Re: Re: F/up to cannot decide what to do. Pictures Included

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I have to agree that it isn't too bad. I think that visually (rather than from numbers), she isn't severe - probably moderate. More and more, I am beginning to move away from relying totally on the numbers to judge how severe the head is. She looks better than my daughter did when she was banded (she was 95 percent) but not as good as after she graduated (her number was 92.2 so that makes sense). She was nearly 15 months old when banded and that is why she didn't get more correction. Your daughter is young enough that you could really be looking at middle 80s numbers.

However, while I regret that I didn't get additional correction, I often wonder if I would have done a band if she started where she is now.

I know that this doesn't help you much, but I think that you just have to go with your gut on this one. In the end, I probably would band, but I don't think it would be wrong not to since you feel that her head looks pretty good.

You could always try alternative treatments instead, but most of us that have done alternative treatments have done them in conjunction with the band. Although my cranial doctor claims that there is research supporting the use of CST for plagio and brachy, I've never actually seen the research and no other doctors have heard about it. But, in the office where she works, there is a PT that does an eval for tort and other issues and can even do CST (we went elsewhere because they were out of network for my insurance). So, she must believe strongly in it. And, I will tell you that 's pediatrician did notice some improvement in her head during the 1 month that she had only CST before her band (it took that long to get it because of insurances issues, etc). And, I believe I have seen some when we did her CST and chiro after her band. The chiro seems to have affected the base of her head the most. I am still seeing changes in those little bumps that are part of her width (above her ears) as well as the degree to which her ears stick out. And, I still see changes in the rounding closer to the base of her head. I can really see it in a single pony tail now and she will be 3 in August. She continues with chiro on a maintenance basis. However, if you choose this route, you would have to do so knowing that you might miss her best window for banding. I would never recommend this if you are sure that you want major changes to the head because this route tends to be slower to work, although it does work quicker for younger babies. There is at least one case where a parent did get correction into the normal range by using only the alternative treatments (doctors wouldn't write a script for a band), but this is the only case that I know of (although I don't remember the name of the person).

Good luck with your decision.

, mom to , 2.5 years

STARband grad May 2009

Chiro and CST

land Re: F/up to cannot decide what to do. Pictures Included

She is very cute! Honestly, she looks moderate for brachy. Definitely one of the less severe cases I have seen. That being said, I still see brachy characteristics such as forehead bossing, bulges over her ears, some extra width, and some occipital flattening. I believe she would correct very nicely with a band. She probably wouldn't need to wear it very long either. She just needs to gain some length, occipital rounding, and have her width held while she grows. I would band, even though she's not severe due to the fact that she will probably look totally normal, as long as the type of band used is an active band and the ortho is experienced.-DanaDominic 10.75 monthsDOC Band Grad 10.19.09 / 04.14.10Cephalic Index 101.5%-84%>> Ok, so I got a little more info about her stats, she has a 4-5mm plagio measurement, which I know is marginal for abnormal. But, her cephalic index (ratio) was 93.4%, which makes her severely brachy. I guess It's so hard to decide whether or not to helmet because she 'looks' fairly 'normal' for such a severe brachy number. > > Here are some photos, I took. I feel like I'm analyzing her entire head shape now, and found myself looking back through all of her pictures. > > We still haven't made a decision 100% either way, and are waiting on a quote for the cost of everything, the ortho was out today & I do not think we are going to go with Hanger. > > http://tinypic.com/useralbum.php?ua=npOOLn1nL%2BSsR1njukARhA%3D%3D> > Thanks!>