Re: Does osteopathy helps /Helmet ?

[Guest guest]

Hi

I am so happy I found this group, thank you all, it really helps.

When our physician told me that the helmet was the best option

rather than taking the risk of waiting mother nature to do the job,

I was already less anxious after all the information I read on the

internet.

Nicolas has been casted in a local prosthetics practice so I guess

it is not a DOCband or a STARband but a local one.

Do you know the differences and efficacy between the diferent types

of helmet ? Is ther any scientific publication on that topic?

I read the story somewhere in the database about helmet with poor

design, how scary! I hope I will not have such a problem but again

knowing it can happend will make me more vigilant.

For the casting process, it was really easy, quick and painless.

Nicolas is such an easy baby, he did not cry at all while he was

sitting on my lap. The kind of sock the guy put on his head was

already open for the face so it was less scary than what I have seen

on the internet where the face is covered. The bands with the wet

plaster were applied on his head covered by the sock. Few plaster

remained on his T-shirt, face or hair so no need for a bath in the

office.

I am lucky that I am living 4 blocks away from this office because

we have been told that the helmet must be adjusted several times per

weeks the first few weeks.

Concerning the osteopath I am convinced it will not help for the

shape of the head, but it might help for the torticollis and

relaxation of the muscles so I will try.

Take care

Anne (Nicolas'mom waiting for his helmet)

> > Hello everyone,

> >

> > I did not see my previous post( " New member " ), maybe I made a

> mistake

> > as it is the first time.

> >

> > Here is our story:

> > My son is 5 month old and has been diagnosed with

> > torticollis/plagiocephaly at 4 month. After 1 month of physical

> > therapy, his physician tell us that wearing a helmet would help

to

> > reshape his head faster. So we went this morming for the

casting.

> > the helmet should be ready in 2 weeks. Nicolas has a typical

> > plagiocephaly, with the back right side of the head having a

flat

> > spot and when seen from the top the skull looks rectangular. A

> > slight assymetry of the face with the right eye a little bit

bigger

> > than the left one.

> >

> > Someone just told me that an osteopath could help and even would

> > replace the need for the hemet. What do you think? is it worth

it

> to

> > try? I am very happy with the physical therapist comming home

twice

> > a week so what will be the additional benefits of an osteopath ?

> >

> > Thank you for sharing your experiences and advices

> >

> > Anne (Nicolas' Mom)

> > NY

[Guest guest]

> Nicolas has been casted in a local prosthetics practice so I guess

> it is not a DOCband or a STARband but a local one.

>

> Do you know the differences and efficacy between the diferent types

> of helmet ? Is ther any scientific publication on that topic?

>

> I read the story somewhere in the database about helmet with poor

> design, how scary! I hope I will not have such a problem but again

> knowing it can happend will make me more vigilant.

Hi Anne:

It is possible that Nicolas will be getting a STARband, we rec'd

Abby's STARband from our local prosthetic hospital as well.

STARbands are made by Orthomerica in FL, they simply make the band

from the cast the orthotist ships them, then a local orthotist treats

the child with their band. I didn't know Abby was getting a STARband

either, until about one month into her treatment.

It's also possible it is a locally made helmet. Locally made helmets

are normally considered " passive " . Passive means that the helmet

does not apply any type of pressure to the child's head like the

STARband or DOCband does. The pressures a STAR or DOCband applies

are very minimal and are not felt by the child at all. A passive

helmet simply leaves an empty spot in the helmet, which allows the

child's flat area to grow into, as well as keeping the baby off the

flat area while they are lying on their backs. Aggressive bands

apply very slight pressure to the non flat side of the child's head,

which helps push out the flat side as well as somewhat stunts the

growth on the non flat side.

Check out this site to compare the DOCband and the STARband:

http://www.plagiocephaly.org/support/compare.htm

There is a lot of valuable information regarding the 2 bands.

I wonder if the story you read about in the database about the helmet

with the poor design was my Abby? My daughter wore a STARband for 3

mos with no improvement.......this was a result of an untrained

orthotist...I'd hate to see any other family go thru what Abby & I

did....in the www.plagiocephaly.org page, there's also a good list of

questions to ask the Dr/orthotist. Check that out too.

I'm glad Nicolas handled the casting so well! It's pretty rare for

babies to handle castings so well, you're a lucky mommy!

Debbie Abby's mom DOCGrad

MI

[Guest guest]

Hi Debbie,

I got confused when I called our prosthetist, he said that the

helmet is made by a comapny called Hanger(same name as his office)

and that the band is FDA approved and similar to Docband and

Starband. He also confirmed it is actively applying pressure on the

head.

I am not convinced it is not what you called a locally made Helmet

and I would not have the same bad story you had!!!.I am sorry for

your Abby.

I went on the internet, found http://www.hanger.com/ , mentionning

their office in New York, but nothing about helmet for plagiocephaly.

I also asked Orthomerica if they have worked with him and they wrote

me back they have no record of my local protesthesit having used

STARband cranial remolding orthosis.

I know from my physician that he has experience of making helmet for

plagiocephaly (about 20/month) however I am still wondering if it is

the best option I had ???. I know it is too late now that the

casting was done.

Does anyone has tested the Hangerband ?

I feel guilty not to have checked before the casting. I hope it will

work.

Kind regards

Anne, Nicolas' Mom waiting for the helmet

> Hi Anne:

> It is possible that Nicolas will be getting a STARband, we rec'd

> Abby's STARband from our local prosthetic hospital as well.

> STARbands are made by Orthomerica in FL, they simply make the band

> from the cast the orthotist ships them, then a local orthotist

treats

> the child with their band. I didn't know Abby was getting a

STARband

> either, until about one month into her treatment.

> It's also possible it is a locally made helmet. Locally made

helmets

> are normally considered " passive " . Passive means that the helmet

> does not apply any type of pressure to the child's head like the

> STARband or DOCband does. The pressures a STAR or DOCband applies

> are very minimal and are not felt by the child at all. A passive

> helmet simply leaves an empty spot in the helmet, which allows the

> child's flat area to grow into, as well as keeping the baby off

the

> flat area while they are lying on their backs. Aggressive bands

> apply very slight pressure to the non flat side of the child's

head,

> which helps push out the flat side as well as somewhat stunts the

> growth on the non flat side.

> Check out this site to compare the DOCband and the STARband:

> http://www.plagiocephaly.org/support/compare.htm

> There is a lot of valuable information regarding the 2 bands.

>

> I wonder if the story you read about in the database about the

helmet

> with the poor design was my Abby? My daughter wore a STARband for

3

> mos with no improvement.......this was a result of an untrained

> orthotist...I'd hate to see any other family go thru what Abby & I

> did....in the www.plagiocephaly.org page, there's also a good list

of

> questions to ask the Dr/orthotist. Check that out too.

>

> I'm glad Nicolas handled the casting so well! It's pretty rare

for

> babies to handle castings so well, you're a lucky mommy!

>

> Debbie Abby's mom DOCGrad

> MI

[Guest guest]

I know a couple of children had bands made by Hanger Orthotics on the

other plagiocephaly board. I hope no one minds me mentioning

its existence. I believe one of the families lived in Washington

state and traveled to Oregon (?) for the band. I'm not sure how they

are doing with them.

Candy, mom to (DOCband #1, 10/5/01, #2, 2/25/02)

land

> Hi Debbie,

>

> I got confused when I called our prosthetist, he said that the

> helmet is made by a comapny called Hanger(same name as his office)

> and that the band is FDA approved and similar to Docband and

> Starband. He also confirmed it is actively applying pressure on the

> head.

>

> I am not convinced it is not what you called a locally made Helmet

> and I would not have the same bad story you had!!!.I am sorry for

> your Abby.

>

> I went on the internet, found http://www.hanger.com/ , mentionning

> their office in New York, but nothing about helmet for

plagiocephaly.

>

> I also asked Orthomerica if they have worked with him and they

wrote

> me back they have no record of my local protesthesit having used

> STARband cranial remolding orthosis.

>

> I know from my physician that he has experience of making helmet

for

> plagiocephaly (about 20/month) however I am still wondering if it

is

> the best option I had ???. I know it is too late now that the

> casting was done.

>

> Does anyone has tested the Hangerband ?

>

> I feel guilty not to have checked before the casting. I hope it

will

> work.

>

> Kind regards

> Anne, Nicolas' Mom waiting for the helmet

>

> > Hi Anne:

> > It is possible that Nicolas will be getting a STARband, we rec'd

> > Abby's STARband from our local prosthetic hospital as well.

> > STARbands are made by Orthomerica in FL, they simply make the

band

> > from the cast the orthotist ships them, then a local orthotist

> treats

> > the child with their band. I didn't know Abby was getting a

> STARband

> > either, until about one month into her treatment.

> > It's also possible it is a locally made helmet. Locally made

> helmets

> > are normally considered " passive " . Passive means that the helmet

> > does not apply any type of pressure to the child's head like the

> > STARband or DOCband does. The pressures a STAR or DOCband

applies

> > are very minimal and are not felt by the child at all. A

passive

> > helmet simply leaves an empty spot in the helmet, which allows

the

> > child's flat area to grow into, as well as keeping the baby off

> the

> > flat area while they are lying on their backs. Aggressive bands

> > apply very slight pressure to the non flat side of the child's

> head,

> > which helps push out the flat side as well as somewhat stunts the

> > growth on the non flat side.

> > Check out this site to compare the DOCband and the STARband:

> > http://www.plagiocephaly.org/support/compare.htm

> > There is a lot of valuable information regarding the 2 bands.

> >

> > I wonder if the story you read about in the database about the

> helmet

> > with the poor design was my Abby? My daughter wore a STARband

for

> 3

> > mos with no improvement.......this was a result of an untrained

> > orthotist...I'd hate to see any other family go thru what Abby &

I

> > did....in the www.plagiocephaly.org page, there's also a good

list

> of

> > questions to ask the Dr/orthotist. Check that out too.

> >

> > I'm glad Nicolas handled the casting so well! It's pretty rare

> for

> > babies to handle castings so well, you're a lucky mommy!

> >

> > Debbie Abby's mom DOCGrad

> > MI

[Guest guest]

Anne:

I went to the FDA site and did a search for "Hanger, cranial orthosis" and came up with these results. The number in blue (below) is their FDA clearance number. If you're still unsure, you could ask to compare this number with them.

Hope that helps!

Kendra

510(k)s Final Decisions Rendered for November 2001... k) STATEMENT DEVICE: LERMAN & SON CRANIAL ORTHOSIS HELMET LERMAN & SON 510(k ... k) NO:K012771(TRADITIONAL) ATTN: MARTIN HANGER PHONE NO : 497 704 92910 ...

DEVICE: LERMAN & SON CRANIAL ORTHOSIS HELMETLERMAN & SON 510(k) NO: K012830(TRADITIONAL)ATTN: MAX LERMAN PHONE NO : 310-659-22908710 WILSHIRE BLVD. SE DECISION MADE: 20-NOV-01BEVERLY HILLS, CA 90211 510(k) SUMMARY AVAILABLE FROM FDA

Re: Does osteopathy helps /Helmet ?

Hi Debbie,I got confused when I called our prosthetist, he said that the helmet is made by a comapny called Hanger(same name as his office) and that the band is FDA approved and similar to Docband and Starband. He also confirmed it is actively applying pressure on the head.I am not convinced it is not what you called a locally made Helmet and I would not have the same bad story you had!!!.I am sorry for your Abby.I went on the internet, found http://www.hanger.com/ , mentionning their office in New York, but nothing about helmet for plagiocephaly.I also asked Orthomerica if they have worked with him and they wrote me back they have no record of my local protesthesit having used STARband cranial remolding orthosis.I know from my physician that he has experience of making helmet for plagiocephaly (about 20/month) however I am still wondering if it is the best option I had ???. I know it is too late now that the casting was done.Does anyone has tested the Hangerband ?I feel guilty not to have checked before the casting. I hope it will work.Kind regardsAnne, Nicolas' Mom waiting for the helmet> Hi Anne:> It is possible that Nicolas will be getting a STARband, we rec'd > Abby's STARband from our local prosthetic hospital as well. > STARbands are made by Orthomerica in FL, they simply make the band > from the cast the orthotist ships them, then a local orthotist treats > the child with their band. I didn't know Abby was getting a STARband > either, until about one month into her treatment.> It's also possible it is a locally made helmet. Locally made helmets > are normally considered "passive". Passive means that the helmet > does not apply any type of pressure to the child's head like the > STARband or DOCband does. The pressures a STAR or DOCband applies > are very minimal and are not felt by the child at all. A passive > helmet simply leaves an empty spot in the helmet, which allows the > child's flat area to grow into, as well as keeping the baby off the > flat area while they are lying on their backs. Aggressive bands > apply very slight pressure to the non flat side of the child's head, > which helps push out the flat side as well as somewhat stunts the > growth on the non flat side.> Check out this site to compare the DOCband and the STARband:> http://www.plagiocephaly.org/support/compare.htm> There is a lot of valuable information regarding the 2 bands.> > I wonder if the story you read about in the database about the helmet > with the poor design was my Abby? My daughter wore a STARband for 3 > mos with no improvement.......this was a result of an untrained > orthotist...I'd hate to see any other family go thru what Abby & I > did....in the www.plagiocephaly.org page, there's also a good list of > questions to ask the Dr/orthotist. Check that out too.> > I'm glad Nicolas handled the casting so well! It's pretty rare for > babies to handle castings so well, you're a lucky mommy!> > Debbie Abby's mom DOCGrad> MIFor more plagio info

[Guest guest]

Anne,

Don't feel bad - we didn't know there were options either when we got

banded! The clinic that made the helmet that wore was the only one of

its kind in Oklahoma. If we had wanted anything else we would have had to

travel out of state and that was not an option at the time. I've heard of

Hanger Prothestics and many people in the group have gone through them to get

their helmets. If your ortho has had a lot of experience and has seen good

results with his product then you should be ok. If you are not sure of his

experience give him a call and arrange to come in and talk some more with

him. Ask him how many helmet he has done and what kind of success he has had.

Ask if he has some before/after pictures or anyone you can call for a

reference. Ask him if his product is similar to the STAR or the DOC and how

it differs - this will give you a good idea of whether or not he even know of

the other products out there. If he checks out well then you will probably

have good luck with his product.

If you have any doubts whatsoever after speaking with the ortho then it is

never too late to change your mind or at least check around to see what else

is available.

Good luck and hang in there. This is a tough time of reflection and doubt.

Marci (Mom to )

Oklahoma