Questions regarding using Hanger Helmet...

[Guest guest]

Hi, I'm in California. My son is 6.5 months and he just had his helmet

on last Friday.

It seems that a lot of people recommend STARband from Orthomerica in

my area. However, we had to go with Hanger as the Orthotist the doctor

referred within our insurance group works with Hanger and their scan

software is not compatible with that in Orthomerica so he can not

order starband for us.

After reading the comments here and conducting some online research,

I'm a little bit worried.

Our orthotist is friendly, but he told me that he foresees no need to

make any significant adjustment to the helmet during the whole

treatment, but that the key to ensure effectiveness is to Keep wearing

the helmet in the correct way 23 hours a day. I read a parent say " It

all depends on your orthotist and his or her experience with banding

babies. " Does this mean that our orthotist isn't good as he obviously

doesn't plan to do anything unless there's scratch or irritations on

the baby's head due to wearing the helmet.

Here's my question:

What is the key factor that will affect the effectiveness of the

helmet treatment? Is it the technology the firm uses to cast/scan to

capture the head data accurately or the construction of the helmet

itself or the experience of the orthotist? What kind of adjustment

usually a good orthotist will need to do during the treatment?

How likely the chances are that the hemlet is constructed in the wrong

way at the beginning due to the wrong data or technology so that no

matter how hard we try later, no desired results will be achieved?

I know I have a lot of questions on this, but please share your

experience or comments on any question that you think can help... I'm

willing to switch my insurance in order to get my son the effective

treatment. Thanks for your help!!

Good luck to all...

[Guest guest]

HI! I am also in CA and we also used Hanger. I am a bit surprised that they said no adjustments would be needed. We went in every 2 weeks and almost every time they shaved a bit off of the inside foam - wherever there was wear. Hangers are considered "active" bands, meaning they have holding points and they actively direct the growth of the skull. Versus a "passive" band which does not need adjustment and rounding is achieved by the band providing a round shape for the skull to grow in to.

I wonder how much education on banding this ortho has - do you know?

If a poor scan in 1st taken then yes, a poor band will be made. And no good growth will come from a poor band. How is the band fitting now? I know for us it took a few trips to the ortho to get a right fit. Is it excessivley loose? Are there any holding points or does it shift all over?

Jen and Luli - 24 months

Left tort - Right Plagio - Hanger Band Grad - CA

http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/j/jens5th/

Questions regarding using Hanger Helmet...

Hi, I'm in California. My son is 6.5 months and he just had his helmet

on last Friday.

It seems that a lot of people recommend STARband from Orthomerica in

my area. However, we had to go with Hanger as the Orthotist the doctor

referred within our insurance group works with Hanger and their scan

software is not compatible with that in Orthomerica so he can not

order starband for us.

After reading the comments here and conducting some online research,

I'm a little bit worried.

Our orthotist is friendly, but he told me that he foresees no need to

make any significant adjustment to the helmet during the whole

treatment, but that the key to ensure effectiveness is to Keep wearing

the helmet in the correct way 23 hours a day. I read a parent say "It

all depends on your orthotist and his or her experience with banding

babies." Does this mean that our orthotist isn't good as he obviously

doesn't plan to do anything unless there's scratch or irritations on

the baby's head due to wearing the helmet.

Here's my question:

What is the key factor that will affect the effectiveness of the

helmet treatment? Is it the technology the firm uses to cast/scan to

capture the head data accurately or the construction of the helmet

itself or the experience of the orthotist? What kind of adjustment

usually a good orthotist will need to do during the treatment?

How likely the chances are that the hemlet is constructed in the wrong

way at the beginning due to the wrong data or technology so that no

matter how hard we try later, no desired results will be achieved?

I know I have a lot of questions on this, but please share your

experience or comments on any question that you think can help... I'm

willing to switch my insurance in order to get my son the effective

treatment. Thanks for your help!!

Good luck to all...

More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail!

[Guest guest]

In my opinion, which is just one mothers view, I would not go to this ortho or get this band. No adjustments ever, how crazy does that sound. How many bands has this ortho done. Get the numbers. I would also contact other suppliers in your area to find out how typically often they do adjustments. At Cranial Tech my son went every week for adjustments because he was only 4 months when we began. He gradually moved to every 10 days or so after the first few weeks. I have never heard of not doing corrections. Other parents have had this kind of band and wasted time. They wound up in other bands. I would not get this band. I personally feel that you will regret it. Go with your head and heart and switch to someone reputatble, with experience and get references from others they have treated to learn of their successes. Good luck.JenandLuli@...

wrote: HI! I am also in CA and we also used Hanger. I am a bit surprised that they said no adjustments would be needed. We went in every 2 weeks and almost every time they shaved a bit off of the inside foam - wherever there was wear. Hangers are considered "active" bands, meaning they have holding points and they actively direct the growth of the skull. Versus a "passive" band which does not need adjustment and rounding is achieved by the band providing a round shape for the skull to grow in to. I wonder how much education on banding this ortho has

- do you know? If a poor scan in 1st taken then yes, a poor band will be made. And no good growth will come from a poor band. How is the band fitting now? I know for us it took a few trips to the ortho to get a right fit. Is it excessivley loose? Are there any holding points or does it shift all over? Jen and Luli - 24 monthsLeft tort - Right Plagio - Hanger Band Grad - CAhttp://www.babiesonline.com/babies/j/jens5th/ Questions regarding using Hanger Helmet... Hi, I'm in California. My son is 6.5 months and he just had his helmeton last Friday. It seems that a lot of people

recommend STARband from Orthomerica inmy area. However, we had to go with Hanger as the Orthotist the doctorreferred within our insurance group works with Hanger and their scansoftware is not compatible with that in Orthomerica so he can notorder starband for us.After reading the comments here and conducting some online research,I'm a little bit worried. Our orthotist is friendly, but he told me that he foresees no need tomake any significant adjustment to the helmet during the wholetreatment, but that the key to ensure effectiveness is to Keep wearingthe helmet in the correct way 23 hours a day. I read a parent say "Itall depends on your orthotist and his or her experience with bandingbabies." Does this mean that our orthotist isn't good as he obviouslydoesn't plan to do anything unless there's scratch or irritations onthe baby's head due to wearing the helmet.Here's my question: What is the

key factor that will affect the effectiveness of thehelmet treatment? Is it the technology the firm uses to cast/scan tocapture the head data accurately or the construction of the helmetitself or the experience of the orthotist? What kind of adjustmentusually a good orthotist will need to do during the treatment? How likely the chances are that the hemlet is constructed in the wrongway at the beginning due to the wrong data or technology so that nomatter how hard we try later, no desired results will be achieved?I know I have a lot of questions on this, but please share yourexperience or comments on any question that you think can help... I'mwilling to switch my insurance in order to get my son the effectivetreatment. Thanks for your help!!Good luck to all... More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail!

Never miss a thing. Make your homepage.

[Guest guest]

Thank you for sharing the opinion. Could you let me know more about

the corrections needs to be done during the process? I don't even know

how to ask the question specifically...

Thanks!

> HI! I am also in CA and we also used Hanger. I am a bit

surprised that they said no adjustments would be needed. We went in

every 2 weeks and almost every time they shaved a bit off of the

inside foam - wherever there was wear. Hangers are considered " active "

bands, meaning they have holding points and they actively direct the

growth of the skull. Versus a " passive " band which does not need

adjustment and rounding is achieved by the band providing a round

shape for the skull to grow in to.

> I wonder how much education on banding this ortho has - do you know?

> If a poor scan in 1st taken then yes, a poor band will be made. And

no good growth will come from a poor band. How is the band fitting

now? I know for us it took a few trips to the ortho to get a right

fit. Is it excessivley loose? Are there any holding points or does it

shift all over?

>

> Jen and Luli - 24 months

> Left tort - Right Plagio - Hanger Band Grad - CA

> http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/j/jens5th/

>

>

> Questions regarding using Hanger Helmet...

>

> Hi, I'm in California. My son is 6.5 months and he just

had his helmet

> on last Friday.

>

> It seems that a lot of people recommend STARband from Orthomerica in

> my area. However, we had to go with Hanger as the Orthotist the doctor

> referred within our insurance group works with Hanger and their scan

> software is not compatible with that in Orthomerica so he can not

> order starband for us.

>

> After reading the comments here and conducting some online research,

> I'm a little bit worried.

>

> Our orthotist is friendly, but he told me that he foresees no need to

> make any significant adjustment to the helmet during the whole

> treatment, but that the key to ensure effectiveness is to Keep wearing

> the helmet in the correct way 23 hours a day. I read a parent say " It

> all depends on your orthotist and his or her experience with banding

> babies. " Does this mean that our orthotist isn't good as he obviously

> doesn't plan to do anything unless there's scratch or irritations on

> the baby's head due to wearing the helmet.

>

> Here's my question:

>

> What is the key factor that will affect the effectiveness of the

> helmet treatment? Is it the technology the firm uses to cast/scan to

> capture the head data accurately or the construction of the helmet

> itself or the experience of the orthotist? What kind of adjustment

> usually a good orthotist will need to do during the treatment?

>

> How likely the chances are that the hemlet is constructed in the wrong

> way at the beginning due to the wrong data or technology so that no

> matter how hard we try later, no desired results will be achieved?

>

> I know I have a lot of questions on this, but please share your

> experience or comments on any question that you think can help... I'm

> willing to switch my insurance in order to get my son the effective

> treatment. Thanks for your help!!

>

> Good luck to all...

>

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail!

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Never miss a thing. Make your homepage.

>

[Guest guest]

Hanger bands are usually adjusted every 2-3 weeks, but removing some

of the foam inside to make room for growth. if the ortho isn't doing

this I would call Hanger corporate (gary hicks I think) and see what

is going on. It is supposed to be an active band.

-christine

sydney 2 yrs starband grad

> > HI! I am also in CA and we also used Hanger. I am a bit

> surprised that they said no adjustments would be needed. We went in

> every 2 weeks and almost every time they shaved a bit off of the

> inside foam - wherever there was wear. Hangers are considered " active "

> bands, meaning they have holding points and they actively direct the

> growth of the skull. Versus a " passive " band which does not need

> adjustment and rounding is achieved by the band providing a round

> shape for the skull to grow in to.

> > I wonder how much education on banding this ortho has - do you know?

> > If a poor scan in 1st taken then yes, a poor band will be made. And

> no good growth will come from a poor band. How is the band fitting

> now? I know for us it took a few trips to the ortho to get a right

> fit. Is it excessivley loose? Are there any holding points or does it

> shift all over?

> >

> > Jen and Luli - 24 months

> > Left tort - Right Plagio - Hanger Band Grad - CA

> > http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/j/jens5th/

> >

> >

> > Questions regarding using Hanger Helmet...

> >

> > Hi, I'm in California. My son is 6.5 months and he just

> had his helmet

> > on last Friday.

> >

> > It seems that a lot of people recommend STARband from Orthomerica in

> > my area. However, we had to go with Hanger as the Orthotist the doctor

> > referred within our insurance group works with Hanger and their scan

> > software is not compatible with that in Orthomerica so he can not

> > order starband for us.

> >

> > After reading the comments here and conducting some online research,

> > I'm a little bit worried.

> >

> > Our orthotist is friendly, but he told me that he foresees no need to

> > make any significant adjustment to the helmet during the whole

> > treatment, but that the key to ensure effectiveness is to Keep wearing

> > the helmet in the correct way 23 hours a day. I read a parent say " It

> > all depends on your orthotist and his or her experience with banding

> > babies. " Does this mean that our orthotist isn't good as he obviously

> > doesn't plan to do anything unless there's scratch or irritations on

> > the baby's head due to wearing the helmet.

> >

> > Here's my question:

> >

> > What is the key factor that will affect the effectiveness of the

> > helmet treatment? Is it the technology the firm uses to cast/scan to

> > capture the head data accurately or the construction of the helmet

> > itself or the experience of the orthotist? What kind of adjustment

> > usually a good orthotist will need to do during the treatment?

> >

> > How likely the chances are that the hemlet is constructed in the wrong

> > way at the beginning due to the wrong data or technology so that no

> > matter how hard we try later, no desired results will be achieved?

> >

> > I know I have a lot of questions on this, but please share your

> > experience or comments on any question that you think can help... I'm

> > willing to switch my insurance in order to get my son the effective

> > treatment. Thanks for your help!!

> >

> > Good luck to all...

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ---------------------------------

> > More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail!

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ---------------------------------

> > Never miss a thing. Make your homepage.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi. I'm no expert on this, but I don't think you need to worry about the adjustment comment. According to your email he said no "significant" adjustment. If the helmet fits correctly at the beginning, then it should need only minor adjustments as your baby's head grows - shaving a bit here and there off the foam where the baby is getting red marks and such. This is the only type of adjustment we have had after 2 months in a Hanger helmet. We have already gotten significant correction and are very pleased with the results and with our orthotist. She has been banding for 7 years and is exceptionally competent. She told us that in 7 years, she has only had a handful of helmets that were so ill-fitting that they had to be scrapped and replaced and that this has happened even less since they switched from casting to scanning for the initial measurements and molding. I hope that makes you feel a little more at ease. Perhaps other parents in your area can speak to their experiences with your specific orthotist. Krista

Never miss a thing. Make your homepage.

[Guest guest]

I am not sure who you would contact for Hanger bands. Hicks is a contact for Orthomerica(STAR bands)

Angie

Questions regarding using Hanger Helmet...> > > > Hi, I'm in California. My son is 6.5 months and he just> had his helmet> > on last Friday. > > > > It seems that a lot of people recommend STARband from Orthomerica in> > my area. However, we had to go with Hanger as the Orthotist the doctor> > referred within our insurance group works with Hanger and their scan> > software is not compatible with that in Orthomerica so he can not> > order starband for us.> > > > After reading the comments here and conducting some online research,> > I'm a little bit worried. > > > > Our orthotist is friendly, but he told me that he foresees no need to> > make any significant adjustment to the helmet during the whole> > treatment, but that the key to ensure effectiveness is to Keep wearing> > the helmet in the correct way 23 hours a day. I read a parent say "It> > all depends on your orthotist and his or her experience with banding> > babies." Does this mean that our orthotist isn't good as he obviously> > doesn't plan to do anything unless there's scratch or irritations on> > the baby's head due to wearing the helmet.> > > > Here's my question: > > > > What is the key factor that will affect the effectiveness of the> > helmet treatment? Is it the technology the firm uses to cast/scan to> > capture the head data accurately or the construction of the helmet> > itself or the experience of the orthotist? What kind of adjustment> > usually a good orthotist will need to do during the treatment? > > > > How likely the chances are that the hemlet is constructed in the wrong> > way at the beginning due to the wrong data or technology so that no> > matter how hard we try later, no desired results will be achieved?> > > > I know I have a lot of questions on this, but please share your> > experience or comments on any question that you think can help... I'm> > willing to switch my insurance in order to get my son the effective> > treatment. Thanks for your help!!> > > > Good luck to all...> > > > > > > > > > > > ---------------------------------> > More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail!> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ---------------------------------> > Never miss a thing. Make your homepage.> >>

[Guest guest]

Every two weeks or so in a DOC band the average infant goes in for a so check up and an adjustment. At this time they are measured, and the ortho takes the helmet into another room and cuts it to allow for two weeks more growth. I went every week because younger babies are really growing rapidly and they want to check that the band is not getting too tight too soon. I think that if you are paying 3000 dollars for a helmet it is nice to be able to get checked every week or two weeks dependant on your childs age. If you are never checked in two months what service are you really receiving for your money. I felt that I could call Cranial at any time with questions and always got an answer that day. The office was always packed with mothers and children happy with the service and orthotists. I hope this helps you. Tammymantsingw <mantsingw@...> wrote: Thank you for sharing the opinion. Could you let me know more aboutthe corrections needs to be done during the process? I don't even knowhow to ask the question specifically... :(Thanks!> HI! I am also in CA and we also used Hanger. I am a bitsurprised that they said no adjustments would be needed. We went inevery 2 weeks and almost every time they shaved a bit off of theinside foam - wherever there was wear. Hangers are considered

"active"bands, meaning they have holding points and they actively direct thegrowth of the skull. Versus a "passive" band which does not needadjustment and rounding is achieved by the band providing a roundshape for the skull to grow in to. > I wonder how much education on banding this ortho has - do you know? > If a poor scan in 1st taken then yes, a poor band will be made. Andno good growth will come from a poor band. How is the band fittingnow? I know for us it took a few trips to the ortho to get a rightfit. Is it excessivley loose? Are there any holding points or does itshift all over?> > Jen and Luli - 24 months> Left tort - Right Plagio - Hanger Band Grad - CA> http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/j/jens5th/> > > Questions regarding using Hanger Helmet...> > Hi, I'm in California. My son is 6.5 months and he justhad his helmet> on last Friday. > > It seems that a lot of people recommend STARband from Orthomerica in> my area. However, we had to go with Hanger as the Orthotist the doctor> referred within our insurance group works with Hanger and their scan> software is not compatible with that in Orthomerica so he can not> order starband for us.> > After reading the comments here and conducting some online research,> I'm a little bit worried. > > Our orthotist is friendly, but he told me that he foresees no need to> make any significant adjustment to the helmet during the whole> treatment, but that the key to ensure

effectiveness is to Keep wearing> the helmet in the correct way 23 hours a day. I read a parent say "It> all depends on your orthotist and his or her experience with banding> babies." Does this mean that our orthotist isn't good as he obviously> doesn't plan to do anything unless there's scratch or irritations on> the baby's head due to wearing the helmet.> > Here's my question: > > What is the key factor that will affect the effectiveness of the> helmet treatment? Is it the technology the firm uses to cast/scan to> capture the head data accurately or the construction of the helmet> itself or the experience of the orthotist? What kind of adjustment> usually a good orthotist will need to do during the treatment? > > How likely the chances are that the hemlet is constructed in the wrong> way at the beginning due to the wrong data or technology so that no>

matter how hard we try later, no desired results will be achieved?> > I know I have a lot of questions on this, but please share your> experience or comments on any question that you think can help... I'm> willing to switch my insurance in order to get my son the effective> treatment. Thanks for your help!!> > Good luck to all...> > > > > > ---------------------------------> More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail!> > > > > > > > > ---------------------------------> Never miss a thing. Make your homepage.>

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[Guest guest]

I have to clarify. You are correct, Hangers scan software is not compatible with Orthoamericas. Your orthotist CAN order a Starband if that is what you want. More than likely they would just have to do a cast. mantsingw <mantsingw@...> wrote: Hi, I'm in California. My son is 6.5 months and he just had his helmeton last Friday. It seems that a lot of people recommend STARband from Orthomerica inmy area. However, we had to go with Hanger as the Orthotist the doctorreferred within our insurance group works with Hanger and

their scansoftware is not compatible with that in Orthomerica so he can notorder starband for us.After reading the comments here and conducting some online research,I'm a little bit worried. Our orthotist is friendly, but he told me that he foresees no need tomake any significant adjustment to the helmet during the wholetreatment, but that the key to ensure effectiveness is to Keep wearingthe helmet in the correct way 23 hours a day. I read a parent say "Itall depends on your orthotist and his or her experience with bandingbabies." Does this mean that our orthotist isn't good as he obviouslydoesn't plan to do anything unless there's scratch or irritations onthe baby's head due to wearing the helmet.Here's my question: What is the key factor that will affect the effectiveness of thehelmet treatment? Is it the technology the firm uses to cast/scan tocapture the head data accurately or the

construction of the helmetitself or the experience of the orthotist? What kind of adjustmentusually a good orthotist will need to do during the treatment? How likely the chances are that the hemlet is constructed in the wrongway at the beginning due to the wrong data or technology so that nomatter how hard we try later, no desired results will be achieved?I know I have a lot of questions on this, but please share yourexperience or comments on any question that you think can help... I'mwilling to switch my insurance in order to get my son the effectivetreatment. Thanks for your help!!Good luck to all...

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[Guest guest]

I have to agree with some of the other responses that I would not want to go to this ortho. My children both wore passive bands and we still went in every few weeks for a check up. The passive band actually made my daughters head worse and she is now in a Docband and we go every two weeks.

I would look into this a little more. i have so many regrets that I didn't go with the Docband to start. Even though we chose to not band my son with a second band, it kills me that although his head looks good it is not perfect. I wasted much time with a bad ortho.

Good luck, Dawn

Plagiocephaly From: princessluau@...Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2008 08:51:14 -0800Subject: Re: Questions regarding using Hanger Helmet...

Every two weeks or so in a DOC band the average infant goes in for a so check up and an adjustment. At this time they are measured, and the ortho takes the helmet into another room and cuts it to allow for two weeks more growth. I went every week because younger babies are really growing rapidly and they want to check that the band is not getting too tight too soon. I think that if you are paying 3000 dollars for a helmet it is nice to be able to get checked every week or two weeks dependant on your childs age. If you are never checked in two months what service are you really receiving for your money. I felt that I could call Cranial at any time with questions and always got an answer that day. The office was always packed with mothers and children happy with the service and orthotists. I hope this helps you.

Tammymantsingw <mantsingw > wrote:

Thank you for sharing the opinion. Could you let me know more aboutthe corrections needs to be done during the process? I don't even knowhow to ask the question specifically... :(Thanks!> HI! I am also in CA and we also used Hanger. I am a bitsurprised that they said no adjustments would be needed. We went inevery 2 weeks and almost every time they shaved a bit off of theinside foam - wherever there was wear. Hangers are considered "active"bands, meaning they have holding points and they actively direct thegrowth of the skull. Versus a "passive" band which does not needadjustment and rounding is achieved by the band providing a roundshape for the skull to grow in to. > I wonder how much education on banding this ortho has - do you know? > If a poor scan in 1st taken then yes, a poor band will be made. Andno good growth will come from a poor band. How is the band fittingnow? I know for us it took a few trips to the ortho to get a rightfit. Is it excessivley loose? Are there any holding points or does itshift all over?> > Jen and Luli - 24 months> Left tort - Right Plagio - Hanger Band Grad - CA> http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/j/jens5th/> > > Questions regarding using Hanger Helmet...> > Hi, I'm in California. My son is 6.5 months and he justhad his helmet> on last Friday. > > It seems that a lot of people recommend STARband from Orthomerica in> my area. However, we had to go with Hanger as the Orthotist the doctor> referred within our insurance group works with Hanger and their scan> software is not compatible with that in Orthomerica so he can not> order starband for us.> > After reading the comments here and conducting some online research,> I'm a little bit worried. > > Our orthotist is friendly, but he told me that he foresees no need to> make any significant adjustment to the helmet during the whole> treatment, but that the key to ensure effectiveness is to Keep wearing> the helmet in the correct way 23 hours a day. I read a parent say "It> all depends on your orthotist and his or her experience with banding> babies." Does this mean that our orthotist isn't good as he obviously> doesn't plan to do anything unless there's scratch or irritations on> the baby's head due to wearing the helmet.> > Here's my question: > > What is the key factor that will affect the effectiveness of the> helmet treatment? Is it the technology the firm uses to cast/scan to> capture the head data accurately or the construction of the helmet> itself or the experience of the orthotist? What kind of adjustment> usually a good orthotist will need to do during the treatment? > > How likely the chances are that the hemlet is constructed in the wrong> way at the beginning due to the wrong data or technology so that no> matter how hard we try later, no desired results will be achieved?> > I know I have a lot of questions on this, but please share your> experience or comments on any question that you think can help... I'm> willing to switch my insurance in order to get my son the effective> treatment. Thanks for your help!!> > Good luck to all...> > > > > > ---------------------------------> More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail!> > > > > > > > > ---------------------------------> Never miss a thing. Make your homepage.>

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