.

Aquatic Therapy

This therapy is provided in a pool setting that uses the unique properties of water to enhance posture and mobility.
  • Aquatic therapy benefits include improved range of motion, strength, balance, and posture.
  • The warm therapeutic temperatures promote muscle relaxation and facilitate neck stretches.
  • Buoyancy reduces the effects of gravity, allows the body to move freely, and offers a safe environment to address balance and head control.
  • Viscosity and surface tension of water are a resistance that promotes strengthening of the core and legs for midline alignment.
  • Aquatic therapy is a fun and pain-free way to improve a baby’s tight neck in a playful environment

Developmental Skills

Torticollis can lead to asymmetrical movement patterns. Babies may prefer rolling only to one side, limited reaching on affected side, poor balance and head control, and side sitting to one side. Postural imbalances and limited mobility may also lead to asymmetrical crawling and gait disturbances. Tummy time is very important to improve overall mobility and developmental skills. Working with a physical therapist and carryover of a home exercise program can prevent developmental delays related to Torticollis.

About Owner and Therapist

Keri Kirkham Chavez is a licensed physical therapist and the owner of Tortiquatics Therapy, LLC. She graduated from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy and has 10 years of experience, 8 years with Texas Children’s Hospital Sugar Land Specialty Care. All of Keri’s experience has been in pediatric physical therapy, with a specialty treating aquatic therapy and infants with Torticollis and Plagiocephaly. She has provided outpatient services for patients from newborn to 21 years old with diagnoses including developmental delay, genetic syndromes, tethered cord, Down syndrome, Muscular dystrophy, Cerebral palsy, toe walking, Plagiocephaly, and Torticollis. Keri is also certified in CPR. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time outdoors and traveling to National Parks with her husband.

FAQ

We are “out of network” for all insurance companies and are cash-based providers. This allows us to

spend more one-on-one time with each patient and family to provide the highest quality care.

Texas is a direct access state with limitations. An evaluation can be completed and a patient can be treated for 10 business days without physician orders. A signed physician order is needed to continue with therapy after 10 business days. A referral order form can be provided by your physical therapist.
We are a cash-based business and accept cash, credit, or debit.
We do not have a physical clinic location. The physical therapist travels to your home.
Houston and surrounding areas including Heights, Memorial, River Oaks, Cypress, Sugar Land, and Katy.
Please send us an email at hello@tortiquaticstherapy.com if you have a question regarding your location.
First, your baby will be evaluated in the comfort of your home. The assessment will include range of motion, strength, facial asymmetries, and developmental skills. An aquatic assessment may also be completed during the first visit depending on time and pool availability. Parent education will also be provided with home exercise program handouts and repositioning techniques.
Evaluations: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Treatments: 1 hour
Frequency and Duration vary from patient to patient. It will be discussed with parents at the evaluation.
Babies can wear swimwear and must wear a swim diaper. Please have a towel ready for the end of treatment session.
Parents do not need specific equipment. We will use toys you have available. Therapist may bring items for assessment.
Physical therapist and parent will work as a team to slowly introduce your baby to the water.
Birth to 12 months.
No worries! If a friend or family member has a pool, we can provide services at their location. We also have access to a couple of pools in the Houston area. Please send an email to hello@tortiquaticstherapy.com if you have questions regarding pool access.