FLAT HEAD SYNDROME

Chiropractic Care for Flat Head Syndrome

What is Flat Head Syndrome?

Flat Head Syndrome is when a baby develops a flat spot on their head creating a misshapen skull. These head shapes are also known as Plagiocephaly, Brachycephaly and Scaphocephaly, labelled based on where the flat spot(s) are.

What Causes the Flat Spot(s)?

Flat spots are created from too much pressure being applied to one part of the skull. Babies skulls are very soft and therefore easily moldable, making it easy for them to flatten quickly if they aren’t moving their head around well. Head flattening can being in utero due to intrauterine constraint (cramping), this is more common with multiples or breech babies. Head flattening is also commonly caused by sleep position. Babies sleep on their backs (and they should for safe sleep!), which can cause the back of their head to get flat. Other conditions like torticollis (a tight muscle in the baby’s neck), can be another cause of flatness.

  • Diagonal oval shaped head

  • Flattening on one side of the back of the head

  • Head tilted to one side

  • One ear more forward than the other

  • One side of forehead more prominent

  • One cheek fuller than the other

BRACHYCEPHALY

PLAGIOCEPHALY

Results were achieved with chiropractic care. Treatment included gentle adjustments, cranial work, stretches and strengthening exercises as well as repositioning for specific head shape.

The 3 Types of Head Shapes

  • Wide head shape

  • Flattening across the back of the head

  • Widest part of head is just above the ears

  • Forehead may slope

  • Head appears tall from the side

Before & Afters

  • Long & narrow head shape

  • Flattening along the sides of the head

  • Back of the head is fuller than normal

SCAPHOCEPHALY

When Should We Start Treatment?

As soon as possible! There is absolutely no benefit in delaying treatment. It is so much easier to correct the head shape the younger your baby is because their skulls are softer.

When Is It Too Late To Start Treatment?

To correct the head shape conservatively, we need your baby to be under 5ish months. After 5 months, you are likely looking at helmet therapy as the only option to correct the head shape. HOWEVER, it is still a good idea to bring your baby in to address body tension, especially if your child has plagiocephaly as this is due to torticollis (tight neck muscles). Any type of misshapen skull often leads to some tight and weak muscles, so it’s important that the whole body is addressed and not just the head shape.

How Common Are Flat Spots?

Flat spots are very common! Approximately 1 in every 2 babies develop a flat spot. The good news is that it can be easily prevented by spreading awareness and corrected with early intervention. It’s important to seek treatment as quickly as possible, as babies grow so quickly and we have a limited amount of time (up to 5ish months of age) to work on correcting the flat spot without helmet therapy.

Which Babies Are At Higher Risk?

Multiples, preemies, and breech babies are at a higher risk for developing a flat head. Carrying multiples means there is less space in utero often creating a “cramped” environment. Typically, the lowest baby is at a higher risk. Breech babies are also in an award position and at a high risk for head shape concerns as well as torticollis. Due to premature arrival, these babies have softer skulls and often spend time in the NICU where they are in specific positions to due medical/feeding devices which can quickly create a flat spot.