Re: Re: Update on plagio in 16 months old

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Thanks. Now we are thinking about switching sooner, but not

immediately. If we didn't already have a helmet at this age, we would

take the next appointment and forget messing with the insurance. Today

my husband is talking with CT about negotiating insurance and

investigating plane flights to San Diego. We can see Alyssa who I've

seen recommended in one of the older posts. She works out of San Diego

and travels to Pasadena. For flying San Diego is cheaper and more

convenient. Pasadena is closer in terms of driving. Probably my

husband will take half days off work and fly . (I'm paranoid of

flying.) We're thinking about scheduling the imaging for Oct. 12 to

give time for insurance processing and travel arrangements. Then we

will have the new band in about a month when is approaching 17

months.

We highly doubt insurance will cover the second band. We are still

hoping on the first. Since we live in Silicon Valley where the cost of

living is high and so are incomes, the relative cost of all this is

sort of affordable. It is probably more affordable than me feeling

depressed about 's head.

We do not regret starting with the Starband. We got improvement even

though is older and growing slowly. Once we discovered the

plagio, we were able start on the Starband immediately since it is

local and we didn't wait for insurance approval.

Thanks everybody,

Kathy, mom to , almost 16 months, almost 4 months in Starband

christineashok wrote:

the 12 hour drive sounds awful, but I would say switch now.

Getting 6 mo out of the band is not really the most important thing. A

new band may hold better and provide more correction now while he's

growing more - since it will be made exactly to his current head shape

(verses being made several months ago). Let us know what you decide.

-christine

sydney, 3.5 yrs, starband grad.

>

> Hi,

>

> We took for an eval at CT, a twelve hour round-trip drive!

Their

> assessment was very consistent with the Stanband scanner's

> measurements. I was surprised and a little relieved after

following so

> many posts where CT provided higher asymmetry measurements.

has

> mild plagio, and his brachy barely follows within the upper border

of

> normal. His right forehand is slightly bigger than the left. I was

> extremely disappointed that they noted some ear and eye asymmetry,

which

> I had not noticed. It is very mild, but now I know it is there.

:|(

> has never been diagnosed with torticollis, but the evaluation

> showed he still prefers turning his head right. I should probably

start

> being more aggressive about addressing 's neck.

>

> Due to his age and that his case is mild, they did not recommend

banding

> again. However, they are very willing to up until 18 months. They

said

> we may not get the results we want though and any improvement will

be

> slow. Since I'm still unhappy with 's head, we are most

definitely

> going to try another band. We are still unsure when to switch

bands.

> (The main reason to switch is CT's willingness and experience

treating

> older babies.) CT recommended switching right away if we were

going

> to. However, this may mean less overall band time. Our Starband

fixed

> the mild brachy and visually improved the back asymmetry. I'm very

> worried about the forehead and facial asymmetry though however

mild it

> is. CT said that if we rebanded now we could do two DOC bands, but

it

> would not be recommended. We're leaning toward finishing out our 6

> months in the Starband, 10 weeks left, and then switching at 18

months.

> I feel nervous about this decision, or for that matter any

alternative

> decision.

>

> I've read people have had late success in a DOC band with forehead

> asymmetry. How about with a right anterior ear and barely thinner

left

> eye? Please share both positive and negative results. Could an

> osteopath help with any of these asymmetries? We have an

appointment

> set up with one in early Nov. We also get chiro/CST treatments

from a

> wonderful chiropractor, but she has been on vacation for a couple

weeks. :|(

>

>

> Thanks,

> Kathy, mom to , almost 16 months, almost 4 months Starband

>

[Guest guest]

Kathy,

That sounds like a good plan. Let us know how things progress.

Re: Re: Update on plagio in 16 months old

Hi,Thanks. Now we are thinking about switching sooner, but not immediately. If we didn't already have a helmet at this age, we would take the next appointment and forget messing with the insurance. Today my husband is talking with CT about negotiating insurance and investigating plane flights to San Diego. We can see Alyssa who I've seen recommended in one of the older posts. She works out of San Diego and travels to Pasadena. For flying San Diego is cheaper and more convenient. Pasadena is closer in terms of driving. Probably my husband will take half days off work and fly . (I'm paranoid of flying.) We're thinking about scheduling the imaging for Oct. 12 to give time for insurance processing and travel arrangements. Then we will have the new band in about a month when is approaching 17 months.We highly doubt insurance will cover the second band. We are still hoping on the first. Since we live in Silicon Valley where the cost of living is high and so are incomes, the relative cost of all this is sort of affordable. It is probably more affordable than me feeling depressed about 's head.We do not regret starting with the Starband. We got improvement even though is older and growing slowly. Once we discovered the plagio, we were able start on the Starband immediately since it is local and we didn't wait for insurance approval. Thanks everybody,Kathy, mom to , almost 16 months, almost 4 months in Starbandchristineashok wrote:

the 12 hour drive sounds awful, but I would say switch now. Getting 6 mo out of the band is not really the most important thing. A new band may hold better and provide more correction now while he's growing more - since it will be made exactly to his current head shape (verses being made several months ago). Let us know what you decide.-christinesydney, 3.5 yrs, starband grad.>> Hi,> > We took for an eval at CT, a twelve hour round-trip drive! Their > assessment was very consistent with the Stanband scanner's > measurements. I was surprised and a little relieved after following so > many posts where CT provided higher asymmetry measurements. has > mild plagio, and his brachy barely follows within the upper border of > normal. His right forehand is slightly bigger than the left. I was > extremely disappointed that they noted some ear and eye asymmetry, which > I had not noticed. It is very mild, but now I know it is there. :|( > has never been diagnosed with torticollis, but the evaluation > showed he still prefers turning his head right. I should probably start > being more aggressive about addressing 's neck.> > Due to his age and that his case is mild, they did not recommend banding > again. However, they are very willing to up until 18 months. They said > we may not get the results we want though and any improvement will be > slow. Since I'm still unhappy with 's head, we are most definitely > going to try another band. We are still unsure when to switch bands. > (The main reason to switch is CT's willingness and experience treating > older babies.) CT recommended switching right away if we were going > to. However, this may mean less overall band time. Our Starband fixed > the mild brachy and visually improved the back asymmetry. I'm very > worried about the forehead and facial asymmetry though however mild it > is. CT said that if we rebanded now we could do two DOC bands, but it > would not be recommended. We're leaning toward finishing out our 6 > months in the Starband, 10 weeks left, and then switching at 18 months. > I feel nervous about this decision, or for that matter any alternative > decision.> > I've read people have had late success in a DOC band with forehead > asymmetry. How about with a right anterior ear and barely thinner left > eye? Please share both positive and negative results. Could an > osteopath help with any of these asymmetries? We have an appointment > set up with one in early Nov. We also get chiro/CST treatments from a > wonderful chiropractor, but she has been on vacation for a couple weeks. :|(> > > Thanks,> Kathy, mom to , almost 16 months, almost 4 months Starband>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

CT had said they would do a helmet and then they came back and said

they won't.  My husband said it was not the age, and even so much the

severity, but that his head shape was the deciding factor.  His

condition is mild and his head shape is such that they told my husband

there is a possibility that the DOC band could make 's head worse. 

They told him the helmet could slide and put pressure in the wrong

spots.  I am so devastated and have been crying since I figure we are

stuck with the mild plagio.  It seems unfair since I know helmets have

helped other babies after 16 months with similar asymmetry

measurements.  CT's advice was to continue with the Starband.  The

Starband is very slowly helping the visual appearance, but the

asymmetry in the forehead and overall measurement has not been

decreasing.  There is fairly noticeable flattening in the back right. 

My husband called our ortho and told him about the CT eval and

everything.  He said there is nothing more we can do, but wait.  Plus

he is convinced that the helmet won't do hardly any good after 18

months.  Has anyone had any improvement with plagio in a Starband after

18 months?  I have even thought of begging our ortho to make a second

helmet after our 6 months are up, but I highly doubt he will.  My

husband thinks a new Starband won't do any more good than the old one,

but then why is the Starband only supposed to last 6 months?  (BTW,

after our CT experience, I am even more impressed with our Starband

ortho.)  It seems my son's head has to grow more by age 2 and I don't

see any reason his head will fuse early.

Has anyone had any experience with an osteopath improving the head

shape in the second year?  We have an appointment in Nov with Dr.

Rosen.  I got another recommendation for an osteopath who is available

next week and she is calling us today.  's chiropractor returns

next week.

Any ideas are greatly appreciated.  I feel horrible that we started

treatment so late, but it seems most people have more success than

we're having starting at 12 months.  I'm extremely depressed.

Thanks so much,

Kathy, mom to 16 months, 4 months in Starband

wrote:

 

Kathy,

 

That sounds like a good plan. Let us know how things progress.

 

       

 

Re: Re: Update on plagio in 16 months old

 

Hi,

Thanks.  Now we are thinking about switching sooner, but not

immediately.  If we didn't already have a helmet at this age, we would

take the next appointment and forget messing with the insurance.  Today

my husband is talking with CT about negotiating insurance and

investigating plane flights to San Diego.  We can see Alyssa who I've

seen recommended in one of the older posts.  She works out of San Diego

and travels to Pasadena.  For flying San Diego is cheaper and more

convenient.  Pasadena is closer in terms of driving.  Probably my

husband will take half days off work and fly .  (I'm paranoid of

flying.)  We're thinking about scheduling the imaging for Oct. 12 to

give time for insurance processing and travel arrangements.  Then we

will have the new band in about a month when is approaching 17

months.

We highly doubt insurance will cover the second band.  We are still

hoping on the first.  Since we live in Silicon Valley where the cost of

living is high and so are incomes, the relative cost of all this is

sort of affordable.  It is probably more affordable than me feeling

depressed about 's head.

We do not regret starting with the Starband.  We got improvement even

though is older and growing slowly.  Once we discovered the

plagio, we were able start on the Starband immediately since it is

local and we didn't wait for insurance approval. 

Thanks everybody,

Kathy, mom to , almost 16 months, almost 4 months in Starband

christineashok wrote:

 

the 12 hour drive sounds awful, but I would say switch now.

Getting 6 mo out of the band is not really the most important thing. A

new band may hold better and provide more correction now while he's

growing more - since it will be made exactly to his current head shape

(verses being made several months ago). Let us know what you decide.

-christine

sydney, 3.5 yrs, starband grad.

>

> Hi,

>

> We took for an eval at CT, a twelve hour round-trip drive!

Their

> assessment was very consistent with the Stanband scanner's

> measurements. I was surprised and a little relieved after

following so

> many posts where CT provided higher asymmetry measurements.

has

> mild plagio, and his brachy barely follows within the upper border

of

> normal. His right forehand is slightly bigger than the left. I was

> extremely disappointed that they noted some ear and eye asymmetry,

which

> I had not noticed. It is very mild, but now I know it is there.

:|(

> has never been diagnosed with torticollis, but the evaluation

> showed he still prefers turning his head right. I should probably

start

> being more aggressive about addressing 's neck.

>

> Due to his age and that his case is mild, they did not recommend

banding

> again. However, they are very willing to up until 18 months. They

said

> we may not get the results we want though and any improvement will

be

> slow. Since I'm still unhappy with 's head, we are most

definitely

> going to try another band. We are still unsure when to switch

bands.

> (The main reason to switch is CT's willingness and experience

treating

> older babies.) CT recommended switching right away if we were

going

> to. However, this may mean less overall band time. Our Starband

fixed

> the mild brachy and visually improved the back asymmetry. I'm very

> worried about the forehead and facial asymmetry though however

mild it

> is. CT said that if we rebanded now we could do two DOC bands, but

it

> would not be recommended. We're leaning toward finishing out our 6

> months in the Starband, 10 weeks left, and then switching at 18

months.

> I feel nervous about this decision, or for that matter any

alternative

> decision.

>

> I've read people have had late success in a DOC band with forehead

> asymmetry. How about with a right anterior ear and barely thinner

left

> eye? Please share both positive and negative results. Could an

> osteopath help with any of these asymmetries? We have an

appointment

> set up with one in early Nov. We also get chiro/CST treatments

from a

> wonderful chiropractor, but she has been on vacation for a couple

weeks. :|(

>

>

> Thanks,

> Kathy, mom to , almost 16 months, almost 4 months Starband

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Thanks. Yes, we have pictures from CT. They went by these pictures

and measurements and top people looked at them. I don't want to post

the pictures because whenever people point out the flaws in 's

head, I get more depressed. His head is not that bad, but not normal.

I showed a friend his head about 6 weeks ago and she could definitely

see it. I was so upset, I didn't show anybody but caregivers and the

receptionists at the chiro and Starband place for a month. Then I

showed the friend again a couple weeks ago and she said it had

improved, so this was encouraging, but then the asymmetry measurement

didn't drop. The eval at CT pointed out all these asymmetries in

's head while they were going to band. Then when they couldn't

band it seems they claimed all these things are very minor. I agree

most of them are, but I wish they had never pointed them out and the

back right and side of 's head bother me a lot.

definitely won't outgrow his Starband by 6 months and this is

probably why we haven't gotten as much improvement. Our ortho is a

nice guy, but he is pessimistic by nature. My husband thinks our ortho

is going to let us keep wearing the helmet past 18 months (6 months in

the helmet), since he doesn't think it will do any harm, but he doesn't

think it will help much either. I want the best chances that a helmet

will do good.

We have an appointment with the osteopath next Tues. She has

experience treating toddlers in helmets with plagio. I'm scared to get

my hopes up especially since I don't recall seeing much for success

with osteopathy on this group. Maybe, I missed reading those emails.

Any stories are appreciated.

Thanks again,

Kathy, mom to 16 months, Starband since 12 months

christineashok wrote:

Hi Kathy,

sorry to hear this. Are there pictures of 's head to look at? I

think CT would be pretty certain before they just say "no" to banding.

I don't remember hearing much about older babies and starbands. My

daughter wore a starband but was quite young. I don't really know why

they say 6 mo. What I do know is that the foam is thicker than that

used in the docband so there is more to scrape out, and therefore it

can usually be adjusted a bit more. However CT feels their band is the

best combination of holding pressures and adjustability - that is why

they don't make the band or foam thicker. Starband seems to be less

particular about exactly how long it can be worn from what I have seen,

but most babies outgrow the band by 6 mo anyway. My daughter wore hers

for 5 mo, then there was no more foam to adjust it further.

-christine

sydney, 3.5 yrs, starband grad

> > >

> > > Hi,

> > >

> > > We took for an eval at CT, a twelve hour round-trip

drive!

> > Their

> > > assessment was very consistent with the Stanband

scanner's

> > > measurements. I was surprised and a little relieved after

> > following so

> > > many posts where CT provided higher asymmetry

measurements.

> > has

> > > mild plagio, and his brachy barely follows within the

upper

> > border of

> > > normal. His right forehand is slightly bigger than the

left. I was

> > > extremely disappointed that they noted some ear and eye

> > asymmetry, which

> > > I had not noticed. It is very mild, but now I know it is

there. :|(

> > > has never been diagnosed with torticollis, but the

evaluation

> > > showed he still prefers turning his head right. I should

> > probably start

> > > being more aggressive about addressing 's neck.

> > >

> > > Due to his age and that his case is mild, they did not

recommend

> > banding

> > > again. However, they are very willing to up until 18

months.

> > They said

> > > we may not get the results we want though and any

improvement

> > will be

> > > slow. Since I'm still unhappy with 's head, we are

most

> > definitely

> > > going to try another band. We are still unsure when to

switch

> > bands.

> > > (The main reason to switch is CT's willingness and

experience

> > treating

> > > older babies.) CT recommended switching right away if we

were going

> > > to. However, this may mean less overall band time. Our

Starband

> > fixed

> > > the mild brachy and visually improved the back

asymmetry. I'm very

> > > worried about the forehead and facial asymmetry though

however

> > mild it

> > > is. CT said that if we rebanded now we could do two DOC

bands,

> > but it

> > > would not be recommended. We're leaning toward finishing

out our 6

> > > months in the Starband, 10 weeks left, and then

switching at 18

> > months.

> > > I feel nervous about this decision, or for that matter

any

> > alternative

> > > decision.

> > >

> > > I've read people have had late success in a DOC band

with forehead

> > > asymmetry. How about with a right anterior ear and barely

> > thinner left

> > > eye? Please share both positive and negative results.

Could an

> > > osteopath help with any of these asymmetries? We have an

> > appointment

> > > set up with one in early Nov. We also get chiro/CST

treatments

> > from a

> > > wonderful chiropractor, but she has been on vacation for

a

> > couple weeks. :|(

> > >

> > >

> > > Thanks,

> > > Kathy, mom to , almost 16 months, almost 4 months

Starband

> > >

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Kathy,

I'm so sorry to hear about this. was a little older when I took her to CT, but I was also a little disappointed also. Even though I understood their reasoning and could see that her head wasn't THAT bad, I wanted her head to get more improvement.

I kept in her STARband at night for about 5 weeks after the 6 month period. I do believe that we may have gotten some minor improvement, although I don't have the scans to prove it. I would have kept her in full time, but the people around me that I was over reacting to her current head shape and I just wasn't prepared to deal with that.

Because we were keeping her in the band outside of the orthos knowledge or approval, I had a lot of people saying this might be dangerous. But, the band still fit her and I could feel some springiness in the foam still. So, I think that it couldn't hurt and might even help to keep him in.

Even now, her CST therapist says that looks good. The chiro sees the flatness, but isn't really that worried because she doesn't see facial assymetry. But, both of them understand my desire for improvement and respect it. Like you, I'm not totally satisfied with mild flatness. I want to do everything that I can while I still can.

I guess I would advise you to keep him in the STARband as long as possible. If the ortho lets you go past 6 months, then I would do it. As I have stated previously, I firmly believe that if I had kept in her STARband for a few more months, we would have gotten more improvement.

Also, I would definately keep pursuing the alternative treatments that you are already doing. As a side note, has always resisted our home CST exercises. The PT said that this is probably because she really needs them and so they aren't really comfortable for her. Well, after a month of chiro, she has stopped resisting. Today, she asked me to "do my ears and my head." And, she is now getting up on the table herself for her adjustments. As a side benefit, she is sleeping better (going down at 9:00 rather than 11:00 and napping for 2.5 hours rather than 1 hour). She also just seems extremely happy lately. Even daycare has noticed. She's still not holding between appointments, but I've been told that she's easier to adjust. While all of this may have nothing to do with head shape, it does make me believe that our alignment influences a lot more than back pain. We're following through with the full three months of her scheduled treatments (3 times a week).

Her head - well I can't say that I've noticed a difference yet, but I'm hoping that I will once she starts holding - which I'm hoping will start happening soon. Our chiro wants me to talk to 's doctor about starting a tapering schedule for her reflux meds as soon as her scan shows that the nerves to her digestive system aren't so pinched. She'll get scanned again at the end of this month. Hopefully, we'll also see that the top of her spine (for her head) is better.

As you know, there are parents on the older plagio group that swear by some of these alternative methods, but they don't often have any kind of measurements to back them up. They just report seeing visual improvements in the head. 's next CST appointment is on the 12th. I'm hoping that maybe she'll take hand measurements. I'd like to see if we've had any improvement in the last two months. Yes, I know that they're just hand measurements, but I think they do provide some indication of improvement when they're completed by the same person.

Most of all - don't give up on getting improvement from the helmet yet. had good improvement between 15 and 17.5 months. She did slow down for a while after that, but I think she had another growth spurt around 23 months. So, he may still get a growth spurt. I know that this can't really be predicted, but it would be great if he was in the helmet or at least getting some treatment while it occurred. I think I started the CST and Chiro after 's recent growth spurt. I had been thinking that her growth had already slowed down and so a few weeks wouldn't make a difference, but I may have been wrong. I guess what I'm saying is that the growth spurt may still occur in the next couple of months. Try and stay hopeful.

, mom to , 25 months

STARband grad May 2009

CST and Chiro

land

Re: Re: Update on plagio in 16 months old

Hi,Thanks. Yes, we have pictures from CT. They went by these pictures and measurements and top people looked at them. I don't want to post the pictures because whenever people point out the flaws in 's head, I get more depressed. His head is not that bad, but not normal. I showed a friend his head about 6 weeks ago and she could definitely see it. I was so upset, I didn't show anybody but caregivers and the receptionists at the chiro and Starband place for a month. Then I showed the friend again a couple weeks ago and she said it had improved, so this was encouraging, but then the asymmetry measurement didn't drop. The eval at CT pointed out all these asymmetries in 's head while they were going to band. Then when they couldn't band it seems they claimed all these things are very minor. I agree most of them are, but I wish they had never pointed them out and the back right and side of 's head bother me a lot. definitely won't outgrow his Starband by 6 months and this is probably why we haven't gotten as much improvement. Our ortho is a nice guy, but he is pessimistic by nature. My husband thinks our ortho is going to let us keep wearing the helmet past 18 months (6 months in the helmet), since he doesn't think it will do any harm, but he doesn't think it will help much either. I want the best chances that a helmet will do good.We have an appointment with the osteopath next Tues. She has experience treating toddlers in helmets with plagio. I'm scared to get my hopes up especially since I don't recall seeing much for success with osteopathy on this group. Maybe, I missed reading those emails. Any stories are appreciated.Thanks again,Kathy, mom to 16 months, Starband since 12 monthschristineashok wrote:

Hi Kathy,sorry to hear this. Are there pictures of 's head to look at? I think CT would be pretty certain before they just say "no" to banding. I don't remember hearing much about older babies and starbands. My daughter wore a starband but was quite young. I don't really know why they say 6 mo. What I do know is that the foam is thicker than that used in the docband so there is more to scrape out, and therefore it can usually be adjusted a bit more. However CT feels their band is the best combination of holding pressures and adjustability - that is why they don't make the band or foam thicker. Starband seems to be less particular about exactly how long it can be worn from what I have seen, but most babies outgrow the band by 6 mo anyway. My daughter wore hers for 5 mo, then there was no more foam to adjust it further. -christinesydney, 3.5 yrs, starband grad> > >> > > Hi,> > >> > > We took for an eval at CT, a twelve hour round-trip drive!> > Their> > > assessment was very consistent with the Stanband scanner's> > > measurements. I was surprised and a little relieved after> > following so> > > many posts where CT provided higher asymmetry measurements. > > has> > > mild plagio, and his brachy barely follows within the upper> > border of> > > normal. His right forehand is slightly bigger than the left. I was> > > extremely disappointed that they noted some ear and eye> > asymmetry, which> > > I had not noticed. It is very mild, but now I know it is there. :|(> > > has never been diagnosed with torticollis, but the evaluation> > > showed he still prefers turning his head right. I should> > probably start> > > being more aggressive about addressing 's neck.> > >> > > Due to his age and that his case is mild, they did not recommend> > banding> > > again. However, they are very willing to up until 18 months.> > They said> > > we may not get the results we want though and any improvement> > will be> > > slow. Since I'm still unhappy with 's head, we are most> > definitely> > > going to try another band. We are still unsure when to switch> > bands.> > > (The main reason to switch is CT's willingness and experience> > treating> > > older babies.) CT recommended switching right away if we were going> > > to. However, this may mean less overall band time. Our Starband> > fixed> > > the mild brachy and visually improved the back asymmetry. I'm very> > > worried about the forehead and facial asymmetry though however> > mild it> > > is. CT said that if we rebanded now we could do two DOC bands,> > but it> > > would not be recommended. We're leaning toward finishing out our 6> > > months in the Starband, 10 weeks left, and then switching at 18> > months.> > > I feel nervous about this decision, or for that matter any> > alternative> > > decision.> > >> > > I've read people have had late success in a DOC band with forehead> > > asymmetry. How about with a right anterior ear and barely> > thinner left> > > eye? Please share both positive and negative results. Could an> > > osteopath help with any of these asymmetries? We have an> > appointment> > > set up with one in early Nov. We also get chiro/CST treatments> > from a> > > wonderful chiropractor, but she has been on vacation for a> > couple weeks. :|(> > >> > >> > > Thanks,> > > Kathy, mom to , almost 16 months, almost 4 months Starband> > >> >> >> >>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I called Orthomerica.  They said you can start a Starband up to 18

months, but you won't see as much improvement then.  They said a band

can be worn until it is outgrown and that a new helmet is no more

effective than an old one if it fits.  (I am still a little skeptical,

since I don't understand why such a contrast with the DOC band.)  They

said switching helmets would be like switching hats.   They also said

there are cases where all of a sudden a baby has a growth spurt. 

Hence, we plan to ask our ortho to keep supporting in the helmet

until he outgrows it.  At the rate is growing it will be a very

long time.  My husband may offer to pay the ortho for the extra

treatments.  I really hope that our luck changes and the asymmetry

improves.  We don't even need that much improvement for to look

good.  I am still extremely depressed by all of this.

-Kathy, mom to 16 months, 4 months in Starband

wrote:

 

Kathy,

 

I'm so sorry to hear about this. was a little older when I

took her to CT, but I was also a little disappointed also. Even though

I understood their reasoning and could see that her head wasn't THAT

bad, I wanted her head to get more improvement.

 

I kept in her STARband at night for about 5 weeks after

the 6 month period. I do believe that we may have gotten some minor

improvement, although I don't have the scans to prove it. I would have

kept her in full time, but the people around me that I was over

reacting to her current head shape and I just wasn't prepared to deal

with that.

 

Because we were keeping her in the band outside of the orthos

knowledge or approval, I had a lot of people saying this might be

dangerous. But, the band still fit her and I could feel some

springiness in the foam still. So, I think that it couldn't hurt and

might even help to keep him in.

 

Even now, her CST therapist says that looks good. The

chiro sees the flatness, but isn't really that worried because she

doesn't see facial assymetry. But, both of them understand my desire

for improvement and respect it. Like you, I'm not totally satisfied

with mild flatness. I want to do everything that I can while I still

can.

 

I guess I would advise you to keep him in the STARband as long as

possible. If the ortho lets you go past 6 months, then I would do it.

As I have stated previously, I firmly believe that if I had kept

in her STARband for a few more months, we would have gotten

more improvement.

Also, I would definately keep pursuing the alternative treatments

that you are already doing. As a side note, has always resisted

our home CST exercises. The PT said that this is probably because she

really needs them and so they aren't really comfortable for her. Well,

after a month of chiro, she has stopped resisting. Today, she asked me

to "do my ears and my head." And, she is now getting up on the table

herself for her adjustments. As a side benefit, she is sleeping better

(going down at 9:00 rather than 11:00 and napping for 2.5 hours rather

than 1 hour). She also just seems extremely happy lately. Even daycare

has noticed. She's still not holding between appointments, but I've

been told that she's easier to adjust. While all of this may have

nothing to do with head shape, it does make me believe that our

alignment influences a lot more than back pain. We're following through

with the full three months of her scheduled treatments (3 times a

week). 

 

Her head - well I can't say that I've noticed a difference yet,

but I'm hoping that I will once she starts holding - which I'm hoping

will start happening soon. Our chiro wants me to talk to 's

doctor about starting a tapering schedule for her reflux meds as soon

as her scan shows that the nerves to her digestive system aren't so

pinched.  She'll get scanned again at the end of this month. Hopefully,

we'll also see that the top of her spine (for her head) is better.

 

As you know, there are parents on the older plagio group that

swear by some of these alternative methods, but they don't often have

any kind of measurements to back them up. They just report seeing

visual improvements in the head. 's next CST appointment is on

the 12th. I'm hoping that maybe she'll take hand measurements. I'd like

to see if we've had any improvement in the last two months. Yes, I know

that they're just hand measurements, but I think they do provide some

indication of improvement when they're completed by the same person.

 

Most of all - don't give up on getting improvement from the helmet

yet. had good improvement between 15 and 17.5 months. She did

slow down for a while after that, but I think she had another growth

spurt around 23 months. So, he may still get a growth spurt. I know

that this can't really be predicted, but it would be great if he was in

the helmet or at least getting some treatment while it occurred. I

think I started the CST and Chiro after 's recent growth spurt.

I had been thinking that her growth had already slowed down and so a

few weeks wouldn't make a difference, but I may have been wrong. I

guess what I'm saying is that the growth spurt may still occur in the

next couple of months. Try and stay hopeful.

 

, mom to , 25 months

STARband grad May 2009

CST and Chiro

land

       

 

Re: Re: Update on plagio in 16 months old

 

Hi,

Thanks.  Yes, we have pictures from CT.  They went by these pictures

and measurements and top people looked at them.  I don't want to post

the pictures because whenever people point out the flaws in 's

head, I get more depressed.  His head is not that bad, but not normal. 

I showed a friend his head about 6 weeks ago and she could definitely

see it.  I was so upset, I didn't show anybody but caregivers and the

receptionists at the chiro and Starband place for a month.  Then I

showed the friend again a couple weeks ago and she said it had

improved, so this was encouraging, but then the asymmetry measurement

didn't drop.  The eval at CT pointed out all these asymmetries in

's head while they were going to band.  Then when they couldn't

band it seems they claimed all these things are very minor.  I agree

most of them are, but I wish they had never pointed them out and the

back right and side of 's head bother me a lot.

definitely won't outgrow his Starband by 6 months and this is

probably why we haven't gotten as much improvement.  Our ortho is a

nice guy, but he is pessimistic by nature.  My husband thinks our ortho

is going to let us keep wearing the helmet past 18 months (6 months in

the helmet), since he doesn't think it will do any harm, but he doesn't

think it will help much either.  I want the best chances that a helmet

will do good.

We have an appointment with the osteopath next Tues.  She has

experience treating toddlers in helmets with plagio.  I'm scared to get

my hopes up especially since I don't recall seeing much for success

with osteopathy on this group.  Maybe, I missed reading those emails. 

Any stories are appreciated.

Thanks again,

Kathy, mom to 16 months, Starband since 12 months

christineashok wrote:

 

Hi Kathy,

sorry to hear this. Are there pictures of 's head to look at? I

think CT would be pretty certain before they just say "no" to banding.

I don't remember hearing much about older babies and starbands. My

daughter wore a starband but was quite young. I don't really know why

they say 6 mo. What I do know is that the foam is thicker than that

used in the docband so there is more to scrape out, and therefore it

can usually be adjusted a bit more. However CT feels their band is the

best combination of holding pressures and adjustability - that is why

they don't make the band or foam thicker. Starband seems to be less

particular about exactly how long it can be worn from what I have seen,

but most babies outgrow the band by 6 mo anyway. My daughter wore hers

for 5 mo, then there was no more foam to adjust it further.

-christine

sydney, 3.5 yrs, starband grad

> > >

> > > Hi,

> > >

> > > We took for an eval at CT, a twelve hour round-trip

drive!

> > Their

> > > assessment was very consistent with the Stanband

scanner's

> > > measurements. I was surprised and a little relieved after

> > following so

> > > many posts where CT provided higher asymmetry

measurements.

> > has

> > > mild plagio, and his brachy barely follows within the

upper

> > border of

> > > normal. His right forehand is slightly bigger than the

left. I was

> > > extremely disappointed that they noted some ear and eye

> > asymmetry, which

> > > I had not noticed. It is very mild, but now I know it is

there. :|(

> > > has never been diagnosed with torticollis, but the

evaluation

> > > showed he still prefers turning his head right. I should

> > probably start

> > > being more aggressive about addressing 's neck.

> > >

> > > Due to his age and that his case is mild, they did not

recommend

> > banding

> > > again. However, they are very willing to up until 18

months.

> > They said

> > > we may not get the results we want though and any

improvement

> > will be

> > > slow. Since I'm still unhappy with 's head, we are

most

> > definitely

> > > going to try another band. We are still unsure when to

switch

> > bands.

> > > (The main reason to switch is CT's willingness and

experience

> > treating

> > > older babies.) CT recommended switching right away if we

were going

> > > to. However, this may mean less overall band time. Our

Starband

> > fixed

> > > the mild brachy and visually improved the back

asymmetry. I'm very

> > > worried about the forehead and facial asymmetry though

however

> > mild it

> > > is. CT said that if we rebanded now we could do two DOC

bands,

> > but it

> > > would not be recommended. We're leaning toward finishing

out our 6

> > > months in the Starband, 10 weeks left, and then

switching at 18

> > months.

> > > I feel nervous about this decision, or for that matter

any

> > alternative

> > > decision.

> > >

> > > I've read people have had late success in a DOC band

with forehead

> > > asymmetry. How about with a right anterior ear and barely

> > thinner left

> > > eye? Please share both positive and negative results.

Could an

> > > osteopath help with any of these asymmetries? We have an

> > appointment

> > > set up with one in early Nov. We also get chiro/CST

treatments

> > from a

> > > wonderful chiropractor, but she has been on vacation for

a

> > couple weeks. :|(

> > >

> > >

> > > Thanks,

> > > Kathy, mom to , almost 16 months, almost 4 months

Starband

> > >

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

That is wonderful news. I don't understand either why it differs from the DOC band, but I can tell you that I saw springiness in the foam even after around 8 months.

I'm willing to bet that you will get some sort of growth spurt in the next few months. It may not be a huge one, but as you said, it doesn't need to be much. You may only need 5 mm to get that plagio down to normal.

Keep on plugging away at this. We'll get our kids looking good. We just have to be more patient because they are older.

Re: Re: Update on plagio in 16 months old

Hi,Thanks. Yes, we have pictures from CT. They went by these pictures and measurements and top people looked at them. I don't want to post the pictures because whenever people point out the flaws in 's head, I get more depressed. His head is not that bad, but not normal. I showed a friend his head about 6 weeks ago and she could definitely see it. I was so upset, I didn't show anybody but caregivers and the receptionists at the chiro and Starband place for a month. Then I showed the friend again a couple weeks ago and she said it had improved, so this was encouraging, but then the asymmetry measurement didn't drop. The eval at CT pointed out all these asymmetries in 's head while they were going to band. Then when they couldn't band it seems they claimed all these things are very minor. I agree most of them are, but I wish they had never pointed them out and the back right and side of 's head bother me a lot. definitely won't outgrow his Starband by 6 months and this is probably why we haven't gotten as much improvement. Our ortho is a nice guy, but he is pessimistic by nature. My husband thinks our ortho is going to let us keep wearing the helmet past 18 months (6 months in the helmet), since he doesn't think it will do any harm, but he doesn't think it will help much either. I want the best chances that a helmet will do good.We have an appointment with the osteopath next Tues. She has experience treating toddlers in helmets with plagio. I'm scared to get my hopes up especially since I don't recall seeing much for success with osteopathy on this group. Maybe, I missed reading those emails. Any stories are appreciated.Thanks again,Kathy, mom to 16 months, Starband since 12 monthschristineashok wrote:

Hi Kathy,sorry to hear this. Are there pictures of 's head to look at? I think CT would be pretty certain before they just say "no" to banding. I don't remember hearing much about older babies and starbands. My daughter wore a starband but was quite young. I don't really know why they say 6 mo. What I do know is that the foam is thicker than that used in the docband so there is more to scrape out, and therefore it can usually be adjusted a bit more. However CT feels their band is the best combination of holding pressures and adjustability - that is why they don't make the band or foam thicker. Starband seems to be less particular about exactly how long it can be worn from what I have seen, but most babies outgrow the band by 6 mo anyway. My daughter wore hers for 5 mo, then there was no more foam to adjust it further. -christinesydney, 3.5 yrs, starband grad> > >> > > Hi,> > >> > > We took for an eval at CT, a twelve hour round-trip drive!> > Their> > > assessment was very consistent with the Stanband scanner's> > > measurements. I was surprised and a little relieved after> > following so> > > many posts where CT provided higher asymmetry measurements. > > has> > > mild plagio, and his brachy barely follows within the upper> > border of> > > normal. His right forehand is slightly bigger than the left. I was> > > extremely disappointed that they noted some ear and eye> > asymmetry, which> > > I had not noticed. It is very mild, but now I know it is there. :|(> > > has never been diagnosed with torticollis, but the evaluation> > > showed he still prefers turning his head right. I should> > probably start> > > being more aggressive about addressing 's neck.> > >> > > Due to his age and that his case is mild, they did not recommend> > banding> > > again. However, they are very willing to up until 18 months.> > They said> > > we may not get the results we want though and any improvement> > will be> > > slow. Since I'm still unhappy with 's head, we are most> > definitely> > > going to try another band. We are still unsure when to switch> > bands.> > > (The main reason to switch is CT's willingness and experience> > treating> > > older babies.) CT recommended switching right away if we were going> > > to. However, this may mean less overall band time. Our Starband> > fixed> > > the mild brachy and visually improved the back asymmetry. I'm very> > > worried about the forehead and facial asymmetry though however> > mild it> > > is. CT said that if we rebanded now we could do two DOC bands,> > but it> > > would not be recommended. We're leaning toward finishing out our 6> > > months in the Starband, 10 weeks left, and then switching at 18> > months.> > > I feel nervous about this decision, or for that matter any> > alternative> > > decision.> > >> > > I've read people have had late success in a DOC band with forehead> > > asymmetry. How about with a right anterior ear and barely> > thinner left> > > eye? Please share both positive and negative results. Could an> > > osteopath help with any of these asymmetries? We have an> > appointment> > > set up with one in early Nov. We also get chiro/CST treatments> > from a> > > wonderful chiropractor, but she has been on vacation for a> > couple weeks. :|(> > >> > >> > > Thanks,> > > Kathy, mom to , almost 16 months, almost 4 months Starband> > >> >> >> >>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Thanks! This makes sense. I still don't understand why Orthomerica

doesn't believe this. The only reason I can think of is the holding

points aren't as important for a Starband. If there was any chance a

new Starband would do better than our current one, we would beg our

ortho to make a new one at 18 months. However, if it doesn't matter

for the Starband, we might as well not spend the money. It is

confusing. It was the first 2 weeks in the Starband where we saw the

drop in asymmetry. There is no way to know if this was because it was

new or that is when we saw the growth. Now I think it was not just

growth we saw, but partially swelling as well.

The right side of 's head is not quite as angular after his chiro

visit yesterday. Today he has his first visit with an osteopath.

Thanks everybody,

Kathy, mom to 16 months, 4 months in Starband

nwilkens2275 wrote:

I'm not sure it has as much to do with the foam as it does with

the plastic. CT believes (and I agree from my exerience) that the

plastic loses strength and the holding points aren't as strong by 4

months, especially after the foam is shaved out in areas and you've

been taking it off and putting it on for some many months (think of how

hard it was to get the band on at the beginning of treatment, and how

easy it is by the end). So starting with a new band is actually more

beneficial. We saw the most improvement in my son's head shape in the

first weeks of each of his bands, then it would taper off a bit. The

other idea too, is that the second band (or even a new DOCBand after

wearing another band for a while) is custom made to fit the head at

that point (after whatever change has occurred from the first band),

not where you started. So it will fit differently, can address

different holding points if necessary, and achieve better results than

to leave an old band on longer.

Jake-3 (DOCBand Grad 9/08)

> > > >

> > > > Hi,

> > > >

> > > > We took for an eval at CT, a twelve hour

round-trip drive!

> > > Their

> > > > assessment was very consistent with the Stanband

scanner's

> > > > measurements. I was surprised and a little relieved

after

> > > following so

> > > > many posts where CT provided higher asymmetry

measurements.

> > > has

> > > > mild plagio, and his brachy barely follows within

the upper

> > > border of

> > > > normal. His right forehand is slightly bigger than

the left. I was

> > > > extremely disappointed that they noted some ear and

eye

> > > asymmetry, which

> > > > I had not noticed. It is very mild, but now I know

it is there. :|(

> > > > has never been diagnosed with torticollis, but

the evaluation

> > > > showed he still prefers turning his head right. I

should

> > > probably start

> > > > being more aggressive about addressing 's neck.

> > > >

> > > > Due to his age and that his case is mild, they did

not recommend

> > > banding

> > > > again. However, they are very willing to up until

18 months.

> > > They said

> > > > we may not get the results we want though and any

improvement

> > > will be

> > > > slow. Since I'm still unhappy with 's head, we

are most

> > > definitely

> > > > going to try another band. We are still unsure when

to switch

> > > bands.

> > > > (The main reason to switch is CT's willingness and

experience

> > > treating

> > > > older babies.) CT recommended switching right away

if we were going

> > > > to. However, this may mean less overall band time.

Our Starband

> > > fixed

> > > > the mild brachy and visually improved the back

asymmetry. I'm very

> > > > worried about the forehead and facial asymmetry

though however

> > > mild it

> > > > is. CT said that if we rebanded now we could do two

DOC bands,

> > > but it

> > > > would not be recommended. We're leaning toward

finishing out our 6

> > > > months in the Starband, 10 weeks left, and then

switching at 18

> > > months.

> > > > I feel nervous about this decision, or for that

matter any

> > > alternative

> > > > decision.

> > > >

> > > > I've read people have had late success in a DOC

band with forehead

> > > > asymmetry. How about with a right anterior ear and

barely

> > > thinner left

> > > > eye? Please share both positive and negative

results. Could an

> > > > osteopath help with any of these asymmetries? We

have an

> > > appointment

> > > > set up with one in early Nov. We also get chiro/CST

treatments

> > > from a

> > > > wonderful chiropractor, but she has been on

vacation for a

> > > couple weeks. :|(

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Thanks,

> > > > Kathy, mom to , almost 16 months, almost 4

months Starband

> > > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Kathy,

I wonder if the STARband is different. The plastic on ours seems as good as it was after the first couple of weeks (when it was really stiff) and it's been 11 months since it was made. The STARband also is made looser so that a new band needs a little bit of growth before it seems to fit the head really well. Given that 's growth is so slow, you may not want to introduce this factor. I think that Doc bands are made with a tighter fit (so I've heard). If you notice deterioration in the band (plastic or foam), you could try asking for a new band after the six months is up.

's most improvement occurred during her biggest growth spurt, which I believe was probably between weeks 5 and 9. Then, her growth slowed way down and so did the change. If I'd had the band on during her next growth spurt, I could tell you for sure whether the time factor makes a difference. Unfortunately, we took her out of it before then.

In a way, it's not really a good comparison to figure out if time makes a difference in the bands because the longer they are in the band, the older they are and the growth slows done with this process. And, the younger babies who are still growing quickly never need to be in a band for as long as 6 months.

I wonder how both CT and Orthoamerica made their determinations of how long the bands are good for. It seems that this would be extremely difficult to figure out in any kind of reliable manner.

Glad to hear about the chiro visit. Both of us have been checking out 's head this week, and I think that we are seeing improvement. I'm not sure whether it's from the chiro or the CST, but who cares? has now had16 adjustments and she's still not holding between appointments, but she's easier to adjust. Anyway, the improvement is just subjective and is obviously not any kind of proof. But, we think that she is looking better. In fact, I had her in pig tails and I thought that she looked pretty good. I think I'm going to ask for measurements at her next CST appointment.

How did the visit with the osteopath go?

, mom to , 25 months

STARband grad May 2009

Chiro and CST

land

Re: Re: Update on plagio in 16 months old

Hi ,Thanks! This makes sense. I still don't understand why Orthomerica doesn't believe this. The only reason I can think of is the holding points aren't as important for a Starband. If there was any chance a new Starband would do better than our current one, we would beg our ortho to make a new one at 18 months. However, if it doesn't matter for the Starband, we might as well not spend the money. It is confusing. It was the first 2 weeks in the Starband where we saw the drop in asymmetry. There is no way to know if this was because it was new or that is when we saw the growth. Now I think it was not just growth we saw, but partially swelling as well.The right side of 's head is not quite as angular after his chiro visit yesterday. Today he has his first visit with an osteopath. Thanks everybody,Kathy, mom to 16 months, 4 months in Starbandnwilkens2275 wrote:

I'm not sure it has as much to do with the foam as it does with the plastic. CT believes (and I agree from my exerience) that the plastic loses strength and the holding points aren't as strong by 4 months, especially after the foam is shaved out in areas and you've been taking it off and putting it on for some many months (think of how hard it was to get the band on at the beginning of treatment, and how easy it is by the end). So starting with a new band is actually more beneficial. We saw the most improvement in my son's head shape in the first weeks of each of his bands, then it would taper off a bit. The other idea too, is that the second band (or even a new DOCBand after wearing another band for a while) is custom made to fit the head at that point (after whatever change has occurred from the first band), not where you started. So it will fit differently, can address different holding points if necessary, and achieve better results than to leave an old band on longer. Jake-3 (DOCBand Grad 9/08) > > > > > > > > Hi, > > > > > > > > We took for an eval at CT, a twelve hour round-trip drive! > > > Their > > > > assessment was very consistent with the Stanband scanner's > > > > measurements. I was surprised and a little relieved after > > > following so > > > > many posts where CT provided higher asymmetry measurements. > > > has > > > > mild plagio, and his brachy barely follows within the upper > > > border of > > > > normal. His right forehand is slightly bigger than the left. I was > > > > extremely disappointed that they noted some ear and eye > > > asymmetry, which > > > > I had not noticed. It is very mild, but now I know it is there. :|( > > > > has never been diagnosed with torticollis, but the evaluation > > > > showed he still prefers turning his head right. I should > > > probably start > > > > being more aggressive about addressing 's neck. > > > > > > > > Due to his age and that his case is mild, they did not recommend > > > banding > > > > again. However, they are very willing to up until 18 months. > > > They said > > > > we may not get the results we want though and any improvement > > > will be > > > > slow. Since I'm still unhappy with 's head, we are most > > > definitely > > > > going to try another band. We are still unsure when to switch > > > bands. > > > > (The main reason to switch is CT's willingness and experience > > > treating > > > > older babies.) CT recommended switching right away if we were going > > > > to. However, this may mean less overall band time. Our Starband > > > fixed > > > > the mild brachy and visually improved the back asymmetry. I'm very > > > > worried about the forehead and facial asymmetry though however > > > mild it > > > > is. CT said that if we rebanded now we could do two DOC bands, > > > but it > > > > would not be recommended. We're leaning toward finishing out our 6 > > > > months in the Starband, 10 weeks left, and then switching at 18 > > > months. > > > > I feel nervous about this decision, or for that matter any > > > alternative > > > > decision. > > > > > > > > I've read people have had late success in a DOC band with forehead > > > > asymmetry. How about with a right anterior ear and barely > > > thinner left > > > > eye? Please share both positive and negative results. Could an > > > > osteopath help with any of these asymmetries? We have an > > > appointment > > > > set up with one in early Nov. We also get chiro/CST treatments > > > from a > > > > wonderful chiropractor, but she has been on vacation for a > > > couple weeks. :|( > > > > > > > > > > > > Thanks, > > > > Kathy, mom to , almost 16 months, almost 4 months Starband > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

That is great 's head might be looking better!

My husband took to the osteopath.  I spoke with her on the phone

this morning.  It sounds like she has a lot of experience with this. 

She told my husband she can get improvement with 's head, but not

100%.  's head looks smoother than last week, but we don't know if

it is from the chiro or the osteopath.  One thing that worries me is

that she wants me to stop the chiro for now and that is the only thing

I know is helping .  The description of the visit sounds similar to

the chiro treatments, but a little more intense.  It is only a 15 min

drive away.  Another thing that bothered my husband and I is that she

said she is going to check some things out next week and possibly

recommend we discontinue the helmet usage.  We would probably never

follow that advise.

I'm considering bringing my 5 year old with very mild plagio and mild

SID to the osteopath if it is not too stressful for him.  She said she

has gotten a little improvement in plagio on a 4 year old and that she

works on many children with SID.  I'll think about it for a little

while.

This is all so stressful!

Kathy, mom to 16 months

wrote:

 

Kathy,

 

I wonder if the STARband is different. The plastic on ours seems

as good as it was after the first couple of weeks (when it was really

stiff) and it's been 11 months since it was made. The STARband also is

made looser so that a new band needs a little bit of growth before it

seems to fit the head really well. Given that 's growth is so slow,

you may not want to introduce this factor. I think that Doc bands are

made with a tighter fit (so I've heard). If you notice deterioration in

the band (plastic or foam), you could try asking for a new band after

the six months is up.

 

's most improvement occurred during her biggest growth

spurt, which I believe was probably between weeks 5 and 9. Then, her

growth slowed way down and so did the change. If I'd had the band on

during her next growth spurt, I could tell you for sure whether the

time factor makes a difference. Unfortunately, we took her out of it

before then.

 

In a way, it's not really a good comparison to figure out if time

makes a difference in the bands because the longer they are in the

band, the older they are and the growth slows done with this process.

And, the younger babies who are still growing quickly never need to be

in a band for as long as 6 months.

 

I wonder how both CT and Orthoamerica made their determinations of

how long the bands are good for. It seems that this would be extremely

difficult to figure out in any kind of reliable manner.

 

Glad to hear about the chiro visit. Both of us have been checking

out 's head this week, and I think that we are seeing

improvement. I'm not sure whether it's from the chiro or the CST, but

who cares? has now had16 adjustments and she's still not

holding between appointments, but she's easier to adjust. Anyway, the

improvement is just subjective and is obviously not any kind of proof.

But, we think that she is looking better. In fact, I had her in pig

tails and I thought that she looked pretty good. I think I'm going to

ask for measurements at her next CST appointment.  

 

How did the visit with the osteopath go?

 

, mom to , 25 months

STARband grad May 2009

Chiro and CST

land

       

 

Re: Re: Update on plagio in 16 months old

 

Hi ,

Thanks!  This makes sense.  I still don't understand why Orthomerica

doesn't believe this.  The only reason I can think of is the holding

points aren't as important for a Starband.  If there was any chance a

new Starband would do better than our current one, we would beg our

ortho to make a new one at 18 months.  However, if it doesn't matter

for the Starband, we might as well not spend the money.  It is

confusing.  It was the first 2 weeks in the Starband where we saw the

drop in asymmetry.  There is no way to know if this was because it was

new or that is when we saw the growth.  Now I think it was not just

growth we saw, but partially swelling as well.

The right side of 's head is not quite as angular after his chiro

visit yesterday.  Today he has his first visit with an osteopath. 

Thanks everybody,

Kathy, mom to 16 months, 4 months in Starband

nwilkens2275 wrote:

 

I'm not sure it has as much to do with the foam as it does with

the plastic. CT believes (and I agree from my exerience) that the

plastic loses strength and the holding points aren't as strong by 4

months, especially after the foam is shaved out in areas and you've

been taking it off and putting it on for some many months (think of how

hard it was to get the band on at the beginning of treatment, and how

easy it is by the end). So starting with a new band is actually more

beneficial. We saw the most improvement in my son's head shape in the

first weeks of each of his bands, then it would taper off a bit. The

other idea too, is that the second band (or even a new DOCBand after

wearing another band for a while) is custom made to fit the head at

that point (after whatever change has occurred from the first band),

not where you started. So it will fit differently, can address

different holding points if necessary, and achieve better results than

to leave an old band on longer.

Jake-3 (DOCBand Grad 9/08)

> > > >

> > > > Hi,

> > > >

> > > > We took for an eval at CT, a twelve hour

round-trip drive!

> > > Their

> > > > assessment was very consistent with the Stanband

scanner's

> > > > measurements. I was surprised and a little relieved

after

> > > following so

> > > > many posts where CT provided higher asymmetry

measurements.

> > > has

> > > > mild plagio, and his brachy barely follows within

the upper

> > > border of

> > > > normal. His right forehand is slightly bigger than

the left. I was

> > > > extremely disappointed that they noted some ear and

eye

> > > asymmetry, which

> > > > I had not noticed. It is very mild, but now I know

it is there. :|(

> > > > has never been diagnosed with torticollis, but

the evaluation

> > > > showed he still prefers turning his head right. I

should

> > > probably start

> > > > being more aggressive about addressing 's neck.

> > > >

> > > > Due to his age and that his case is mild, they did

not recommend

> > > banding

> > > > again. However, they are very willing to up until

18 months.

> > > They said

> > > > we may not get the results we want though and any

improvement

> > > will be

> > > > slow. Since I'm still unhappy with 's head, we

are most

> > > definitely

> > > > going to try another band. We are still unsure when

to switch

> > > bands.

> > > > (The main reason to switch is CT's willingness and

experience

> > > treating

> > > > older babies.) CT recommended switching right away

if we were going

> > > > to. However, this may mean less overall band time.

Our Starband

> > > fixed

> > > > the mild brachy and visually improved the back

asymmetry. I'm very

> > > > worried about the forehead and facial asymmetry

though however

> > > mild it

> > > > is. CT said that if we rebanded now we could do two

DOC bands,

> > > but it

> > > > would not be recommended. We're leaning toward

finishing out our 6

> > > > months in the Starband, 10 weeks left, and then

switching at 18

> > > months.

> > > > I feel nervous about this decision, or for that

matter any

> > > alternative

> > > > decision.

> > > >

> > > > I've read people have had late success in a DOC

band with forehead

> > > > asymmetry. How about with a right anterior ear and

barely

> > > thinner left

> > > > eye? Please share both positive and negative

results. Could an

> > > > osteopath help with any of these asymmetries? We

have an

> > > appointment

> > > > set up with one in early Nov. We also get chiro/CST

treatments

> > > from a

> > > > wonderful chiropractor, but she has been on

vacation for a

> > > couple weeks. :|(

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Thanks,

> > > > Kathy, mom to , almost 16 months, almost 4

months Starband

> > > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathy,

It's interesting that the D.O seems to think that this treatment will work better than all of the others. I agree with you that I wouldn't want to give up what's been working or exclude any possible improvements that could be coming from the future use of the helmet.

We also took our son to the chiro to get him checked. They haven't gone over his scan with us yet, but from what we could see, it appeared to be clear. If it is clear, then they will do "wellness adjustments" on him for free every time we bring in another family member for an adjustment.

I started going because of back pain related to a minor car accident. I found out that my spine is shaped funny and it's a wonder that I'm functioning as well as I am. So, it looks like I'm in for about 6 months of adjustments at a minimum. They said that once 's difficulties are corrected, the will continue to do "wellness adjustments" on her for free as long as there is an adult that is coming in for adjustments as well. She'll still be going in three times a week through November, so it's possible that she'll need to keep going (although hopefully less frequently) for about 6 months as well. But, they cut us a deal for only $100 a month for her.

I wish that I could capture the improvement in pictures, but these days, it's nearly impossible for me to get any of her head. If I'm able to, I'll get some to get a better idea of her improvement. I have to say that at this point, I'm feeling good enough about her head that if it never improves anymore, I would be okay with it. I have no intention of stopping the treatments at this point, though, because I believe that they have been helpful. Plus, I'm hoping for improvements with her digestive issues.

Re: Re: Update on plagio in 16 months old

Hi ,Thanks! This makes sense. I still don't understand why Orthomerica doesn't believe this. The only reason I can think of is the holding points aren't as important for a Starband. If there was any chance a new Starband would do better than our current one, we would beg our ortho to make a new one at 18 months. However, if it doesn't matter for the Starband, we might as well not spend the money. It is confusing. It was the first 2 weeks in the Starband where we saw the drop in asymmetry. There is no way to know if this was because it was new or that is when we saw the growth. Now I think it was not just growth we saw, but partially swelling as well.The right side of 's head is not quite as angular after his chiro visit yesterday. Today he has his first visit with an osteopath. Thanks everybody,Kathy, mom to 16 months, 4 months in Starbandnwilkens2275 wrote:

I'm not sure it has as much to do with the foam as it does with the plastic. CT believes (and I agree from my exerience) that the plastic loses strength and the holding points aren't as strong by 4 months, especially after the foam is shaved out in areas and you've been taking it off and putting it on for some many months (think of how hard it was to get the band on at the beginning of treatment, and how easy it is by the end). So starting with a new band is actually more beneficial. We saw the most improvement in my son's head shape in the first weeks of each of his bands, then it would taper off a bit. The other idea too, is that the second band (or even a new DOCBand after wearing another band for a while) is custom made to fit the head at that point (after whatever change has occurred from the first band), not where you started. So it will fit differently, can address different holding points if necessary, and achieve better results than to leave an old band on longer. Jake-3 (DOCBand Grad 9/08) > > > > > > > > Hi, > > > > > > > > We took for an eval at CT, a twelve hour round-trip drive! > > > Their > > > > assessment was very consistent with the Stanband scanner's > > > > measurements. I was surprised and a little relieved after > > > following so > > > > many posts where CT provided higher asymmetry measurements. > > > has > > > > mild plagio, and his brachy barely follows within the upper > > > border of > > > > normal. His right forehand is slightly bigger than the left. I was > > > > extremely disappointed that they noted some ear and eye > > > asymmetry, which > > > > I had not noticed. It is very mild, but now I know it is there. :|( > > > > has never been diagnosed with torticollis, but the evaluation > > > > showed he still prefers turning his head right. I should > > > probably start > > > > being more aggressive about addressing 's neck. > > > > > > > > Due to his age and that his case is mild, they did not recommend > > > banding > > > > again. However, they are very willing to up until 18 months. > > > They said > > > > we may not get the results we want though and any improvement > > > will be > > > > slow. Since I'm still unhappy with 's head, we are most > > > definitely > > > > going to try another band. We are still unsure when to switch > > > bands. > > > > (The main reason to switch is CT's willingness and experience > > > treating > > > > older babies.) CT recommended switching right away if we were going > > > > to. However, this may mean less overall band time. Our Starband > > > fixed > > > > the mild brachy and visually improved the back asymmetry. I'm very > > > > worried about the forehead and facial asymmetry though however > > > mild it > > > > is. CT said that if we rebanded now we could do two DOC bands, > > > but it > > > > would not be recommended. We're leaning toward finishing out our 6 > > > > months in the Starband, 10 weeks left, and then switching at 18 > > > months. > > > > I feel nervous about this decision, or for that matter any > > > alternative > > > > decision. > > > > > > > > I've read people have had late success in a DOC band with forehead > > > > asymmetry. How about with a right anterior ear and barely > > > thinner left > > > > eye? Please share both positive and negative results. Could an > > > > osteopath help with any of these asymmetries? We have an > > > appointment > > > > set up with one in early Nov. We also get chiro/CST treatments > > > from a > > > > wonderful chiropractor, but she has been on vacation for a > > > couple weeks. :|( > > > > > > > > > > > > Thanks, > > > > Kathy, mom to , almost 16 months, almost 4 months Starband > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

It sounds like you are feeling better about 's head.  I hope it

works out.  It would be nice to have this mostly behind you.  I would

definitely keep up the wellness visits though. 

Hopefully, the D.O. is right and her treatment works.  's head is

not as angular on the right side after the chiro and osteopath visits. 

I'm hoping having things adjusted properly will help the back right

grow out. 

I can see the D.O.'s reasoning about the chiro visits since she

wouldn't be able to tell what her adjustments are doing compared to

those of the chiro.  If she advises to discontinue the helmet usage,

I'm definitely against it.  It will be hard, but I'm thinking of

calling the chiro and telling her.  I may ask her to check the D.O.'s

work next week, but not actually adjust 's head.  She is nice and

will provide me with her honest opinion and advise.  One thing I worry

about is the long drives to the chiropractor being hard on 's neck

since he falls asleep.  Both the chiro and osteopath found problems in

's neck.

-Kathy, mom to 16 months

wrote:

 

Hi Kathy,

 

It's interesting that the D.O seems to think that this treatment

will work better than all of the others. I agree with you that I

wouldn't want to give up what's been working or exclude any possible

improvements that could be coming from the future use of the helmet.

 

We also took our son to the chiro to get him checked. They haven't

gone over his scan with us yet, but from what we could see, it appeared

to be clear. If it is clear, then they will do "wellness adjustments"

on him for free every time we bring in another family member for an

adjustment.

 

I started going because of back pain related to a minor car

accident. I found out that my spine is shaped funny and it's a wonder

that I'm functioning as well as I am. So, it looks like I'm in for

about 6 months of adjustments at a minimum. They said that once

's difficulties are corrected, the will continue to do "wellness

adjustments" on her for free as long as there is an adult that is

coming in for adjustments as well. She'll still be going in three times

a week through November, so it's possible that she'll need to keep

going (although hopefully less frequently) for about 6 months as well.

But, they cut us a deal for only $100 a month for her.

 

I wish that I could capture the improvement in pictures, but these

days, it's nearly impossible for me to get any of her head. If I'm able

to, I'll get some to get a better idea of her improvement. I have to

say that at this point, I'm feeling good enough about her head that if

it never improves anymore, I would be okay with it. I have no intention

of stopping the treatments at this point, though, because I believe

that they have been helpful. Plus, I'm hoping for improvements with her

digestive issues.

 

       

 

Re: Re: Update on plagio in 16 months old

 

Hi ,

Thanks!  This makes sense.  I still don't understand why Orthomerica

doesn't believe this.  The only reason I can think of is the holding

points aren't as important for a Starband.  If there was any chance a

new Starband would do better than our current one, we would beg our

ortho to make a new one at 18 months.  However, if it doesn't matter

for the Starband, we might as well not spend the money.  It is

confusing.  It was the first 2 weeks in the Starband where we saw the

drop in asymmetry.  There is no way to know if this was because it was

new or that is when we saw the growth.  Now I think it was not just

growth we saw, but partially swelling as well.

The right side of 's head is not quite as angular after his chiro

visit yesterday.  Today he has his first visit with an osteopath. 

Thanks everybody,

Kathy, mom to 16 months, 4 months in Starband

nwilkens2275 wrote:

 

I'm not sure it has as much to do with the foam as it does

with the plastic. CT believes (and I agree from my exerience) that the

plastic loses strength and the holding points aren't as strong by 4

months, especially after the foam is shaved out in areas and you've

been taking it off and putting it on for some many months (think of how

hard it was to get the band on at the beginning of treatment, and how

easy it is by the end). So starting with a new band is actually more

beneficial. We saw the most improvement in my son's head shape in the

first weeks of each of his bands, then it would taper off a bit. The

other idea too, is that the second band (or even a new DOCBand after

wearing another band for a while) is custom made to fit the head at

that point (after whatever change has occurred from the first band),

not where you started. So it will fit differently, can address

different holding points if necessary, and achieve better results than

to leave an old band on longer.

Jake-3 (DOCBand Grad 9/08)

> > > >

> > > > Hi,

> > > >

> > > > We took for an eval at CT, a twelve hour

round-trip drive!

> > > Their

> > > > assessment was very consistent with the Stanband

scanner's

> > > > measurements. I was surprised and a little relieved

after

> > > following so

> > > > many posts where CT provided higher asymmetry

measurements.

> > > has

> > > > mild plagio, and his brachy barely follows within

the upper

> > > border of

> > > > normal. His right forehand is slightly bigger than

the left. I was

> > > > extremely disappointed that they noted some ear and

eye

> > > asymmetry, which

> > > > I had not noticed. It is very mild, but now I know

it is there. :|(

> > > > has never been diagnosed with torticollis, but

the evaluation

> > > > showed he still prefers turning his head right. I

should

> > > probably start

> > > > being more aggressive about addressing 's neck.

> > > >

> > > > Due to his age and that his case is mild, they did

not recommend

> > > banding

> > > > again. However, they are very willing to up until

18 months.

> > > They said

> > > > we may not get the results we want though and any

improvement

> > > will be

> > > > slow. Since I'm still unhappy with 's head, we

are most

> > > definitely

> > > > going to try another band. We are still unsure when

to switch

> > > bands.

> > > > (The main reason to switch is CT's willingness and

experience

> > > treating

> > > > older babies.) CT recommended switching right away

if we were going

> > > > to. However, this may mean less overall band time.

Our Starband

> > > fixed

> > > > the mild brachy and visually improved the back

asymmetry. I'm very

> > > > worried about the forehead and facial asymmetry

though however

> > > mild it

> > > > is. CT said that if we rebanded now we could do two

DOC bands,

> > > but it

> > > > would not be recommended. We're leaning toward

finishing out our 6

> > > > months in the Starband, 10 weeks left, and then

switching at 18

> > > months.

> > > > I feel nervous about this decision, or for that

matter any

> > > alternative

> > > > decision.

> > > >

> > > > I've read people have had late success in a DOC

band with forehead

> > > > asymmetry. How about with a right anterior ear and

barely

> > > thinner left

> > > > eye? Please share both positive and negative

results. Could an

> > > > osteopath help with any of these asymmetries? We

have an

> > > appointment

> > > > set up with one in early Nov. We also get chiro/CST

treatments

> > > from a

> > > > wonderful chiropractor, but she has been on

vacation for a

> > > couple weeks. :|(

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Thanks,

> > > > Kathy, mom to , almost 16 months, almost 4

months Starband

> > > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> >

>