🌼 Understanding Plagiocephaly 🌼
How Pediatric Chiropractic and Craniosacral Therapy Can Help Your Baby’s Head Shape and Development
If you’ve noticed your baby’s head looks a little flat on one side, you’re not alone and you’re not doing anything wrong. Many babies today develop plagiocephaly, or flat head syndrome, due to modern birth practices and the amount of time spent on their backs for safe sleep.
The good news? With gentle, supportive care, babies can grow and develop with more balance, ease, and comfort.
What Is Plagiocephaly?
Plagiocephaly is the medical term for a flat spot on a baby’s head. It often appears when one side of the skull is flatter than the other or when the head looks asymmetrical.
Common causes include:
- Prolonged time on the back or in car seats/swings
- In-utero positioning or birth trauma
- Torticollis (tight neck muscles that limit head turning)
- Limited tummy time
🧠Why Head Shape Matters
While flat spots are often considered cosmetic, they can also be a sign of underlying tension or restrictions in the baby’s body — especially in the neck, jaw, and cranial bones. These restrictions can sometimes affect:
- Head movement or preference
- Nursing or bottle feeding
- Digestion and sleep
- Brain and sensory development
How Pediatric Chiropractic Can Help
Pediatric chiropractic care is gentle, non-invasive, and focused on supporting optimal nervous system function.
During a visit, we assess your baby’s spinal alignment, cranial motion, and muscular balance especially in the neck and jaw. Many babies with plagiocephaly also have a head-turning preference (torticollis), which gentle adjustments can help correct over time.
Our care focuses on:
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Easing tension in the spine and neck
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Promoting symmetrical head movement
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Supporting optimal cranial bone motion and development
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Enhancing nervous system communication for growth and healing
Parents often notice their baby is more relaxed, feeds better, and shows improved head mobility after even just a few sessions.
Want to learn more?
We understand how important it is to find the right doctor for your child. For this reason we offer a FREE virtual consultation to address any questions you may have before booking your first appointment.
