Re: Hangar vs. DOC Band vs. Starband

[Guest guest]

It's different for everyone - some see specialists, but some are able to get the script from the pediatrician.

You can search thru old messages to see if any of our locations have been talked about in the past.

Jen

Mom to Luli - 4 yrs old

Torticollis, Plagio, Syringomyelia

Hangar vs. DOC Band vs. Starband

Hi all. I am new to this group. We live in Norther N.J. and our son who is 6 mos old was just diagnosed with plagiocephaly. We were referred to Cranial Technologies in Paramus for the DOC band. We went to that appointment and liked them. But we have an appointment with Hanger in Edison and one at Helen for the starband coming up. Hanger is in network with Blue Cross but the others are not.

We obviously want to do what is best for him but if they are all the same I would drive to Edison. Has anyone used Hanger in Edison and was the experience and the results good?

Also do most patients see a pediatric neurosurgeon or cranial expert first as we are going on the advice of our pediatrician only.

Thanks so much.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I'm in NJ too and go to Cranial Technologies in Paramus and I also checked out

the Hanger location in Edison (only one in NJ that does helmets). My insurance

(United HealthCare) would have covered the Hanger band and he would have needed

only ONE band. However the orthotist there told me the band was a passive one

and my research showed that active helmets were better for babies with

brachycephaly.

Go to both Hanger and Star and go with your gut.

And I never saw a pediatric neurosurgeon—we just went on the advice of my

pediatrician (at my instigation).

Regards,

Robyn

>

> It's different for everyone - some see specialists, but some are able to get

the script from the pediatrician.

> You can search thru old messages to see if any of our locations have been

talked about in the past.

>

>

> Jen

> Mom to Luli - 4 yrs old

> Torticollis, Plagio, Syringomyelia

>

>

>

> Hangar vs. DOC Band vs. Starband

>

>

>

>

>

> Hi all. I am new to this group. We live in Norther N.J. and our son who is 6

mos old was just diagnosed with plagiocephaly. We were referred to Cranial

Technologies in Paramus for the DOC band. We went to that appointment and liked

them. But we have an appointment with Hanger in Edison and one at Helen

for the starband coming up. Hanger is in network with Blue Cross but the others

are not.

>

> We obviously want to do what is best for him but if they are all the same I

would drive to Edison. Has anyone used Hanger in Edison and was the experience

and the results good?

>

> Also do most patients see a pediatric neurosurgeon or cranial expert first as

we are going on the advice of our pediatrician only.

>

> Thanks so much.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

If this ortho at Hanger told you that the band is passive, then he probably doesn't know his stuff. Hanger bands work just like STARband and Doc bands. According to their website, they have foam that gets shaved out and have areas that hold holding points. That is an active band.

Maybe this location uses another brand of band other than their own brand? Or maybe it was someone who doesn't usually do the bands. I don't know, but all the moms with Hanger bands can relax because you have put your baby in an active band.

Hangar vs. DOC Band vs. Starband> > > > > > Hi all. I am new to this group. We live in Norther N.J. and our son who is 6 mos old was just diagnosed with plagiocephaly. We were referred to Cranial Technologies in Paramus for the DOC band. We went to that appointment and liked them. But we have an appointment with Hanger in Edison and one at Helen for the starband coming up. Hanger is in network with Blue Cross but the others are not. > > We obviously want to do what is best for him but if they are all the same I would drive to Edison. Has anyone used Hanger in Edison and was the experience and the results good?> > Also do most patients see a pediatric neurosurgeon or cranial expert first as we are going on the advice of our pediatrician only.> > Thanks so much.> > >

[Guest guest]

,

You could be right, that he didn't know his stuff. But I specifically asked

about the type of band and if it uses mild pressure. The orthotist I spoke to

told me that the baby's head just grows into the space provided by the Hanger

helmet. So I went with the DOC Band (now on band #2).

Robyn

> >

> > It's different for everyone - some see specialists, but some are able to get

the script from the pediatrician.

> > You can search thru old messages to see if any of our locations have been

talked about in the past.

> >

> >

> > Jen

> > Mom to Luli - 4 yrs old

> > Torticollis, Plagio, Syringomyelia

> >

> >

> >

> > Hangar vs. DOC Band vs. Starband

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > Hi all. I am new to this group. We live in Norther N.J. and our son who is 6

mos old was just diagnosed with plagiocephaly. We were referred to Cranial

Technologies in Paramus for the DOC band. We went to that appointment and liked

them. But we have an appointment with Hanger in Edison and one at Helen

for the starband coming up. Hanger is in network with Blue Cross but the others

are not.

> >

> > We obviously want to do what is best for him but if they are all the same I

would drive to Edison. Has anyone used Hanger in Edison and was the experience

and the results good?

> >

> > Also do most patients see a pediatric neurosurgeon or cranial expert first

as we are going on the advice of our pediatrician only.

> >

> > Thanks so much.

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

As elucidated in my monumental post, " Toward a new paradigm in

describing the therapeutic activity of helmets, " I suspect that the

flexion of angles is the true difference between " active " and

" passive " helmets, rather than any material quality, or even the

initial symmetry. Ergo, the reason we continue to hear of Hanger and

STARband orthotists who describe their products as passive, despite

contradictory marketing, is that they've never read my theory.

If an orthotist gets all their patients referred at 4-6 months, they

can probably build quite an impressive track record just with the

consistent application of inappropriately loose helmets, even though

similar results might have been achieved with a less expensive, off-

the-shelf product. (I sometimes think I could have done as well for

Clara by sticking a sand pail on her head, if only I knew at 4 months

what I know now!) So, " experience " might not cut it, either.

*Timing* is the pediatrician's responsibility; the orthotist has to

provide good *technique*. The parental quality required is

*tenacity*.

I've worked closely with our orthotist on technique. He started out

in the " passive " school, but I think I've brought him around. Gotta

learn somehow...

--

Thad Launderville

Montpelier, VT

Clara age 23 months, in STARband ~7 months

On Mar 15, 2010, at 2:50 PM, romantykrobyn wrote:

> ,

>

> You could be right, that he didn't know his stuff. But I

> specifically asked about the type of band and if it uses mild

> pressure. The orthotist I spoke to told me that the baby's head

> just grows into the space provided by the Hanger helmet. So I went

> with the DOC Band (now on band #2).

>

> Robyn

>

>

>>

>> If this ortho at Hanger told you that the band is passive, then he

>> probably doesn't know his stuff. Hanger bands work just like

>> STARband and Doc bands. According to their website, they have foam

>> that gets shaved out and have areas that hold holding points. That

>> is an active band.

[Guest guest]

Sorry for the delay in my reply. Thanks for responding. I have since brought

our son to a pediatric neurosurgeon and he did not think that he needed the

band. Of course, the second opinion I went for today thought the opposite. So

now we are at a crossroads again. I have been hearing that a lot of people need

a second band from Cranial Technologies. I wonder why. Did you also check out

Cranial Solutions (I think) in town? I think that they do the starband

there.

> >

> > It's different for everyone - some see specialists, but some are able to get

the script from the pediatrician.

> > You can search thru old messages to see if any of our locations have been

talked about in the past.

> >

> >

> > Jen

> > Mom to Luli - 4 yrs old

> > Torticollis, Plagio, Syringomyelia

> >

> >

> >

> > Hangar vs. DOC Band vs. Starband

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > Hi all. I am new to this group. We live in Norther N.J. and our son who is

6 mos old was just diagnosed with plagiocephaly. We were referred to Cranial

Technologies in Paramus for the DOC band. We went to that appointment and liked

them. But we have an appointment with Hanger in Edison and one at Helen

for the starband coming up. Hanger is in network with Blue Cross but the others

are not.

> >

> > We obviously want to do what is best for him but if they are all the same I

would drive to Edison. Has anyone used Hanger in Edison and was the experience

and the results good?

> >

> > Also do most patients see a pediatric neurosurgeon or cranial expert first

as we are going on the advice of our pediatrician only.

> >

> > Thanks so much.

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Most neurosugeons are against bands so that doesn't surprise me. What kind of specialist did you see? Yes, if seems to be fairly common for babies to need a second band from CT and not with the Hanger or Starbands. If you want to avoid a second band and can get a good recommendation regarding the Starband location, you could go with them. However, be aware that you will want that recommendation for the specific location that you will be going to.

Hopefully, someone will have experience and will answer your questions. If not, then go for the consult and ask lots of questions until you are decided that the place knows what they are doing.

, mom to , 2.5 years

STARband grad May 2009 Hangar vs. DOC Band vs. Starband> > > > > > > > > > > > Hi all. I am new to this group. We live in Norther N.J. and our son who is 6 mos old was just diagnosed with plagiocephaly. We were referred to Cranial Technologies in Paramus for the DOC band. We went to that appointment and liked them. But we have an appointment with Hanger in Edison and one at Helen for the starband coming up. Hanger is in network with Blue Cross but the others are not. > > > > We obviously want to do what is best for him but if they are all the same I would drive to Edison. Has anyone used Hanger in Edison and was the experience and the results good?> > > > Also do most patients see a pediatric neurosurgeon or cranial expert first as we are going on the advice of our pediatrician only.> > > > Thanks so much.> > > > > >>

[Guest guest]

Hi Folks,

We saw a very *fancy* ped neurosurgeon at Stanford and my DH reminded me that in

their eyes kids don't " need " bands...b/c all they are concerned about is the

brain's function and health...in our same visit we also saw a ped plastic

surgeon and they both recommended the band to accelerate the process and ensure

proper shape.

Hope that helps!!!

> > >

> > > It's different for everyone - some see specialists, but some are able to

get the script from the pediatrician.

> > > You can search thru old messages to see if any of our locations have been

talked about in the past.

> > >

> > >

> > > Jen

> > > Mom to Luli - 4 yrs old

> > > Torticollis, Plagio, Syringomyelia

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Hangar vs. DOC Band vs. Starband

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Hi all. I am new to this group. We live in Norther N.J. and our son who is

6 mos old was just diagnosed with plagiocephaly. We were referred to Cranial

Technologies in Paramus for the DOC band. We went to that appointment and liked

them. But we have an appointment with Hanger in Edison and one at Helen

for the starband coming up. Hanger is in network with Blue Cross but the others

are not.

> > >

> > > We obviously want to do what is best for him but if they are all the same

I would drive to Edison. Has anyone used Hanger in Edison and was the experience

and the results good?

> > >

> > > Also do most patients see a pediatric neurosurgeon or cranial expert first

as we are going on the advice of our pediatrician only.

> > >

> > > Thanks so much.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi. We have an appt with a craniofacial specialist next week and I have a

feeling that he will recommend a band. I am pretty sure that we will get one

regardless but now I just need to figure out which one.

Thanks for your help.

> > > >

> > > > It's different for everyone - some see specialists, but some are able to

get the script from the pediatrician.

> > > > You can search thru old messages to see if any of our locations have

been talked about in the past.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Jen

> > > > Mom to Luli - 4 yrs old

> > > > Torticollis, Plagio, Syringomyelia

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Hangar vs. DOC Band vs. Starband

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Hi all. I am new to this group. We live in Norther N.J. and our son who

is 6 mos old was just diagnosed with plagiocephaly. We were referred to Cranial

Technologies in Paramus for the DOC band. We went to that appointment and liked

them. But we have an appointment with Hanger in Edison and one at Helen

for the starband coming up. Hanger is in network with Blue Cross but the others

are not.

> > > >

> > > > We obviously want to do what is best for him but if they are all the

same I would drive to Edison. Has anyone used Hanger in Edison and was the

experience and the results good?

> > > >

> > > > Also do most patients see a pediatric neurosurgeon or cranial expert

first as we are going on the advice of our pediatrician only.

> > > >

> > > > Thanks so much.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>