Is anyone familiar with a Ballert Helmet

[Guest guest]

Ray,

Welcome to the group! I personally have not heard of the Ballert Helmet, but

I hope someone else can help you there and will post their experience. Do

you know if this is an active or passive band? Usually at an older age, an

active band is considered more useful than the passive band, because it

applies a holding area or minimal pressure to the area that is round,

allowing for growth to redirect to the flat areas. A passive band is just

that, it only allows for growth to happen, but does not direct it with

minimal pressure. Check out the database for more info on the comparison

between the DOC band and STARband. I would really check into the orthotists

experience, ask for before and after photos, reference phone numbers, how

many patients have they fitted for helmets, years of experience, etc. We

have had a few members that have had bad experiences due to a bad orthotist,

and in some cases, the helmet has made matters worse. So really check this

person's credentials and determine if you feel comfortable with what they

have to share. Remember that it is your right to find out as much as

possible about their product, if they are apprehensive to give out info on

what they are " selling " - raise those red flags!!! Good luck and please keep

us posted on your son.

' Mom

[Guest guest]

Good Morning to everyone,

I was hoping that someone may have some information that could help

me. My name is Ray Panice and my 10 Month old son has just been

diagnosed with Positional Plagiocephaly. We are going this afternoon

for our first visit to the orthontist. The visit is to determine the

next step and possibly a casting. I have not been able to find out

much about this particular type of helmet (Except for their web

site). Most of the information that I can find refer to either the

DOCBand or StarBand. I am not sure of the differences and was hoping

that someone out there may know something about the Ballert Helmet.

I am leery to have my son cast on our first visit since I am not sure

if we were referred to this clinic because of convenience or

quality. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Ray -

[Guest guest]

Hi Ray,

Welcome to the group. The key to success with any band, is an

experienced orthotist. You need to interview your orthotist. Find out

how many babies he/she has banded with success. Do they have any

before and after pictures they can show you of other babaies they've

banded. Do they have references? An inexperienced orthotist can do

more harm than good. I'm sure I've heard of the ballert helmet

mentioned on this board before. Hopefully someone that's used them

will chime in here. Once again welcome to the group!

> Good Morning to everyone,

>

> I was hoping that someone may have some information that could help

> me. My name is Ray Panice and my 10 Month old son has just

been

> diagnosed with Positional Plagiocephaly. We are going this

afternoon

> for our first visit to the orthontist. The visit is to determine

the

> next step and possibly a casting. I have not been able to find out

> much about this particular type of helmet (Except for their web

> site). Most of the information that I can find refer to either the

> DOCBand or StarBand. I am not sure of the differences and was

hoping

> that someone out there may know something about the Ballert

Helmet.

> I am leery to have my son cast on our first visit since I am not

sure

> if we were referred to this clinic because of convenience or

> quality. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

>

> Ray -

[Guest guest]

Hi Ray,

I was reading your post and was wondering if you've seen the website

for Ballert helmets. I found it at www.ballert-op.com

It looks like they have recently been approved by the FDA to

manufacture these helmet for plagiocephaly and they do like very

similar to the STARband and DOC band. I would definitely still ask

them about their success rate and some statistics regarding their use

of the helmet. My son, who is almost 13 months, was also recently

diagnosed with positional plagiocephaly and we go to a place here in

Tucson, AZ called Hanger Orthotics and they manufacture the

STARband. He was casted last week and we are waiting for the helmet

to come in in the next week or so. It is good to get something done

as soon as possible, but you can still get good results when your

child is older, as we are hoping is the case with my son . But

don't waste any time getting started with the process; it is a long

road but the end results will definitely be worth it. Please let us

know what happened when you went to the orthotist and what they said,

I am anxious to find out.

-(mother to -12 1/2 months)

> Good Morning to everyone,

>

> I was hoping that someone may have some information that could help

> me. My name is Ray Panice and my 10 Month old son has just

been

> diagnosed with Positional Plagiocephaly. We are going this

afternoon

> for our first visit to the orthontist. The visit is to determine

the

> next step and possibly a casting. I have not been able to find out

> much about this particular type of helmet (Except for their web

> site). Most of the information that I can find refer to either the

> DOCBand or StarBand. I am not sure of the differences and was

hoping

> that someone out there may know something about the Ballert

Helmet.

> I am leery to have my son cast on our first visit since I am not

sure

> if we were referred to this clinic because of convenience or

> quality. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

>

> Ray -

[Guest guest]

HI Ray & welcome to the group!

We're glad to have you with us. I've been a group member for nearly

2 yrs already, and dont' remember ever hearing the Ballert helmet

mentioned in our group. Where abouts do you live? I see

replied to you saying it's FDA approved. She gave you great

tips.....the key to having success with the helmets/bands is having

an experienced or well trained orthotist. I would suggest thoroughly

interviewing your orthotist to be - ask for before & after photos of

babies he/she has treated, ask for references. Check out

www.plagiocephaly.org/support then " questions for the Dr " ...for some

great quesitons for the orthotist.

Of course by the time you have read this, you've already had your

appt......could you please let us know how that went?

WElcome again to our group! We're glad you have found us.

Debbie Abby's mom DOCGrad

MI

>

>

>

> > Good Morning to everyone,

> >

> > I was hoping that someone may have some information that could

help

> > me. My name is Ray Panice and my 10 Month old son has just

> been

> > diagnosed with Positional Plagiocephaly. We are going this

> afternoon

> > for our first visit to the orthontist. The visit is to determine

> the

> > next step and possibly a casting. I have not been able to find

out

> > much about this particular type of helmet (Except for their web

> > site). Most of the information that I can find refer to either

the

> > DOCBand or StarBand. I am not sure of the differences and was

> hoping

> > that someone out there may know something about the Ballert

> Helmet.

> > I am leery to have my son cast on our first visit since I am not

> sure

> > if we were referred to this clinic because of convenience or

> > quality. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

> >

> > Ray -

[Guest guest]

Hello Ray...I have posted to you otherwise but wanted to formally welcome you. It makes me glad my neuro referred me for a Ballert helmet because now we both have someone who knows about this particular one. Where are you located and which clinic are you going to? We will be going to Munster for adjustments mostly and probably to the one by The University of Chicago when we go for follow-ups with Dr. Frim. Who knows...maybe we'll run into each other some day!!! Dr. Frim is a very respected neurosurgeon and he referred us to Ballert. He writes articles for their newsletter and I found their handout very informative. I hope we can talk soon about where you are located and where you will be getting adjustments. How did your appt. go?

Taryn and (being casted on 10/01/02)

Is anyone familiar with a Ballert Helmet

Good Morning to everyone,I was hoping that someone may have some information that could help me. My name is Ray Panice and my 10 Month old son has just been diagnosed with Positional Plagiocephaly. We are going this afternoon for our first visit to the orthontist. The visit is to determine the next step and possibly a casting. I have not been able to find out much about this particular type of helmet (Except for their web site). Most of the information that I can find refer to either the DOCBand or StarBand. I am not sure of the differences and was hoping that someone out there may know something about the Ballert Helmet. I am leery to have my son cast on our first visit since I am not sure if we were referred to this clinic because of convenience or quality. Any help would be greatly appreciated.Ray - For more plagio info