Total Motion Release for Babies: Relieve Infant Tension to Improve Motor Milestones
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Hello there! I'm Dr. Lauren Baker, a pediatric physical therapist. Through this blog, I'm excited to share with you an effective technique known as Total Motion Release (TMR) that I've found incredibly beneficial for babies. My aim is to guide proactive parents like you in helping your little ones release tension and move with ease. Consider me your physical therapy bestie helping you help your babies move well.
What is Total Motion Release (TMR)?
Total Motion Release is a concept that is based in osteopathic medicine called the modified strain counterstrain principle. In simpler terms, it's about shortening a muscle to help it relax, thereby gaining range of motion in the opposite direction.
This technique is gentler than traditional stretching methods, which involve lengthening the muscle, creating that resistance you feel in your muscles when you stretch. In TMR, we do the opposite - we shorten the muscle, which is especially effective for babies due to its gentle nature.
Traditional stretching sometimes is less effective in infants, because when they feel the resistance of a tight muscles being “stretched” or “lengthened,” they may interpret that as dangerous and instead of relaxing, they can tense up.
Modified strain counterstain principles such as total motion release, use a positional release construct where you ONLY shorten the muscle, going into the easy direction or side, which allows the babies to continue to say calm and relaxed, since they are not feeling that resistance.
It sounds counter-intuitive but truthfully, it often achieves amazing and often quick results.
Why TMR for Babies?
Gentleness: It's far gentler compared to stretching, making it ideal for infants.
Effectiveness: It achieves the same goal of increased range of motion but in a more comfortable way for the baby.
Upper and Lower Trunk Rotation in TMR
In today's post, we'll focus on the upper and lower trunk rotation aspects of TMR. Babies bodies need to be able to twist in opposite directions equally. Their upper half of their body needs to go to the right, while their lower half of their body goes to the left easily as well as the opposite of those directions.
Think of wringing out a wet towel, you twist your right hand and left hand in opposite directions to squeeze out the water. Babies' bodies need to be able to twist like that in order to achieve their milestones such as rolling over (both directions) and getting into all fours to crawl.
Before You Start
Professional Evaluation: Ensure your baby is evaluated by a licensed therapist (physiotherapist or physical therapist) trained in TMR before trying these techniques. Total Motion Release for babies taught by Susan Blum, utilizes multiple principles. This video covers one simple positional release technique and should not be confused with Total Motion Release as a treatment option. To find a therapist trained in total motion release, please search here.
Direction of Ease: Your therapist will guide you on the correct direction of rotation for your baby. For positional release techniques using the TMR principles, you will ONLY hold the direction of ease.
The Techniques: watch the video down below to ensure that you are doing it correctly and to learn even more in detailed why this technique works well for infants.
Upper Trunk / Lower Trunk TMR Technique
Positioning: One hand supports under the baby's arms around their chest, and the other hand goes through the baby's legs with your hand being placed on their buttocks that is the same side as the arm you are using (if your right arm is around their chest, you will rest your hand on their right buttocks/pelvis and vice versa) .
Rotation: Gently rotate the baby's upper and lower trunk in the direction of ease by bringing the elbow of the arm that is through the legs backwards and holding their trunk steady against your chest. Only complete to the level of resistance and not past.
Duration: Spend 1-3 minutes in this position, depending on the baby’s tolerance and then follow up with 30 seconds to 1 minute of bouncing to “lock in” the newly gained motion.
TIMESTAMPS:
1:03 what is total motion release (TMR)
2:53 why the total motion release technique for babies is ideal for increasing range of motion
4:29 what not to do when using total motion release techniques for babies
5:09 what to do if a baby switches directions
5:37 RR upper trunk / LR lower trunk total motion release technique
7:13 LR upper trunk / RR lower trunk total motion release technique
8:17 safety tips and explanation of tmr upper twist lower twist technique
10:03 additional tips for upper twist lower twist TMR tots release technique
TOY IDEAS:
What Not to Do
Avoid Both Sides: Don’t work on both sides as you would in stretching. Stick to the direction of ease as advised by your therapist. If you do both sides, it isn’t as effective and instead of completing a positional release using TMR principles, you would be completing traditional stretching.
Handling: Always handle the baby gently, focusing on the pelvis and lower back, not the hip joints.
Additional Tips
Movement: Feel free to gently bounce or move around during the technique. I often bring them toward a window or walk around with them in my arms throughout the house.
Observation: Watch for the baby's cues. If they show discomfort, ease off. Never hold a baby in a position if they are trying to kick out of it, always allow them to move out of the position and then once they are calm, re-attempt.
Frequency: Aim for a 2-minute session followed by 30 seconds of gentle bouncing.
Curious About Learning More on Tummy Time, Rolling, or Both?
The absolute best book for parents on tummy time and rolling is: Tummy Time and Learning to Roll: A Baby Development Book for Ambitious Parents and Pediatric Healthcare Providers to Help Babies Learn to Roll Independently. The book comes with a free online video course to help parents fully understand how to complete the different exercises, printable checklists to know exactly where your baby is at, and when to reach out for additional help.
This book was written by Dr. Lauren Baker, PT, DPT, ATC, MTC, who is a Pediatric Physical Therapist in Boise, Idaho, trained in helping parents learn how to help their babies move and master their milestones. She loves teaching parents how to see how their babies are moving as well as how to influence those movements though play positions and exercises to help babies move with confidence and ease.
Tummy Time and Learning to Roll is the first book in the Proactive Play series written by Pediatric Physical Therapist Dr. Lauren Baker in order to help Ambitious Parents and Pediatric Healthcare Providers learn how to help babies master tummy time and learn to roll. It is meant to help ambitious parents understand baby development from birth to six months (tummy time to rolling).
This book is a mix of easy-to-follow and more in-depth information than is typically found in baby development books because Dr. Baker believes parents deserve to have all the information at their fingertips.
This book breaks down each piece of movement in checklists so that parents know what their babies need for tummy time and rolling. It also covers what areas might limit a child with rolling, why it is so important, and when to seek help from a pediatric PT.
This book comes with colored photos and easy-to-follow demonstration videos that can help parents implement safe, strategic play-based exercises with their babies in 20 minutes per day.
A Great Resource For:
Parents and Pediatric Healthcare Providers of babies 0-6 months
Parents of babies who are struggling with tummy time, rolling back to belly, belly to back, or only to one side
Access to simple, easy-to-follow videos of play positions and exercises
Learning the four pillars of movement needed in order to master rolling
240+ Color Photo Examples of:
Tummy Time, Sidelying, and Back Play
Developmental Toys and Equipment
Hand Placement and Strategic Play Positions
Common Areas of Restriction or Weakness
When To Reach Out For Help
What If You Want Extra Help?
If you have concerns about their movement, remember, you can always reach out to a pediatric physical therapist. It's your right as a parent to advocate for your child's development.
Sometimes, a few tips and tricks are all you need to get your baby moving better. We're here to support you and release those mama worries. If you are looking for in home pediatric physical therapy, check our listing of therapists.
For those eager to learn more or seeking personalized guidance, I offer online video parent consultations internationally which can be scheduled by clicking here. I am dedicated to answering questions and providing tailored play activities for each unique developmental journey.
When Should Babies Receive Pediatric Physical Therapy?
Parents can call and schedule with a Pediatric Physical Therapist at any time, for any concern in all fifty states without a referral from their Pediatrician.
Pediatric Physical Therapy is medically indicated in all babies who are not rolling in all four directions by six months (back to belly over their right arm AND left arm + belly to back over their right arm AND left arm).
Pediatric Physical Therapy is medically indicated if you notice a flat spot on the back of an infants head (possible plagiocephaly), a tilt of their head consistently to one side (ear to shoulder - possible torticollis), or a rotation preference of their neck (consistently look only to the right or left - possible torticollis).
Many Pediatric Physical Therapists including Dr. Baker, can successfully treat flat spots (Plagiocephaly) without a helmet with a combination of therapy and positioning strategies if seen prior to 4 months (0-3 months is ideal). Dr. Baker uses the Baby Begin Method of repositioning.
Flat spots can be due to in-utero positioning, rotational preference (right sided flatness most common) and babies are at an increased risk for flatness if they are male, were breech, multiple birth, premature, have difficulty with tummy time, show signs of Torticollis (tilt/rotation preference) or are in containers > 2 hr/day.
Final Thoughts
I hope this guide helps you understand and apply the Total Motion Release technique for your little one. It's essential to always prioritize gentleness and follow the guidance of a trained professional. If you have questions or want to learn more about pediatric mobility, feel free to reach out or schedule a consultation with me.
Remember, every baby's journey is unique, and your proactive approach in understanding and aiding their movement is invaluable. Stay tuned for more insights and tips on various stages of your baby's movement development – crawling, walking, rolling, and more!
Look down below for more resources on rolling or click on the blog post page if your baby is working on a different milestone such as crawling.
And that's it, friends! If you find this helpful, let me know in the comments of the youtube video. I love interacting with parents committed to their children's well-being. Here's to a journey of gentle, effective proactive play for your little ones! 🌟
In Home Pediatric Physical Therapy Near Me
We know finding a good pediatric physical therapist to come to your home is more difficult than it should be. We want you to feel comfortable getting the care and education you and your child need, in the most convenient way possible. Yes, that means we’re cool with you drinking your morning coffee in your pj’s while we see your kiddo.
To make that as easy as possible, we’ve curated a list of In Home Pediatric Physical Therapy near you. The list has been vetted to only include people we’d want in our own home for a bbq or birthday party.
If you’d like to learn more about any specific Physical Therapist on this list, check out to see if they have done an interview with Dr. Lauren Baker, on her youtube channel.
If you cannot find a therapist in your area, email us and we will reach out to our network of Pediatric PTs to see if we can connect you with one (and then add them to our list).
*if there is not an in home pediatric PT in your area, see this post for my recommended clinic based therapists (some may do in home therapy as well!).
United States: Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska | Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | New York | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington DC | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming
Alabama
Birmingham, AL — Dr. Katie Dougherty, PT, DPT, CLT — Physio Baby Therapy and Wellness
Arizona
East Valley Phoenix, AZ — Dr. Bonnie Soto, PT, DPT — Be Well Bebé
East Valley Phoenix, AZ — Dr. Amanda Dudek, PT, DPT, ATC — PT Mama
Gilbert, AZ — Dr. Tirsa Baker, PT, DPT - Renewed Play Physical Therapy — interview link
Scottsdale and Phoenix, AZ — Dr. Erin Dinnie, PT, DPT, COMT - Moving Together Physical Therapy — interview link
Scottsdale and North Phoenix, AZ — Dr. Stephanie Murillo, PT, DPT — email via Stephaniemurillopt@gmail.com
Scottsdale and Phoenix, AZ — Dr. Nikki Robinett, PT, DPT— Moving and Grooving Physical Therapy
California
Encinitas, CA — Michelle Schiewe — Ohana Physical Therapy
Livermore, CA — Dr. Rhea Schmidt, PT, DPT — Grow Well Physical Therapy — interview link
North Los Angelos, CA — Dr. Judy. J. Wang, PT, DPT, PCS — Lil Peanuts Physical Therapy
San Fernando Valley (Los Angelos), CA — Shlomit Bercovich, MPT — Mobile Pediatric Physical Therapy by Shlomit
Orange County, CA — Dr. Taylor Henderson, PT, DPT — BloomWell Pediatric and Perinatal Physical Therapy
North County San Diego, CA — Dr. Hope Reyes, PT, DPT - Moving Munchkins Physical Therapy
San Diego County, CA — Dr. Alicia Coffroth, PT, DPT & Team — Abilities Pediatric Physical Therapy
Tulare County & Visalia , CA — Dr. Lynzie Asuncion, PT, DPT — More About You Pediatric Physical Therapy and Wellness
Whittier, CA — Dr. Hazel M. Legaspi, PT, DPT — Dr. Legaspi Synergy Physical Therapy
Colorado
Denver, CO — Dr. Brita DeStefano PT, DPT, PCS - Progress Through Play — interview link
Connecticut
Fairfield/New Haven County, CT — Dr. Marcy Fernandes, DPT — Benchmark Pediatrics (PT, OT, SLP)
Shoreline, CT — Dr. Kali Penders, DPT — Costal Kids Physical Therapy (SLP, OT, PT)
Florida
Fort Lauderdale, FL — Dr. Alicia Teeters, PT, DPT — Leap Pediatric Therapy and Sports Medicine
Jacksonville, FL — Dr. Beverly I Reyes PT, DPT, DMI cert — The Sensory DPT PLLC
Jacksonville, FL — Dr. Erin Whitmarsh PT, DPT, PCS — Grow Strong Physical Therapy
Miami, FL — Dr. Brittany Aquart, PT, DPT, PCS — Lemon City Collective
Ocala, FL — Tricia Rogers Steffy, PT — Pivot Rehab LLC (email)
Space Coast or Brevard County, FL — Rachel Williams, PT — Sandy Toes Pediatric Physical Therapy
Weston, FL — Dr. Lindsey Bragg, PT, DPT — Jump Start Physical Therapy and Training
Georgia
Atlanta, GA — Jagruti Hambir, PT, MHS, CIMI — Babies and Beyond Physical Therapy
Atlanta, GA — Dr. Haley McDonald, PT, DPT, PCS — Pathway Pediatric Therapy
Atlanta, GA — Dr. Brittany Zis PT, DPT — Mother and Baby Wellness Collective
South Atlanta, GA — Dr. Kim Baugh, PT, DPT — Babies First, LLC
Idaho
Boise, ID — Dr. Lauren Baker, PT, DPT, ATC, MTC - Dr. Lauren Baker In Home Pediatric Physical Therapy
Indiana
Indianapolis, IN — Dr. Kelsey Keefer, PT, DPT — Kidtensive PT
Iowa
Des Moines, IA — Dr. Katherine Connor, DPT — Hatch Physical Therapy
Kansas
Wichita, KS — Dr. Brittany McGeary, PT, DPT - Grow Physical Therapy — interview link
Maryland
Bethesda, MD — Terryl Averbach Rosenberg, PT — Kid Networks Pediatric Physical Therapy
Massachusetts
Boston, MA — Dr. Karen Tanso, PT, DPT, PCS — Inchstones PT
Boston and Worcester, MA — Dr. Jenna Raheb, PT, DPT, PCS, CPST — Raheb PT
Middlesex, Essex, Worcester county, MA — Jocelyne MacDonald, PT — L.E.MacDonald Physical Therapy
North Shore, MA — Meagan O'Neill, MSPT, CIMI-2 — Ahoy Baby Physical Therapy and Wellness
Missouri
Kansas City, MO — Dr. Lauren Abelson PT, DPT, NCS — Function Forward Physical Therapy
Kansas City, MO — Dr. Katie Shipley, PT, DPT — Nurturing Touch Physical Therapy and Wellness
New Hampshire
Bedford, NH — Dr. Brenda Sacino, PT, DPT, — Playful Progress Pediatric PT & Developmental Wellness
New Jersey
Chester/Mendham, NJ — Dr. Carina Torres, PT, DPT, PCS - Little Champions Physical Therapy
Millburn, NJ — Dr. Sarah Riale PT, DPT, BSPTS — Kinetic Studio PT
Northern, NJ/Hudson, Bergen, and Passaic Counties — Dr. Vaishali Parmar, PT, DPT, MBA — Mobile PhysioCare
South Jersey/Cherry Hill, NJ — Dr. Nikki Galluzzo PT,DPT — Little Feats Physical Therapy
New York
Buffalo, NY — Dr. Alyssa Whitfield PT, DPT — Move to Learn PT
Carmel, NY — Dr. Yelena Bregman, PT, DPT — Inspiration Physical Therapy PLLC
Long Island, NY — Dr. Roulla Savva, PT, DPT — Tracking Miles Physical Therapy
Suffolk County, Long Island, NY — Dr. Taylor Jensen, PT, DPT — email via Taylor.jensen25@gmail.com
Syracuse, NY — Dr. Brittany Schuler PT, DPT, CBIS, NCS — email via Minimilestonesppt@gmail.com
North Carolina
Charlotte, NC — Dr. Kelsey Miles, PT, DPT, C/NDT — Move Pediatric PT
Ohio
Columbus, OH — Dr Amy Newkold, PT, DPT — Baby Moves Physical Therapy
Oklahoma
Stillwater, OK — Dr. Kayte Lynch, PT, DPT — Fit To Be Kids Pediatric Physical Therapy (email)
Pennsylvania
Montgomery County, PA — Dr. Anna Bolshin, PT, DPT - Loving Touch Physical Therapy — interview link
Philadelphia Main Line, PA — Dr. Lisa Schwarcz, PT, DPT, PCS, RYT — Homebody Therapy and Wellness
South Carolina
Charleston, SC — Dr. Savannah Wise, PT, DPT — Wise Little Movers Physical Therapy
Mount Pleasant, SC — Dr. Erika Espana, PT, DPT & Team — Mastering Milestones
Tennessee
Kingsport, Johnson City, TN — Dr. Whitney Castle, PT, DPT, DMI certified — Royal Pediatric PT & Wellness
Nashville, TN — Dr. Kristen DeMura, PT, DPT — Pediatric Physical Therapy of Nashville
Texas
Austin, TX — Dr. Kristi Hammerle, PT, DPT, CBS — Year One Wellness
Austin, TX — Dr. Jennifer Gaewsky, PT, DPT — Physical Therapy For Infants
Austin, TX / Bastrup, TX — Dr. Samantha Eaton PT, DPT — Hatched Physical Therapy
Austin, TX — Dr. Katie Kennedy PT, DPT, PCS, NTMTC, CEIM — Strive Pediatrics
Austin, TX — Dr. Carolyn Zuiker, PT, DPT — Boost Babies
Dallas, TX — Dr. Amie Dougherty PT, DPT, DMI certified — Milestones At Play Physical Therapy & Wellness
Dallas-Fort Worth & Denton County, TX — Dr. Jena Schultz, PT, DPT, PCS — Driving Development
Dallas-Fort Worth, TX — Kristen McConnell, MSPT — PhysiTots Pediatric Physical Therapy
Houston, TX — Physio Baby Team — Physio Baby Therapy and Wellness
Houston, TX — Dr. Caitlin Keller, PT, DPT, — Unconstipated Kids — interview link
New Braunfels, TX — Carissa Tracy, MPT — PEARL Pediatric Therapy, PLLC
North Texas (Argyle, Denton, Justin) — Dr. Alexandria Gentry — Jumping Jacks Physical Therapy
Virginia
Alexandria, VA — Dr. Allison Kops PT, DPT — The Baby PT
Northern, VA — Dr. Hannah Williams PT, DPT — Little Steps Pediatric PT
Richmond, VA — Dr. Emily Rosenberger, PT, DPT, ITPT — Expanding Reach Physical Therapy
Washington, DC
Bethesda, MD — Terryl Averbach Rosenberg, PT — Kid Networks Pediatric Physical Therapy
*if there is not an in home pediatric PT in your area, see this post for my recommended clinic based therapists (some may do in home therapy as well!).
Virtual Consult Specialties
Scoliosis or Movement — Dr. Sarah Riale PT, DPT, BSPTS — Kinetic Studio PT
International
Tokyo, Japan — Nydes Ishiwatari, Physiotherapist / Physical Therapist
Search for a Specialist
TMR Trained Physical Therapists via Branchly
Pediatric Pelvic Floor: Unconstipated Kids
DMI Trained Physical Therapists