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Plagiocephaly is an abnormal or deformed shape of the skull. It can happen while a baby is in the womb due to compression from the cranium (head) by lying in one position for any length of time, being engaged for a long time, a long labour having a difficult birth, or when the infant gets stuck while contractions are still occurring. Untreated the effect of abnormal forces because of dural strain might lead to torticollis (shortening and spasm from the sterno-cleido–mastiod muscle) or scoliosis (lateral deviation from the spine), both important considerations for growth and development.

As stated by Luciano Nocetti, If of intra-uterine cause it is going to be clear at birth. However sometimes it is not noticed until 4-6 weeks and is then much more most likely post-natal in origin. Typically with the back to sleep programme some babies are lying on their backs in one placement for a lengthy time. The sustained pressure on malleable bones of the skull can result in a flattening at the back from the head or on 1 side. It might also be due to a tightening of muscles on one side from the neck or spinal tension restricting neck mobility, leading a infant to favour liking with it head to 1 side all the time, resulting in the flattening of the skull.

Osteopathic examination by an osteopata would think about how the flattening has occurred. If it is due to the forces of labour, the effects tend to be mechanical; the cause will lie in a bony and membranous strain. The condyles, joints at the base from the skull onto the neck, are frequently affected, as may be the top from the neck. This is an important junctional area which resolves the forces from the head and the cervical spine and may be the weakest region in the spine when the force of labour contractions does not produce movement through the birth canal.

The priority of therapy may be the resolution of any mechanical strains or abnormal tensions maintaining the distortion of the cranial bones. Cranial osteopathy has good outcomes for function and appearance, achieved by releasing strains within the neck and head, and giving balance to the membranes. Guidance is going to be given to parents with ideas on how to help at house.

Generally plagiocephaly won’t have severe long-term outcomes other than cosmetic look, as lengthy as the membranes really feel comfortable and you will find no obvious stresses remaining. However inside a few untreated instances there might be bony distortion, developmental delay, palpable bony prominence and an abnormal pattern of hair growth.

We have practitioners in the clinic who are experienced in treating plagiocephaly, and are happy to give you an honest opinion and great guidance. Expect it to take 2-3 osteopatia treatments prior to change is noticed in head shape, although related symptoms may alter more rapidly.