Re: Re: Second guessing our choice not to get a second band.

[Guest guest]

On Mar 15, 2010, at 12:04 AM, Me wrote:

> I guess I have gone from being unsure about doing another band to

> feeling sick that we even did the first.

Oh, no, please don't think that way on my account. I think you did

right. On further reflection, I think what we're seeing with the

angular temporal lines is that oddly shaped bones become more evident

after the sutures form. Those lines are in the middle of the bones,

nowhere near sutures, so it is highly speculative that any helmet

could have an influence on them. Open fontanelles moderated the

aesthetic appearance initially, but the form was probably present at

birth.

I was once misled by this phenomenon, so I'm very glad you were not.

Our pediatrician could see Clara's plagio when we were still on the

birthing unit, but I had no idea what she was looking at. It made

her seem more knowledgeable, when in fact she was an anti-helmet

ideologue. I *wish* I had jumped on Clara's plagio when it was less

noticeable.

--

Thad Launderville

Montpelier, VT

Clara age 23 months, in STARband 6 1/2 months

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Have you tried an osteopath? We took to a top notched osteopath

and it helped. I think there are some things that an osteopath can

help with that a helmet won't, and vice-versa.

Our head mold is filled in with white plaster where they wanted growth,

so it is not that useful for comparisons. I look at the contours from

our head scans. Unfortunately, I don't see any measurable change in

forehead asymmetry. 's forehead was very mild to begin with, so

maybe it was too mild for the helmet to help with. It is the back

where was bad and there has been improvement in this area.

Maybe, you can try talking with CT about the upside down triangle

look. I would also try showing an osteopath or other alternative

therapists. Maybe, someone can provide some guidance.

CT told us they would do a band, but then it turned out they could

not. They said the deciding factor was 's head shape. They told

us there would be a danger of a Doc band making 's head worse.

Since then, has improved in his old Starband. ly, I feel

more comfortable with a Starband and a qualified ortho than a Doc band,

but many people choose CT.

Good luck,

Kathy, mom to , 21.5 months, plagio treated since 12 months

Me wrote:

Thank you all for replying to me!

It surprises me that you all don't think she was bad to begin with. We

were told that she was moderate to severe. Huh. Interesting.

Thad...yes, you are right. The first helmet seemed to really correct

the flat spots on the sides of the back of her head (mostly the right

side, the left was the worst but it was improved as well) but not so

much the forehead asymmetry. There was SOME forehead improvement but

not a ton. CT said that a second band probably wouldn't improve her

forehead much anyway which is one of the reasons we opted NOT to go

with a second. I do hope that the forehead 'bump' does straighten out.

Kath...yes, I suppose it did for sure prevent it from getting worse.

Did you put your band on the head mold to see the improvement? Ours did

show a bit of improvement on the left (meaning, the left side grew a

bit while the right was supposed to have stayed the same) so I know we

got SOME improvement but no, not a ton.

Kathy...thank you. Yes, CT confirmed at our exit appointment that they

would do a second band & that our insurance would cover the same

amount as the first time. So, I guess that is a positive here if we

decide to go with another. I do think you are right that there is no

harm in going to another appointment at CT for some measurements.

...yes, the one thing I didn't like about CT was that they did

hand measurements. I so wish they did digital like the others. I do

hope that her head continues to grow taller & naturally round out.

The spot that bothers me the most is that upside down triangle look. I

DO feel that it was always kind of there but I ALSO feel it looks worse

now than before...even than back in December.

I guess I have gone from being unsure about doing another band to

feeling sick that we even did the first.

As a mom (Macy is my second child) I tend to over analyze & second

guess my decisions in general. But, this just seems to weigh so heavily

on me. I just don't feel peace with any decision when it has come to

her band. And, my husband is a great dad but he's very much hands-off

when it comes to decisions such as this. He says he will support me

with whatever I decide. This makes it hard for me because the decision

& therefore whatever consequences fall squarely on me.

Thank you for reading & letting me vent.

>

> I'm thinking we should have gone with a second band.

>

> Would like opinions on if you would or not (photos in MACY LYNNE

album in photo section).

>

> Background...

>

> Moderate-Severe Plagio (I believe that she was a 15, maybe) due to

torticollis

>

> Cranial Tech DOC BAND for 3 months (4 months to 6 months)

>

> At end of treatment she measured a 5 (I believe, it may have been

a 6)

>

> The clinicians in the CT office were divided on their opinions if

we should get a second band. The office manager was leaning towards a

yes, the clinician was leaning towards a no. We discussed for an hour

& decided not to.

>

> She is now 9 months old.

>

> Pros of getting a band- NOT second guessing ourselves anymore.

Doing ALL that we can for her.

>

> Cons of getting a band- The closest CT is two hours away &

it's costly in gas. The cost of the band (we would have to cover $600).

We live in the desert & it's going to get hot here soon & I

don't want her banded in the heat. Snuggles without the band are much

sweeter than snuggles with the band. I'm worried about a period of

adjustment as now she is 9 months.

>

>

> My main questions:

>

> 1) Do you think it's just cosmetic? And, if so, do you think it's

noticeable to those without the trained eye that we have? And, do you

see any assymetry in her face or just her head?

>

> 2) Would you go for a second band?

>

> Thank you in advance for your reply & support!

>

[Guest guest]

Kathy- I would say the forehead looks pretty good in real life.  WE can notice it a bit but honestly what stands out to me more is the size of her left eye compared to her right.  Mama has a high forehead anyway that I cover with bangs so I'm sure both my girls will end up doing that. 

thad-  Nope, don't feel bad.  I really value your opinion.  And, like I said earlier....I tend to over analyze & second guess myself anyway.  :)Kathy-  Interesting.  I know many on here talk of seeing specialists but I'm not quite sure what an osteopath does?  Is it similar to chiropractic care?  My husband is not on board with any sort of physical manipulation.  I may look into this more, though!  Thank you for the suggestion!

Thanks again for all the help.  I'm feeling more confident with our choice not to get a second band.  :)On Sun, Mar 14, 2010 at 11:35 PM, Kathy Lora Jensen <kathylorajensen@...> wrote:

 

Hi,

Have you tried an osteopath?  We took to a top notched osteopath

and it helped.  I think there are some things that an osteopath can

help with that a helmet won't, and vice-versa. 

Our head mold is filled in with white plaster where they wanted growth,

so it is not that useful for comparisons.  I look at the contours from

our head scans.  Unfortunately, I don't see any measurable change in

forehead asymmetry.  's forehead was very mild to begin with, so

maybe it was too mild for the helmet to help with.  It is the back

where was bad and there has been improvement in this area.

Maybe, you can try talking with CT about the upside down triangle

look.  I would also try showing an osteopath or other alternative

therapists.  Maybe, someone can provide some guidance. 

CT told us they would do a band, but then it turned out they could

not.  They said the deciding factor was 's head shape.  They told

us there would be a danger of a Doc band making 's head worse. 

Since then, has improved in his old Starband.  ly, I feel

more comfortable with a Starband and a qualified ortho than a Doc band,

but many people choose CT.

Good luck,

Kathy, mom to , 21.5 months, plagio treated since 12 months

Me wrote:

 

Thank you all for replying to me!

It surprises me that you all don't think she was bad to begin with. We

were told that she was moderate to severe. Huh. Interesting.

Thad...yes, you are right. The first helmet seemed to really correct

the flat spots on the sides of the back of her head (mostly the right

side, the left was the worst but it was improved as well) but not so

much the forehead asymmetry. There was SOME forehead improvement but

not a ton. CT said that a second band probably wouldn't improve her

forehead much anyway which is one of the reasons we opted NOT to go

with a second. I do hope that the forehead 'bump' does straighten out.

Kath...yes, I suppose it did for sure prevent it from getting worse.

Did you put your band on the head mold to see the improvement? Ours did

show a bit of improvement on the left (meaning, the left side grew a

bit while the right was supposed to have stayed the same) so I know we

got SOME improvement but no, not a ton.

Kathy...thank you. Yes, CT confirmed at our exit appointment that they

would do a second band & that our insurance would cover the same

amount as the first time. So, I guess that is a positive here if we

decide to go with another. I do think you are right that there is no

harm in going to another appointment at CT for some measurements.

...yes, the one thing I didn't like about CT was that they did

hand measurements. I so wish they did digital like the others. I do

hope that her head continues to grow taller & naturally round out.

The spot that bothers me the most is that upside down triangle look. I

DO feel that it was always kind of there but I ALSO feel it looks worse

now than before...even than back in December.

I guess I have gone from being unsure about doing another band to

feeling sick that we even did the first.

As a mom (Macy is my second child) I tend to over analyze & second

guess my decisions in general. But, this just seems to weigh so heavily

on me. I just don't feel peace with any decision when it has come to

her band. And, my husband is a great dad but he's very much hands-off

when it comes to decisions such as this. He says he will support me

with whatever I decide. This makes it hard for me because the decision

& therefore whatever consequences fall squarely on me.

Thank you for reading & letting me vent.

>

> I'm thinking we should have gone with a second band.

>

> Would like opinions on if you would or not (photos in MACY LYNNE

album in photo section).

>

> Background...

>

> Moderate-Severe Plagio (I believe that she was a 15, maybe) due to

torticollis

>

> Cranial Tech DOC BAND for 3 months (4 months to 6 months)

>

> At end of treatment she measured a 5 (I believe, it may have been

a 6)

>

> The clinicians in the CT office were divided on their opinions if

we should get a second band. The office manager was leaning towards a

yes, the clinician was leaning towards a no. We discussed for an hour

& decided not to.

>

> She is now 9 months old.

>

> Pros of getting a band- NOT second guessing ourselves anymore.

Doing ALL that we can for her.

>

> Cons of getting a band- The closest CT is two hours away &

it's costly in gas. The cost of the band (we would have to cover $600).

We live in the desert & it's going to get hot here soon & I

don't want her banded in the heat. Snuggles without the band are much

sweeter than snuggles with the band. I'm worried about a period of

adjustment as now she is 9 months.

>

>

> My main questions:

>

> 1) Do you think it's just cosmetic? And, if so, do you think it's

noticeable to those without the trained eye that we have? And, do you

see any assymetry in her face or just her head?

>

> 2) Would you go for a second band?

>

> Thank you in advance for your reply & support!

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

My husband knows more about the cranial osteopath since he takes

to those appointments.  I know the osteopath does manipulations on

's head.  's chiro also does some cranial sacral therapy, but

it is not as intense as the osteopath's work.  At first I felt uneasy

with the idea of an osteopath, but then I became desperate and would

have tried almost anything.  It has helped.  Before the osteopath work,

's head even looked completely skewed, and now it looks pretty

normal in the lower part.

The eye part is tricky.  I'm not sure what works for that.  Turns out

my 5 year old has a smaller left eye since birth.  My husband knew

about, but I never paid any attention until recently even though it is

easy to spot.  's left eye may be smaller too, but nothing like my

older son's.  Maybe, someone else has an idea for the eye.

Best,

Kathy, mom to 21.5 months, very mild plagio treated since 12

months, and 5 years with very mild plagio

NeRoy wrote:

 

Kathy- I would say the forehead looks pretty good in real life. 

WE can notice it a bit but honestly what stands out to me more is the

size of her left eye compared to her right.  Mama has a high forehead

anyway that I cover with bangs so I'm sure both my girls will end up

doing that. 

thad-  Nope, don't feel bad.  I really value your opinion.  And, like I

said earlier....I tend to over analyze & second guess myself

anyway. 

Kathy-  Interesting.  I know many on here talk of seeing specialists

but I'm not quite sure what an osteopath does?  Is it similar to

chiropractic care?  My husband is not on board with any sort of

physical manipulation.  I may look into this more, though!  Thank you

for the suggestion!

Thanks again for all the help.  I'm feeling more confident with our

choice not to get a second band. 

On Sun, Mar 14, 2010 at 11:35 PM, Kathy Lora

Jensen <kathylorajensengmail>

wrote:

 

Hi,

Have you tried an osteopath?  We took to a top notched osteopath

and it helped.  I think there are some things that an osteopath can

help with that a helmet won't, and vice-versa. 

Our head mold is filled in with white plaster where they wanted growth,

so it is not that useful for comparisons.  I look at the contours from

our head scans.  Unfortunately, I don't see any measurable change in

forehead asymmetry.  's forehead was very mild to begin with, so

maybe it was too mild for the helmet to help with.  It is the back

where was bad and there has been improvement in this area.

Maybe, you can try talking with CT about the upside down triangle

look.  I would also try showing an osteopath or other alternative

therapists.  Maybe, someone can provide some guidance. 

CT told us they would do a band, but then it turned out they could

not.  They said the deciding factor was 's head shape.  They told

us there would be a danger of a Doc band making 's head worse. 

Since then, has improved in his old Starband.  ly, I feel

more comfortable with a Starband and a qualified ortho than a Doc band,

but many people choose CT.

Good luck,

Kathy, mom to , 21.5 months, plagio treated since 12 months

Me wrote:

 

Thank you all for replying to me!

It surprises me that you all don't think she was bad to begin with. We

were told that she was moderate to severe. Huh. Interesting.

Thad...yes, you are right. The first helmet seemed to really correct

the flat spots on the sides of the back of her head (mostly the right

side, the left was the worst but it was improved as well) but not so

much the forehead asymmetry. There was SOME forehead improvement but

not a ton. CT said that a second band probably wouldn't improve her

forehead much anyway which is one of the reasons we opted NOT to go

with a second. I do hope that the forehead 'bump' does straighten out.

Kath...yes, I suppose it did for sure prevent it from getting worse.

Did you put your band on the head mold to see the improvement? Ours did

show a bit of improvement on the left (meaning, the left side grew a

bit while the right was supposed to have stayed the same) so I know we

got SOME improvement but no, not a ton.

Kathy...thank you. Yes, CT confirmed at our exit appointment that they

would do a second band & that our insurance would cover the same

amount as the first time. So, I guess that is a positive here if we

decide to go with another. I do think you are right that there is no

harm in going to another appointment at CT for some measurements.

...yes, the one thing I didn't like about CT was that they did

hand measurements. I so wish they did digital like the others. I do

hope that her head continues to grow taller & naturally round out.

The spot that bothers me the most is that upside down triangle look. I

DO feel that it was always kind of there but I ALSO feel it looks worse

now than before...even than back in December.

I guess I have gone from being unsure about doing another band to

feeling sick that we even did the first.

As a mom (Macy is my second child) I tend to over analyze & second

guess my decisions in general. But, this just seems to weigh so heavily

on me. I just don't feel peace with any decision when it has come to

her band. And, my husband is a great dad but he's very much hands-off

when it comes to decisions such as this. He says he will support me

with whatever I decide. This makes it hard for me because the decision

& therefore whatever consequences fall squarely on me.

Thank you for reading & letting me vent.

>

> I'm thinking we should have gone with a second band.

>

> Would like opinions on if you would or not (photos in MACY LYNNE

album in photo section).

>

> Background...

>

> Moderate-Severe Plagio (I believe that she was a 15, maybe) due to

torticollis

>

> Cranial Tech DOC BAND for 3 months (4 months to 6 months)

>

> At end of treatment she measured a 5 (I believe, it may have been

a 6)

>

> The clinicians in the CT office were divided on their opinions if

we should get a second band. The office manager was leaning towards a

yes, the clinician was leaning towards a no. We discussed for an hour

& decided not to.

>

> She is now 9 months old.

>

> Pros of getting a band- NOT second guessing ourselves anymore.

Doing ALL that we can for her.

>

> Cons of getting a band- The closest CT is two hours away &

it's costly in gas. The cost of the band (we would have to cover $600).

We live in the desert & it's going to get hot here soon & I

don't want her banded in the heat. Snuggles without the band are much

sweeter than snuggles with the band. I'm worried about a period of

adjustment as now she is 9 months.

>

>

> My main questions:

>

> 1) Do you think it's just cosmetic? And, if so, do you think it's

noticeable to those without the trained eye that we have? And, do you

see any assymetry in her face or just her head?

>

> 2) Would you go for a second band?

>

> Thank you in advance for your reply & support!

>

[Guest guest]

,

An osteopath does do physical manipulation of the head. Kathy can probably describe it better because she has seen it.

Can I ask why your husband is against this? Perhaps he just needs to be educated. You can get information about an osteopath at cranialacademy.org

I used to not believe in this sort of thing either, but I have seen results for things with my own eyes. My daughter's reflux was cured with chiro and I believe that her head has improved from chiro and CST as well.

, mom to , 2.5 years

STARband grad May 2009

Chiro and CST Re: Re: Second guessing our choice not to get a second band.

Kathy- I would say the forehead looks pretty good in real life. WE can notice it a bit but honestly what stands out to me more is the size of her left eye compared to her right. Mama has a high forehead anyway that I cover with bangs so I'm sure both my girls will end up doing that. :)thad- Nope, don't feel bad. I really value your opinion. And, like I said earlier....I tend to over analyze & second guess myself anyway. :)Kathy- Interesting. I know many on here talk of seeing specialists but I'm not quite sure what an osteopath does? Is it similar to chiropractic care? My husband is not on board with any sort of physical manipulation. I may look into this more, though! Thank you for the suggestion!Thanks again for all the help. I'm feeling more confident with our choice not to get a second band.

On Sun, Mar 14, 2010 at 11:35 PM, Kathy Lora Jensen <kathylorajensen@...> wrote:

Hi,Have you tried an osteopath? We took to a top notched osteopath and it helped. I think there are some things that an osteopath can help with that a helmet won't, and vice-versa. Our head mold is filled in with white plaster where they wanted growth, so it is not that useful for comparisons. I look at the contours from our head scans. Unfortunately, I don't see any measurable change in forehead asymmetry. 's forehead was very mild to begin with, so maybe it was too mild for the helmet to help with. It is the back where was bad and there has been improvement in this area.Maybe, you can try talking with CT about the upside down triangle look. I would also try showing an osteopath or other alternative therapists. Maybe, someone can provide some guidance. CT told us they would do a band, but then it turned out they could not. They said the deciding factor was 's head shape. They told us there would be a danger of a Doc band making 's head worse. Since then, has improved in his old Starband. ly, I feel more comfortable with a Starband and a qualified ortho than a Doc band, but many people choose CT.Good luck,Kathy, mom to , 21.5 months, plagio treated since 12 months

Me wrote:

Thank you all for replying to me! It surprises me that you all don't think she was bad to begin with. We were told that she was moderate to severe. Huh. Interesting. Thad...yes, you are right. The first helmet seemed to really correct the flat spots on the sides of the back of her head (mostly the right side, the left was the worst but it was improved as well) but not so much the forehead asymmetry. There was SOME forehead improvement but not a ton. CT said that a second band probably wouldn't improve her forehead much anyway which is one of the reasons we opted NOT to go with a second. I do hope that the forehead 'bump' does straighten out.Kath...yes, I suppose it did for sure prevent it from getting worse. Did you put your band on the head mold to see the improvement? Ours did show a bit of improvement on the left (meaning, the left side grew a bit while the right was supposed to have stayed the same) so I know we got SOME improvement but no, not a ton. Kathy...thank you. Yes, CT confirmed at our exit appointment that they would do a second band & that our insurance would cover the same amount as the first time. So, I guess that is a positive here if we decide to go with another. I do think you are right that there is no harm in going to another appointment at CT for some measurements....yes, the one thing I didn't like about CT was that they did hand measurements. I so wish they did digital like the others. I do hope that her head continues to grow taller & naturally round out. The spot that bothers me the most is that upside down triangle look. I DO feel that it was always kind of there but I ALSO feel it looks worse now than before...even than back in December. I guess I have gone from being unsure about doing another band to feeling sick that we even did the first. As a mom (Macy is my second child) I tend to over analyze & second guess my decisions in general. But, this just seems to weigh so heavily on me. I just don't feel peace with any decision when it has come to her band. And, my husband is a great dad but he's very much hands-off when it comes to decisions such as this. He says he will support me with whatever I decide. This makes it hard for me because the decision & therefore whatever consequences fall squarely on me. Thank you for reading & letting me vent.>> I'm thinking we should have gone with a second band.> > Would like opinions on if you would or not (photos in MACY LYNNE album in photo section).> > Background...> > Moderate-Severe Plagio (I believe that she was a 15, maybe) due to torticollis> > Cranial Tech DOC BAND for 3 months (4 months to 6 months)> > At end of treatment she measured a 5 (I believe, it may have been a 6)> > The clinicians in the CT office were divided on their opinions if we should get a second band. The office manager was leaning towards a yes, the clinician was leaning towards a no. We discussed for an hour & decided not to.> > She is now 9 months old.> > Pros of getting a band- NOT second guessing ourselves anymore. Doing ALL that we can for her.> > Cons of getting a band- The closest CT is two hours away & it's costly in gas. The cost of the band (we would have to cover $600). We live in the desert & it's going to get hot here soon & I don't want her banded in the heat. Snuggles without the band are much sweeter than snuggles with the band. I'm worried about a period of adjustment as now she is 9 months.> > > My main questions:> > 1) Do you think it's just cosmetic? And, if so, do you think it's noticeable to those without the trained eye that we have? And, do you see any assymetry in her face or just her head? > > 2) Would you go for a second band?> > Thank you in advance for your reply & support! >