Re: hanger vs cranial tech

February 15, 2006

Kristi,

We were very pleased with both of our DOC Bands. I'm sure Jen will tell you she was impressed with her daughter's Hanger band too. It's really going to depend on the orthotist at Hanger. If the ortho is experienced and has proven success then you may also have a good experience there. CT has extensive training of all clinicians using the DOC Bands. They have to take refresher courses also.

Click here to get a good list of questions for the ortho.

Also check out the before and after pictures in the photo album section!

Mom to Dane (4 yo) and Cece (13 mo) DOC Grads

>> I am currently looking for an orthotist....Just by looking at the > websites, I am more impressed with cranial tech. There is a clinic > that is about an hour and a half from my house. I'm not sure how the > whole process works yet, but it looks like we will be making several > trips to the clinic, so this long-distance drive could get old very > fast! There is a hanger clinic that is only 30 minutes away from me. > I guess I'm just asking for opinions.....is cranial tech worth driving > that far, or would I be okay sticking with hanger?>

February 15, 2006

Kristi,

We were very pleased with both of our DOC Bands. I'm sure Jen will tell you she was impressed with her daughter's Hanger band too. It's really going to depend on the orthotist at Hanger. If the ortho is experienced and has proven success then you may also have a good experience there. CT has extensive training of all clinicians using the DOC Bands. They have to take refresher courses also.

Click here to get a good list of questions for the ortho.

Also check out the before and after pictures in the photo album section!

Mom to Dane (4 yo) and Cece (13 mo) DOC Grads

>> I am currently looking for an orthotist....Just by looking at the > websites, I am more impressed with cranial tech. There is a clinic > that is about an hour and a half from my house. I'm not sure how the > whole process works yet, but it looks like we will be making several > trips to the clinic, so this long-distance drive could get old very > fast! There is a hanger clinic that is only 30 minutes away from me. > I guess I'm just asking for opinions.....is cranial tech worth driving > that far, or would I be okay sticking with hanger?>

February 15, 2006

When we started looking into this, all I saw on the internet was

Cranial tech. The orthotist that had been referred to us was however

at a hanger facility. We have had nothing but good things to say.

The whole banding process itself was alot easier with the hanger

bands. No casting! That was huge in my opinion! They just did a

simple scan of his head while he sat in my lap. It made that first

visit a whole lot less traumatic for all of us.

I know that cranial tech is a great company but part of why they are

all you see on the internet is the amount of money they put into

marketing their product. Hanger is probably going to be a little

cheaper if you end up paying cash (since alot of insurance companies

don't pay for bands). Since we paid cash, we only had to pay $1500.

I'm sure there are good and bad experiences from all but I would

suggest looking into both. Good luck!

>

> I am currently looking for an orthotist....Just by looking at the

> websites, I am more impressed with cranial tech. There is a clinic

> that is about an hour and a half from my house. I'm not sure how

the

> whole process works yet, but it looks like we will be making several

> trips to the clinic, so this long-distance drive could get old very

> fast! There is a hanger clinic that is only 30 minutes away from

me.

> I guess I'm just asking for opinions.....is cranial tech worth

driving

> that far, or would I be okay sticking with hanger?

>

February 15, 2006

When we started looking into this, all I saw on the internet was

Cranial tech. The orthotist that had been referred to us was however

at a hanger facility. We have had nothing but good things to say.

The whole banding process itself was alot easier with the hanger

bands. No casting! That was huge in my opinion! They just did a

simple scan of his head while he sat in my lap. It made that first

visit a whole lot less traumatic for all of us.

I know that cranial tech is a great company but part of why they are

all you see on the internet is the amount of money they put into

marketing their product. Hanger is probably going to be a little

cheaper if you end up paying cash (since alot of insurance companies

don't pay for bands). Since we paid cash, we only had to pay $1500.

I'm sure there are good and bad experiences from all but I would

suggest looking into both. Good luck!

>

> I am currently looking for an orthotist....Just by looking at the

> websites, I am more impressed with cranial tech. There is a clinic

> that is about an hour and a half from my house. I'm not sure how

the

> whole process works yet, but it looks like we will be making several

> trips to the clinic, so this long-distance drive could get old very

> fast! There is a hanger clinic that is only 30 minutes away from

me.

> I guess I'm just asking for opinions.....is cranial tech worth

driving

> that far, or would I be okay sticking with hanger?

>

February 15, 2006

>

> I know that cranial tech is a great company but part of why they are

> all you see on the internet is the amount of money they put into

> marketing their product.

Some of it probably is because it's the only company with FDA clinical

trials also. This brings more exposure. They also only do bands so

that's why it'll pop up so much when you do a search.

February 15, 2006

>

> I know that cranial tech is a great company but part of why they are

> all you see on the internet is the amount of money they put into

> marketing their product.

Some of it probably is because it's the only company with FDA clinical

trials also. This brings more exposure. They also only do bands so

that's why it'll pop up so much when you do a search.

February 15, 2006

Hi,

Welcome to the group. I just want to second everything has

already told you. I too went to Cranial Tech, I traveled from NY to

NJ. There wasn't any experienced orthos in my area. Good luck making

your decision, make sure you ask LOTS of questions.

-- In Plagiocephaly , " kristi_dennis "

<kristi_dennis@...> wrote:

>

> I am currently looking for an orthotist....Just by looking at the

> websites, I am more impressed with cranial tech. There is a clinic

> that is about an hour and a half from my house. I'm not sure how the

> whole process works yet, but it looks like we will be making several

> trips to the clinic, so this long-distance drive could get old very

> fast! There is a hanger clinic that is only 30 minutes away from me.

> I guess I'm just asking for opinions.....is cranial tech worth driving

> that far, or would I be okay sticking with hanger?

>

February 15, 2006

Hi,

Welcome to the group. I just want to second everything has

already told you. I too went to Cranial Tech, I traveled from NY to

NJ. There wasn't any experienced orthos in my area. Good luck making

your decision, make sure you ask LOTS of questions.

-- In Plagiocephaly , " kristi_dennis "

<kristi_dennis@...> wrote:

>

> I am currently looking for an orthotist....Just by looking at the

> websites, I am more impressed with cranial tech. There is a clinic

> that is about an hour and a half from my house. I'm not sure how the

> whole process works yet, but it looks like we will be making several

> trips to the clinic, so this long-distance drive could get old very

> fast! There is a hanger clinic that is only 30 minutes away from me.

> I guess I'm just asking for opinions.....is cranial tech worth driving

> that far, or would I be okay sticking with hanger?

>

February 16, 2006

My son had two DOCBands from Cranial Tech and I could not be happier

with the process and the results. I know nothing about Hanger helmets

so I can't compare, but I would recommend CT to anyone. They were

highly professional, very knowledgable and accomodating, and the bands

worked wonders for my son. We had an hour drive each week for

adjustments but I would have driven twice as long for the results we got.

Good luck deciding.

Edina

Mom to Ethan - DOC grad

>

> I am currently looking for an orthotist....Just by looking at the

> websites, I am more impressed with cranial tech. There is a clinic

> that is about an hour and a half from my house. I'm not sure how the

> whole process works yet, but it looks like we will be making several

> trips to the clinic, so this long-distance drive could get old very

> fast! There is a hanger clinic that is only 30 minutes away from me.

> I guess I'm just asking for opinions.....is cranial tech worth driving

> that far, or would I be okay sticking with hanger?

>

February 16, 2006

My son had two DOCBands from Cranial Tech and I could not be happier

with the process and the results. I know nothing about Hanger helmets

so I can't compare, but I would recommend CT to anyone. They were

highly professional, very knowledgable and accomodating, and the bands

worked wonders for my son. We had an hour drive each week for

adjustments but I would have driven twice as long for the results we got.

Good luck deciding.

Edina

Mom to Ethan - DOC grad

>

> I am currently looking for an orthotist....Just by looking at the

> websites, I am more impressed with cranial tech. There is a clinic

> that is about an hour and a half from my house. I'm not sure how the

> whole process works yet, but it looks like we will be making several

> trips to the clinic, so this long-distance drive could get old very

> fast! There is a hanger clinic that is only 30 minutes away from me.

> I guess I'm just asking for opinions.....is cranial tech worth driving

> that far, or would I be okay sticking with hanger?

>

February 16, 2006

Krista,

In my opinion CT is worth the trip. We traveled two hours one way during the course of Dominick's treatment. I can share with you my reasons for choosing CT and you can look at my son's website to learn about the whole process and see progress pictures My Banded Baby . Below I will copy my reply when someone asks my opinion:

The decision ispersonal, but you can always listen to feedback from other parents tohelp in your decision also. Remember everything is opinion andeveryone is passionate about thier own choice,lol. I can share withyou my choice and why I made that choice.

I began my research with some pretty tough standards for a providerto meet, they were:

#1: a provider that had done the research onplagiocephaly and was up to date on the treatment and causes andassociated risks.

#2:a provider that could back up thier product withstudies proving sucess and had FDA approval.

#3: a provider thatwould continue that research.

#4:a provider that used only fullytrained orthotists to treat the babies.

#5: a provider that onlytreated plagiocephaly.

#6: a provider that would see my baby for awhole person, not just an abnormal headshape.

#7: a provider that hadclean, baby ( and family) friendly clinics.

#8: a provider that wouldbe accessible to me when or if a problem should arise.

The only provider that could meet all these standards was CranialTechnologies, so my answer was clear. That is who I used to treat myDominick's severe inutero plagiocephaly and I am so very glad that Idid. They not only treated his plagio, but they improved his entirequality of life.CAROLG

>> I am currently looking for an orthotist....Just by looking at the > websites, I am more impressed with cranial tech. There is a clinic > that is about an hour and a half from my house. I'm not sure how the > whole process works yet, but it looks like we will be making several > trips to the clinic, so this long-distance drive could get old very > fast! There is a hanger clinic that is only 30 minutes away from me. > I guess I'm just asking for opinions.....is cranial tech worth driving > that far, or would I be okay sticking with hanger?>

February 16, 2006

Krista,

In my opinion CT is worth the trip. We traveled two hours one way during the course of Dominick's treatment. I can share with you my reasons for choosing CT and you can look at my son's website to learn about the whole process and see progress pictures My Banded Baby . Below I will copy my reply when someone asks my opinion:

The decision ispersonal, but you can always listen to feedback from other parents tohelp in your decision also. Remember everything is opinion andeveryone is passionate about thier own choice,lol. I can share withyou my choice and why I made that choice.

I began my research with some pretty tough standards for a providerto meet, they were:

#1: a provider that had done the research onplagiocephaly and was up to date on the treatment and causes andassociated risks.

#2:a provider that could back up thier product withstudies proving sucess and had FDA approval.

#3: a provider thatwould continue that research.

#4:a provider that used only fullytrained orthotists to treat the babies.

#5: a provider that onlytreated plagiocephaly.

#6: a provider that would see my baby for awhole person, not just an abnormal headshape.

#7: a provider that hadclean, baby ( and family) friendly clinics.

#8: a provider that wouldbe accessible to me when or if a problem should arise.

The only provider that could meet all these standards was CranialTechnologies, so my answer was clear. That is who I used to treat myDominick's severe inutero plagiocephaly and I am so very glad that Idid. They not only treated his plagio, but they improved his entirequality of life.CAROLG

>> I am currently looking for an orthotist....Just by looking at the > websites, I am more impressed with cranial tech. There is a clinic > that is about an hour and a half from my house. I'm not sure how the > whole process works yet, but it looks like we will be making several > trips to the clinic, so this long-distance drive could get old very > fast! There is a hanger clinic that is only 30 minutes away from me. > I guess I'm just asking for opinions.....is cranial tech worth driving > that far, or would I be okay sticking with hanger?>

February 16, 2006

Krista: We didn't really have a choice because of our son's headshape (scaphcephalic -- long and narrow with no slope whatsoever). He *needed* a dynamic band to help him get a slope, and at the time, Cranial Tech was the only company that had three specific bands (one for assymetric, one for brachy, one for scapho). Cranial Tech wasn't in Ohio at the time -- I drove from Cincinnati to Toledo the night before 3 hours (so I could go to Chicago with my mom) and we drove to Chicago and back to Toledo (total 6-10+ hours depending on traffic) the same day. Then back to Cincinnati the next day. It was a good bonding time for my mom and Quinn since she lived so far away. We only had to do it every 2 weeks though. He was in the band about 4 1/2 months. They were wonderful. Insurance paid on appeal. I would do it again in a heartbeat, travel and all.aka "Kali" mom to Quinn, born 11

/19/99, DOC grad for scaphocephalic head shape 10/00http://www.cappskids.org/CAPPSPlagioKidQuinn.htm

>> I am currently looking for an orthotist....Just by looking at the > websites, I am more impressed with cranial tech. There is a clinic > that is about an hour and a half from my house. I'm not sure how the > whole process works yet, but it looks like we will be making several > trips to the clinic, so this long-distance drive could get old very > fast! There is a hanger clinic that is only 30 minutes away from me. > I guess I'm just asking for opinions.....is cranial tech worth driving > that far, or would I be okay sticking with hanger?>For more plagio info

February 16, 2006

Krista: We didn't really have a choice because of our son's headshape (scaphcephalic -- long and narrow with no slope whatsoever). He *needed* a dynamic band to help him get a slope, and at the time, Cranial Tech was the only company that had three specific bands (one for assymetric, one for brachy, one for scapho). Cranial Tech wasn't in Ohio at the time -- I drove from Cincinnati to Toledo the night before 3 hours (so I could go to Chicago with my mom) and we drove to Chicago and back to Toledo (total 6-10+ hours depending on traffic) the same day. Then back to Cincinnati the next day. It was a good bonding time for my mom and Quinn since she lived so far away. We only had to do it every 2 weeks though. He was in the band about 4 1/2 months. They were wonderful. Insurance paid on appeal. I would do it again in a heartbeat, travel and all.aka "Kali" mom to Quinn, born 11

/19/99, DOC grad for scaphocephalic head shape 10/00http://www.cappskids.org/CAPPSPlagioKidQuinn.htm

>> I am currently looking for an orthotist....Just by looking at the > websites, I am more impressed with cranial tech. There is a clinic > that is about an hour and a half from my house. I'm not sure how the > whole process works yet, but it looks like we will be making several > trips to the clinic, so this long-distance drive could get old very > fast! There is a hanger clinic that is only 30 minutes away from me. > I guess I'm just asking for opinions.....is cranial tech worth driving > that far, or would I be okay sticking with hanger?>For more plagio info

February 16, 2006

Why don't you check out both places and see which one you like best?

Should have mentioned that in my original post!

We had a 10 minute drive when Dane was banded. With Cece it was about

a hour. Not a big deal considering the sacrifices many parents make.

I would have driven to Chicago if we needed to. The main thing is

that you have confidence in whoever your provider is.

February 16, 2006

Why don't you check out both places and see which one you like best?

Should have mentioned that in my original post!

We had a 10 minute drive when Dane was banded. With Cece it was about

a hour. Not a big deal considering the sacrifices many parents make.

I would have driven to Chicago if we needed to. The main thing is

that you have confidence in whoever your provider is.

February 16, 2006

Hello. I just wanted to give you my input. My daughter wore a Hanger

Cranial Band for 11 weeks (from 7mo,1wk until 10 mo) and she got

excellent correction. You can see her before and afters under

before and after/Hanger Band/ V. She started out at 14mm cranial

vault asymmetry and was down to 4mm at graduation. She has also had

some post band rounding. We had an excellent Orthotist. That is the

real key to getting good results (regardless of what band you choose to

use). You need to make sure that the Ortho is experience with plagio

and bands and that they are knowledgable. If you give me the address

of the Hanger facility that is near you (and the name of the Orthotist

if you have that) I can check out the Orthotist for you. I still email

back and forth with 's old Ortho and I'm always checking certain

Orthotists with him.

Feel free to email me at ronandjenvelez@... if you had any

more questions about Hanger and/or to give me the info on the Hanger

near you and I'll see what I can find out for you.

Jen

(18 mo), Hanger Band Grad

(4 years)

>

> I am currently looking for an orthotist....Just by looking at the

> websites, I am more impressed with cranial tech. There is a clinic

> that is about an hour and a half from my house. I'm not sure how the

> whole process works yet, but it looks like we will be making several

> trips to the clinic, so this long-distance drive could get old very

> fast! There is a hanger clinic that is only 30 minutes away from

me.

> I guess I'm just asking for opinions.....is cranial tech worth

driving

> that far, or would I be okay sticking with hanger?

>

February 16, 2006