Re: NOPCO Boston vs. Cranial Tech Connecticut/Dave

[Guest guest]

Hi Dave!

I just wanted to post to ask if you were aware of what Barb stated

in her earlier post that the NOPCO Starband is modified to the point

of no longer being an " active " band, but is a passive band there?

This was a new learning for me; I assumed that the Starband was

always an active band no matter where it was! Please disregard if

you were already aware of their modification of the Starband. Would

you refresh my memory of how old Gracie is?

Thank you for providing feedback on how your experience is going at

the NOPCO facility so far,

Christie (Mom to Repo'd Remy)

>

> > Hello all.

> >

> > My daughter, , is 4 1/2 months old.  She has been

diagnosed

> > with plagio and tort.  We have spent the last two weeks running

> > around in an effort to try to decide whether to band her. 

During

> > that time we have also started PT and cranial osteopathic

> > manipulation.  Yesterday, we finished our consultations with a

visit

> > to Boston Children's where the neurosurgoen has ruled out

cranio.

> >

> > We have all but decided to band her and now we are at the all

> > important decision of which orthotist to use.  We have met with

our

> > local orthotist, NOPCO at Boston Children's and Cranial Tech in

CT. 

> > We liked the local orthotist but feel that he just doesn't do

enough

> > helmets for us to feel comfortable.  So that leaves NOPCO and

Cranial

> > Tech.

> >

> > We would appreciate any and all input on your experiences with

these

> > two orthotists--good or bad!!!

> >

> > When we finished up yesterday, I had expected that my gut would

just

> > lead me to pick one or the other.  Unfortunately, that just

didn't

> > happen.   These are the more basic differences between the two

as we

> > see it:

> >

> > NOPCO--Starbands (although used as passive bands)

> > we can expect adjustments every 4 weeks

> > estimated treatment time 2-3 months

> > although they do not specialize in just helmets, they must

treat a

> > lot of babies!

> > 2 hour drive each way

> >

> > Cranial Tech--Docbands are obviously active

> > weekly adjustments

> > estimated treatment time 6 to 8 weeks (or she will at least

outgrow

> > the band by then)

> > as we know, they are the helmet specialists

> > 3 1/2 hour drive each way

> >

> > I have to admit, the active bands scare me a bit.  I understand

that

> > some doctors feel strongly that no pressure should be placed on

an

> > infant's skull and that it is unnecessary for treatment.  I know

> > there has been at least one study showing that brain growth is

not

> > inhibited but still....

> >

> > Finally, I know that many of you have mentioned how subjective

the

> > measurements for asymmetry can be.  That was our experience. 

> > Yesterday, NOPCO measured at 8mm and the neurosurgeon

> > measured 10mm.  Cranial Tech measured her the week before at 15

mm. 

> > Perhaps some of my repo paid off over a week??  Who knows!

> >

> > Any thoughts on how to weigh this decision??  Help!

> >

> >

> > Best to all,

> > Barb and (4 1/2 months)--and hopefully repositioned

as we

> > speak!  I better go check!

> > Maine

> >

> >

> >

> > For more plagio info

[Guest guest]

Hi

I'm not sure, actually, but I can tell you how it was explained to me.

Inside the helmet is a lot of " padding, " except at the point that

lines up with her flatness. So the parts of her helmet that touch her

head sort of " pop out " the flat part, since there's no padding/pressure

there (and when I say pressure, I mean a very slight amount. I can

move her helmet around as she's wearing it, it's not tight like a

football helmet or anything). We go every three weeks for adjustments

(successive amounts of padding will be removed). I know this sounds

crazy, it only being 7 days, but I think she looks a little rounder

already!

She will be 12 months old on April 10. I can hardly believe it.

Things are going very well for us, so far. Thank goodness. I hope

this helps.

Dave

On Mar 17, 2004, at 12:16 AM, redlocks2003 wrote:

> Hi Dave!

>

> I just wanted to post to ask if you were aware of what Barb stated

> in her earlier post that the NOPCO Starband is modified to the point

> of no longer being an " active " band, but is a passive band there? 

> This was a new learning for me; I assumed that the Starband was

> always an active band no matter where it was!  Please disregard if

> you were already aware of their modification of the Starband.  Would

> you refresh my memory of how old Gracie is?

>

> Thank you for providing feedback on how your experience is going at

> the NOPCO facility so far,

>

> Christie (Mom to Repo'd Remy)

>

>

>

> >

> > > Hello all.

> > >

> > >  My daughter, , is 4 1/2 months old.  She has been

> diagnosed

> > >  with plagio and tort.  We have spent the last two weeks running

> > >  around in an effort to try to decide whether to band her. 

> During

> > >  that time we have also started PT and cranial osteopathic

> > >  manipulation.  Yesterday, we finished our consultations with a

> visit

> > >  to Boston Children's where the neurosurgoen has ruled out

> cranio.

> > >

> > >  We have all but decided to band her and now we are at the all

> > >  important decision of which orthotist to use.  We have met with

> our

> > >  local orthotist, NOPCO at Boston Children's and Cranial Tech in

> CT. 

> > >  We liked the local orthotist but feel that he just doesn't do

> enough

> > >  helmets for us to feel comfortable.  So that leaves NOPCO and

> Cranial

> > >  Tech.

> > >

> > >  We would appreciate any and all input on your experiences with

> these

> > >  two orthotists--good or bad!!!

> > >

> > >  When we finished up yesterday, I had expected that my gut would

> just

> > >  lead me to pick one or the other.  Unfortunately, that just

> didn't

> > >  happen.   These are the more basic differences between the two

> as we

> > >  see it:

> > >

> > >  NOPCO--Starbands (although used as passive bands)

> > >  we can expect adjustments every 4 weeks

> > >  estimated treatment time 2-3 months

> > >  although they do not specialize in just helmets, they must

> treat a

> > >  lot of babies!

> > >  2 hour drive each way

> > >

> > >  Cranial Tech--Docbands are obviously active

> > >  weekly adjustments

> > >  estimated treatment time 6 to 8 weeks (or she will at least

> outgrow

> > >  the band by then)

> > >  as we know, they are the helmet specialists

> > >  3 1/2 hour drive each way

> > >

> > >  I have to admit, the active bands scare me a bit.  I understand

> that

> > >  some doctors feel strongly that no pressure should be placed on

> an

> > >  infant's skull and that it is unnecessary for treatment.  I know

> > >  there has been at least one study showing that brain growth is

> not

> > >  inhibited but still....

> > >

> > >  Finally, I know that many of you have mentioned how subjective

> the

> > >  measurements for asymmetry can be.  That was our experience. 

> > >  Yesterday, NOPCO measured at 8mm and the neurosurgeon

> > >  measured 10mm.  Cranial Tech measured her the week before at 15

> mm. 

> > >  Perhaps some of my repo paid off over a week??  Who knows!

> > >

> > >  Any thoughts on how to weigh this decision??  Help!

> > >

> > >

> > >  Best to all,

> > >  Barb and (4 1/2 months)--and hopefully repositioned

> as we

> > >  speak!  I better go check!

> > >  Maine

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > For more plagio info

[Guest guest]

Hi Dave,

Did NOPCO also tell you they were using it as a passive band? I know

they told me they modify them, but they didn't say they modified

them to make them passive. I'm just curious given Gracie's older

age for a passive helmet, how long did they think she'll need to

wear it? Hopefully she'll get some good growth spurts for her

birthday !

> > >

> > > > Hello all.

> > > >

> > > >  My daughter, , is 4 1/2 months old.  She has been

> > diagnosed

> > > >  with plagio and tort.  We have spent the last two weeks

running

> > > >  around in an effort to try to decide whether to band her. 

> > During

> > > >  that time we have also started PT and cranial osteopathic

> > > >  manipulation.  Yesterday, we finished our consultations

with a

> > visit

> > > >  to Boston Children's where the neurosurgoen has ruled out

> > cranio.

> > > >

> > > >  We have all but decided to band her and now we are at the

all

> > > >  important decision of which orthotist to use.  We have met

with

> > our

> > > >  local orthotist, NOPCO at Boston Children's and Cranial

Tech in

> > CT. 

> > > >  We liked the local orthotist but feel that he just doesn't

do

> > enough

> > > >  helmets for us to feel comfortable.  So that leaves NOPCO

and

> > Cranial

> > > >  Tech.

> > > >

> > > >  We would appreciate any and all input on your experiences

with

> > these

> > > >  two orthotists--good or bad!!!

> > > >

> > > >  When we finished up yesterday, I had expected that my gut

would

> > just

> > > >  lead me to pick one or the other.  Unfortunately, that just

> > didn't

> > > >  happen.   These are the more basic differences between the

two

> > as we

> > > >  see it:

> > > >

> > > >  NOPCO--Starbands (although used as passive bands)

> > > >  we can expect adjustments every 4 weeks

> > > >  estimated treatment time 2-3 months

> > > >  although they do not specialize in just helmets, they must

> > treat a

> > > >  lot of babies!

> > > >  2 hour drive each way

> > > >

> > > >  Cranial Tech--Docbands are obviously active

> > > >  weekly adjustments

> > > >  estimated treatment time 6 to 8 weeks (or she will at least

> > outgrow

> > > >  the band by then)

> > > >  as we know, they are the helmet specialists

> > > >  3 1/2 hour drive each way

> > > >

> > > >  I have to admit, the active bands scare me a bit.  I

understand

> > that

> > > >  some doctors feel strongly that no pressure should be

placed on

> > an

> > > >  infant's skull and that it is unnecessary for treatment. 

I know

> > > >  there has been at least one study showing that brain

growth is

> > not

> > > >  inhibited but still....

> > > >

> > > >  Finally, I know that many of you have mentioned how

subjective

> > the

> > > >  measurements for asymmetry can be.  That was our

experience. 

> > > >  Yesterday, NOPCO measured at 8mm and the

neurosurgeon

> > > >  measured 10mm.  Cranial Tech measured her the week before

at 15

> > mm. 

> > > >  Perhaps some of my repo paid off over a week??  Who knows!

> > > >

> > > >  Any thoughts on how to weigh this decision??  Help!

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >  Best to all,

> > > >  Barb and (4 1/2 months)--and hopefully

repositioned

> > as we

> > > >  speak!  I better go check!

> > > >  Maine

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > For more plagio info

[Guest guest]

I don't remember hearing the words " passive " or " active " at all, so I

don't know. We were told she'd need it for approx. 5 months.

Dave

On Mar 17, 2004, at 11:13 AM, wrote:

> Hi Dave,

> Did NOPCO also tell you they were using it as a passive band? I know

> they told me they modify them, but they didn't say they modified

> them to make them passive.  I'm just curious given Gracie's older

> age for a passive helmet, how long did they think she'll need to

> wear it?  Hopefully she'll get some good growth spurts for her

> birthday !

>

>

>

> > >  >

> > >  > > Hello all.

> > >  > >

> > >  > >  My daughter, , is 4 1/2 months old.  She has been

> > >  diagnosed

> > >  > >  with plagio and tort.  We have spent the last two weeks

> running

> > >  > >  around in an effort to try to decide whether to band her. 

> > >  During

> > >  > >  that time we have also started PT and cranial osteopathic

> > >  > >  manipulation.  Yesterday, we finished our consultations

> with a

> > >  visit

> > >  > >  to Boston Children's where the neurosurgoen has ruled out

> > >  cranio.

> > >  > >

> > >  > >  We have all but decided to band her and now we are at the

> all

> > >  > >  important decision of which orthotist to use.  We have met

> with

> > >  our

> > >  > >  local orthotist, NOPCO at Boston Children's and Cranial

> Tech in

> > >  CT. 

> > >  > >  We liked the local orthotist but feel that he just doesn't

> do

> > >  enough

> > >  > >  helmets for us to feel comfortable.  So that leaves NOPCO

> and

> > >  Cranial

> > >  > >  Tech.

> > >  > >

> > >  > >  We would appreciate any and all input on your experiences

> with

> > >  these

> > >  > >  two orthotists--good or bad!!!

> > >  > >

> > >  > >  When we finished up yesterday, I had expected that my gut

> would

> > >  just

> > >  > >  lead me to pick one or the other.  Unfortunately, that just

> > >  didn't

> > >  > >  happen.   These are the more basic differences between the

> two

> > >  as we

> > >  > >  see it:

> > >  > >

> > >  > >  NOPCO--Starbands (although used as passive bands)

> > >  > >  we can expect adjustments every 4 weeks

> > >  > >  estimated treatment time 2-3 months

> > >  > >  although they do not specialize in just helmets, they must

> > >  treat a

> > >  > >  lot of babies!

> > >  > >  2 hour drive each way

> > >  > >

> > >  > >  Cranial Tech--Docbands are obviously active

> > >  > >  weekly adjustments

> > >  > >  estimated treatment time 6 to 8 weeks (or she will at least

> > >  outgrow

> > >  > >  the band by then)

> > >  > >  as we know, they are the helmet specialists

> > >  > >  3 1/2 hour drive each way

> > >  > >

> > >  > >  I have to admit, the active bands scare me a bit.  I

> understand

> > >  that

> > >  > >  some doctors feel strongly that no pressure should be

> placed on

> > >  an

> > >  > >  infant's skull and that it is unnecessary for treatment. 

> I know

> > >  > >  there has been at least one study showing that brain

> growth is

> > >  not

> > >  > >  inhibited but still....

> > >  > >

> > >  > >  Finally, I know that many of you have mentioned how

> subjective

> > >  the

> > >  > >  measurements for asymmetry can be.  That was our

> experience. 

> > >  > >  Yesterday, NOPCO measured at 8mm and the

> neurosurgeon

> > >  > >  measured 10mm.  Cranial Tech measured her the week before

> at 15

> > >  mm. 

> > >  > >  Perhaps some of my repo paid off over a week??  Who knows!

> > >  > >

> > >  > >  Any thoughts on how to weigh this decision??  Help!

> > >  > >

> > >  > >

> > >  > >  Best to all,

> > >  > >  Barb and (4 1/2 months)--and hopefully

> repositioned

> > >  as we

> > >  > >  speak!  I better go check!

> > >  > >  Maine

> > >  > >

> > >  > >

> > >  > >

> > >  > > For more plagio info