Life hasn’t been easy for little baby Mckenna (center), who was born on January 29, 2018 with torticollis, a tightening of the neck muscles that causes the head to tilt. Mckenna also has plagiocephaly, a flat spot on one side of her head. To help her daughter face these multiple challenges, Nicole Troxel turned to the Physical Therapy department at Palo Alto County Health System, which provides services for patients of all ages, from infants to seniors in their 90s.
For eight months, two times a week, Nicole took Mckenna to see Tricia Willeford (right), Rehab Services Director and Cassie Hersom (left), Physical Therapy Assistant. “They were both so good with my daughter,” Nicole says. “They helped Mckenna with pool and land-based therapy to stretch out the muscles in her neck. Their expert advice was so helpful. And Cassie took pictures showing the right technique to use so I would feel confident working with my daughter at home.”
Today, Mckenna is developmentally back on track. “She’s pulling herself up to a standing position and is
about ready to walk!” Nicole says. “I would recommend the Physical Therapy services at Palo Alto County Health System to anyone. They were not only good working with my daughter, they also have the patience and understanding to really help the parents, too!”
