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Advanced, Evidence-Based Care for Infants with Plagiocephaly

At OP Specialty Bracing, we bring decades of expertise and progressive clinical techniques to the treatment of deformational plagiocephaly.

Our approach is straightforward: we recommend what’s best for each baby. If a helmet isn’t necessary, we won’t suggest one. Every evaluation follows a proven clinical protocol, taking into account age, precise cranial measurements, neck range of motion, conservative treatment options, and family goals before determining whether a cranial remolding orthosis such as the Boston Band is the right next step.

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plagiocephaly importance of early treatment

Why Timing Matters in Plagiocephaly Care: The Power of Early Referral

Best Window for Growth: Birth to 7 months is when skull growth is fastest.
Earlier Referral = Shorter Treatment: Referring before 6 months can reduce cranial remolding time by 1–3 weeks.
Prevent Worsening Asymmetries: Early monitoring helps families use conservative treatments like tummy time and repositioning effectively.
No-Cost Appointments: Baseline monitoring visits are free for both providers and families.

Help families act early, because timing makes all the difference.

How We Treat Outcomes Family Resource Hub Research

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Our 5-Step Pediatric Pathway

1. Comprehensive Evaluation

We take the time to understand your child’s unique needs, set collaborative goals, and make sure each orthotic solution can evolve with them. We do this by taking measurements of the head, assessing range of motion of the neck, and taking a thorough and complete history.

2. Team-Based Collaboration

We work directly with your child’s physician, rehab, therapy and family as the care team to ensure their device fits seamlessly into their treatment plan.

3. Custom-Fit, Custom-Made

Every cranial remolding orthosis is chosen and designed to maximize comfort, control growth of the head, and wearability. A 3D scan is taken at the appointment to capture the true shape of the head and address the asymmetry in multiple planes.

4. Ongoing Support & Adjustments

Babies grow fast — and so do their needs. We monitor progress, make adjustments, track outcomes, at each appointment! This ensures that the patient and family are reaching their goals in the shortest time possible.

5. Whole-Family Support

We know treatment of a baby impacts the whole family. That’s why we connect families to resources, peer mentors, and a national support network — helping you not just cope but thrive.

Outcomes

We analyze all cranial data for patients who graduated from cranial treatment and patients who haven’t been seen for more than four weeks.

Why do we do this on a rolling basis?

Dedicated to getting positive results and to address trends that are showing in the data early on to make improvements.

Case Studies

Family Resource Hub

When a baby is diagnosed with plagiocephaly, families need more than a helmet, they need reassurance, guidance, and simple, practical support. That’s why we created the Plagiocephaly on the Family Resource Hub: a dedicated space designed to complement your care and help families feel confident throughout their baby’s treatment journey.

This resource is built specifically for parents navigating helmet therapy, with easy-to-follow tools, education, and support that make day-to-day care feel more manageable.

Inside, you’ll find:

Patient stories from other families that provide reassurance, encouragement, and a sense of community
Parent-friendly education that clearly explains plagiocephaly, helmet therapy, and what to expect along the way
Step-by-step videos showing how to put on, remove, and adjust your baby’s helmet
Wear & Care guides with simple instructions on:
- How to properly position and fit the helmet
- Daily wear schedules and what to expect during the adjustment period
- Cleaning and caring for your baby’s helmet and skin
Tips for everyday life, including sleep, tummy time, positioning, and keeping your baby comfortable
Guidance on progress and milestones, so parents know what’s normal and when to ask questions

Everything is thoughtfully organized so families can quickly find what they need, whether they’re at home, at daycare, or on the go.

View the Family Resource Hub

Research

Ryall JJ, Xue Y, Turner KD, Nguyen PD, Greives MR. Assessing the quality of life in infants with deformational plagiocephaly. J Craniomaxillofac Surg. 2021 Jan;49(1):29-33. doi: 10.1016/j.jcms.2020.11.005. Epub 2020 Nov 17. PMID: 33239212.

Graham T, Wang J, Calderon FA, Moses V, Hallac RR. Two-Dimensional and Three-Dimensional Changes in Deformational Head Shapes During Repositioning Therapy and Cranial Remolding Treatment. J Clin Med. 2024 Dec 17;13(24):7689. doi: 10.3390/jcm13247689. PMID: 39768612; PMCID: PMC11679540.

Phelan AL, Gu G, McCarthy M, Barton BA, McIntyre JK, Lalikos JF. Rethinking Farkas: Updating Cephalic Index Norms in a Large, Diverse Population. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2021 Jun 1;147(6):1369-1376. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000007957. PMID: 33973960.

FAQs

What referral information and imaging are needed to get started?

To streamline the evaluation process, simply send the clinic notes and prescription with your referral. Because our team provides a free initial evaluation, there’s no need to include measurements, photos, 3D scans, growth charts, or notes on prior conservative management, we’ll handle all of that during the visit.

How are different head shapes classified?

We use the CHOA Plagiocephaly and Hutchison’s Brachycephaly Severity Scales to assess the type and severity of cranial asymmetry and determine whether helmet treatment is appropriate. The most common head shape variations we see include Plagiocephaly, Brachycephaly, Scaphocephaly, and Asymmetric Brachycephaly.

What happens during a cranial evaluation?

During the evaluation, our clinical team takes a brief medical history and discusses the family’s observations and concerns. We then assess neck range of motion and muscle strength, followed by cranial measurements and/or a 3D scan of the baby’s head. Once all information is gathered, our clinicians review the findings, educate the family, and discuss whether treatment is needed, outlining clear next steps and what to expect throughout the process.

What family education and follow-up support do you provide?

We make sure every family feels confident and supported from day one. Our clinicians review wear schedules, skin checks, device cleaning, donning and doffing, and troubleshooting tips, reinforcing best practices as treatment progresses.

Families also have ongoing access to our Family Resource Hub, which includes how-to videos, care guides, and peer support connections making it easy for providers to share trusted, educational resources that help families thrive throughout their child’s treatment journey.

“It’s not easy in the beginning but it gets easier throughout the time because the progress of it too.. I noticed everyday that I I took the helmet off the shape of it looked so much better. The promise of it is motivating!”

– Plagiocephaly Mom, Boston

The Boston Band
for Plagiocephaly Care

Developed as part of our specialized plagiocephaly treatment pathway, the Boston Band delivers effective cranial remolding with comfort, precision, and proven outcomes.

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Advanced, Evidence-Based Care for Infants with Plagiocephaly

Why Timing Matters in Plagiocephaly Care: The Power of Early Referral

Our 5-Step Pediatric Pathway

Outcomes

Case Studies

From Very Severe to Mild: Brachycephaly Improvement with the Boston Band

Remarkable Improvement in a Severe Plagiocephaly Case: Before and After Results

From Severe to Mild: Measuring Cranial Improvement with the Boston Band

Family Resource Hub

Research

FAQs

The Boston Band
for Plagiocephaly Care

Connect With Us

Contact

Quick Links

Just for Families

Advanced, Evidence-Based Care for Infants with Plagiocephaly

Why Timing Matters in Plagiocephaly Care: The Power of Early Referral

Our 5-Step Pediatric Pathway

Outcomes

Case Studies

From Very Severe to Mild: Brachycephaly Improvement with the Boston Band

Remarkable Improvement in a Severe Plagiocephaly Case: Before and After Results

From Severe to Mild: Measuring Cranial Improvement with the Boston Band

Family Resource Hub

Research

FAQs

The Boston Band for Plagiocephaly Care

Connect With Us

Contact

Quick Links

Just for Families

Quick Links

The Boston Band
for Plagiocephaly Care