Re: STARband or DOC Band for correcting facial asymmetry?

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Regarding the starscanner, it actually takes into account the whole head, including the skull base. You just have to look at the asymmetry percentages rather than focusing on the level 3 measurements. When they judge the severity of the head, they are supposed to be looking at the percentages as well as that level 3 diaganol difference. In your case, those percentages may tell more of the story than the level 3 number. The starscanner also provides a facial symmetry percentage and an ear misalignment number as well. Did they give you a printout of all of your numbers? If not, I would ask for one.

, mom to , 2 3/4 years

STARband grad

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From: Emmy Jo <bonniebrownhair@...>Plagiocephaly Sent: Mon, July 26, 2010 3:32:44 PMSubject: STARband or DOC Band for correcting facial asymmetry?

My 6 month old son has been diagnosed with plagiocephaly. We think much of it occurred in utero, as the facial and ear asymmetry is much more pronounced than the flattening on the back of his head.We took him to an orthotist who uses the STARscanner and STARband. My concern is that the measurements he took with the STARscanner program focused mainly on the top of the head. I spoke with DOC band people over the phone, and it seems they also take measurements at the skull base (which is the area that affects ear and cheek asymmetry). Although both bands can correct facial asymmetry, I like that the DOC band people might be more likely to focus on facial asymmetry when tracking his progress.According to STARband measurements, our son has a mild case, with cranial asymmetry of 5.7 mm. However, I tend to think that only gives part of the picture. Perhaps a different type of measurement might put him into the moderate (over 6 mm) range.

The main downsides to the DOC band are that we would have to travel 6 hours to the nearest clinic and that our insurance might not pay for it (still trying to figure out the last part). Does anyone have advice on which band worked for correcting your child's facial asymmetry (especially if the cheek asymmetry seemed more pronounced than the forehead or back of head asymmetry)?Thanks,