Re: Trouble at Cranial Tech

[Guest guest]

Something to keep in mind....they measure head growth at the top/temple area of

the head (only one area), but the lower part of the head is often the hardest to

correct (as far as making a difference in facial and ear asymmetry) and so there

might be substantial growth at the top of the head that might not be reflected

proportionately at the bottom (either in measurement or appearance of

asymmetry). For older babies in particular, there may be growth in head

circumference, but that does not mean that the flat spot has rounded out

(because the skull is thicker/harder and harder to mold). It could just mean

they're head has grown but is still the same uneven shape and therefore have

little to no correction. (Or like in my son's case, he did grow and there was

correction, it was just not evenly proportioned because he was older. The edges

of the flat spot rounded out or softened so that the flat spot is a little

smaller, but it's still there).

The strength of the band does breakdown after about 16 weeks. It doesn't hurt to

keep the band on longer than that (unless it's too small), but it won't

necessarily help either. CT's perspective is that it isn't doing anything

positive at that point but keeping the head warm, and so it's pointless to keep

wearing it. Also, in most cases, there is no more foam to shave out by the end

of 16 weeks, so again, it's not really doing anything and in that instance,

could restrict growth assuming the baby is still growing rapidly (a too-small

band can cause the head to grow upward out of the hole on top of the band, so

it's definitely better to get a new one at that point if maximum correction has

not been achieved).

Hope that helps some.

Jake-3 (DOCBand Grad 9/08)

> > >

> > > It seems like everyone loves their CT experience, but I have to say I'm

disturbed by a few things. My child is 11 months, in the band for 9 weeks for

plagio. She has torticollis which we spotted right away and has been in PT since

7 weeks old. I saw the flat spot develop and asked drs, pt, etc., about

helmeting at 3-4 months and was told not to worry about it. Finally got one at 9

months. Familiar story.

> > >

> > > We've seen some rounding out in the flat spot in the back and filling out

in the front on the other side. My concern is really about the skull base

asymmetry because if the place where the sternocleidomastoid muscles attach is

not the same, I can't see how they'll ever be equal in length, strength, and

flexibility. I think the bad advise had us miss the boat on this. We'll never

get the ears in line so the torticollis will always be a problem even if

improved. Maybe that sounds fatalistic, but I've been dragging this baby to a

reputable PT twice a week and having our own torture sessions at home 4-5 times

a day for 9 months. I'm a bit fed up, but won't finish PT for another 6 months

at least.

> > >

> > > Anyway, it's not CTs fault the helmets won't correct much skull base asym

if you don't get them early. My problem with CT is that from the start I felt

like the helmet didn't hold on the high point over/behind her left ear. I'd ask

and the tech would talk in circles around the question. In the last 2-3 appts as

growth has slowed I asked if they really needed to shave the foam every visit.

What if she hadn't grown in the 2 weeks? The fit is getting worse, becoming more

tilted and rotating more because she hadn't yet grown into the space put there

in the previous adjustment. Again, the tech talked in circles. She said what if

there's a growth spurt in the coming 2 weeks. There needs to be room for it. I

said there already is room from the previous adjustment. This went around and

around. Ultimately it seems that no matter what you ask/say CT techs will never

admit there is any kind of a problem.

> > >

> > > So, maybe that's my question. Has anyone had an experience where CT said

there was a problem with the helmet they made? Do they shave foam every single

time with or without growth between appointments? Every time we go the tech

looks at her head and claims to see rounding since the last appointment. They

see many, many kids, each for a few minutes. I don't believe she remembers my

kid's head well enough to see such minute changes every 2 weeks. I think it's

just their standard scripted line to parents.

> > >

> > > To make a long rambling story longer (sorry), the tech now wants us to buy

a second helmet already. This is really my husbands fault, but the tech jumped

all over the chance to upsell us. We were told she'd use the helmet probably for

3-4 months depending on growth. We have not had any growth spurts so I don't see

how she could be growing out of this one early. Nonetheless, when I was saying

it wasn't fitting as well and she hadn't grown into the space already made in

it, the tech said they lose strength on the holding points. My husband asked if

that meant we needed a new helmet. I want to know why it would be losing

effectiveness in less than 2 months when it was sold to us as lasting twice this

long?

> > >

> > > I think she will need another helmet which we would have to pay for out of

pocket, but I want to get full use out of both. Would you schedule a DSi in 2

weeks so we'd get a new helmet in about 4 after only 13 weeks or less in the

band? Would you push it off for 4 weeks so we'd get about 15 weeks in it? Or

would it be best to get a new band as early as possible because they are most

effective in the beginning?

> > >

> > > Has anyone else felt like CT is just a factory with techs trained to do

and say the same thing for every baby? Has anyone switched from a DOCband to

Starband or some other active helmet?

> > >

> > > If anyone is till reading this far I thank you for that and for any

response you may be able to offer.

> > >

> >

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