Plagiocephaly (Flat Head Syndrome)
Flat head syndrome / plagiocephaly treatment Brisbane
Plagiocephaly in Infants, Brisbane - what is it, ways of treatment and how Tan Chiro Can help
Need to speak to an expert about your child’s plagiocephaly?
What is Deformational Plagiocephaly?
Deformational plagiocephaly occurs when a flat spot forms on the back or side of a baby’s head.
It’s a common disorder affecting infants & young children & occurs when a baby spends too much time sleeping on one side compared to the other. It happens because newborn skull bones are soft & flexible. The occipital bone is normally affected. It also more commonly affects twins.
Deformational plagiocephaly can be graded as mild, moderate or severe.
It normally improves very quickly as soon as infants start sleeping on their tummies or learn to roll. More severe cases may not resolve by themselves & may need treatment.
How does flat head syndrome affect babies/infants?
Deformational plagiocephaly is normally associated with cosmetic issues and significant cases require correction to enable symmetrical development of facial features like eyes, jaws and ears.
Deformational plagiocephaly was previously thought to not have any developmental consequences and that children will simply grow out of it.
Recent studies however have found that 33-40% of primary school-aged children who had deformational plagiocephaly as infants had learning difficulties.
Understanding of the neurodevelopmental effects of deformational plagiocephaly is still much needed.
Plagiocephaly treatment: how Tan Chiro can help
Chiropractors with additional post-graduate training in paediatrics play a role in identifying deformational plagiocephaly and are trained to manage it appropriately.
Managing Restricted / Tight Neck
Chiropractors are highly trained in assessing for restriction in spinal joints (it’s the main thing we do all day, every day!)
Infants & young children are also not little adults when it comes to anatomy, so treatment pressure & techniques will be modified according to age, size & a child’s health requirements.
Treatment will only be given if appropriate.
Positional Advice
Management of deformational plagiocephaly is directed at encouraging movements especially to the side that is opposite to the side of flattening.
These may include:
Stretches
Visual & auditory cues
Positional strategies for feeding, sleeping
Methods to encourage tummy time
Muscular stretching
Some cases of deformational plagiocephaly may be due to torticollis from a contracture of the SCM (sternocleidomastoid).
The muscle can be tight from a tumour or a muscular nodule.
Chiropractors palpate the presence or absence of a mass. Referral for ultrasound may be needed.
Management of muscular torticollis include stretching & exercises that can be performed at home.
Helmet Therapy
More severe cases may need helmet therapy. It’s usually recommended for infants between 6-7 months of age & is often used in more severe cases.
The recommendation of a helmet is normally done by an experienced orthotists, which
Co-management with Other Health Practitioners
A small number of cases may be pathological. Therefore it’s essential to work hand in hand with other health practitioners in managing paediatric deformational plagiocephaly. We may need to refer to other practitioners and the list may include:
GPs
Paediatricians
Physiotherapists
Speech Pathologists
Surgeons
Orthotists
Is spinal manipulation safe?
A 2015 systematic review states that “serious adverse events in infants & children receiving chiropractic, osteopathic, physiotherapy or manual therapy” (1).
Whilst there are no deaths recorded in research associated with chiropractic care, it is important to perform a thorough examination to exclude any anatomical or neurologic before performing any manual therapy.
Chiropractors are university-trained health professionals and undergo 5 years of education before sitting a rigorous clinical exit exam to qualify as a practising practitioner.
Chiropractic examination techniques used in infants & young children are age-appropriate and different to techniques used in adults.
Various factors taken into consideration before treatment include age, size & a child’s health status.
Before any treatment is done on your child, Dr Jace will go through a thorough assessment.
Todd AJ, Carroll MT, Robinson A, Mitchell EKL. Adverse Events Due to Chiropractic and Other Manual Therapies for Infants and Children: A Review of the Literature. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2015 Nov-Dec;38(9):699-712. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2014.09.008. Epub 2014 Oct 30. PMID: 25439034
Keil, BG. & Fludder, CJ (Committee on Deformational Plagiocephaly) “Chiropractic Evidence-Based Management of Deformational Plagiocephaly”. Endorsed by the Australian College of Chiropractic Paediatrics
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