Calgary infant head position and shape clinic
If your baby is diagnosed with Deformational Plagiocephaly, Brachycephaly or Scaphocephaly and is between the ages of 3 and 18 months, your pediatrician or specialist may refer you to a practitioner who specializes in providing plagiocephaly helmet therapy.
Braceworks welcomes referrals from pediatric physiotherapists specializing in repositioning therapy for evaulation and 3D scanning. Call 403-240-9100 in Calgary to inquire.
3D scanning for plagiocephaly helmet therapy with the SmartSoc® and Orthomerica app.
Most infants whose heads ‘tip’ to one side or the other, and/or show ‘flattening’ in some areas of their head respond very well to Repositioning Therapy under the guidance of a Pediatric Physiotherapist — teaching parents in one-on-one or weekly group classes over a period of a couple of months.
Early intervention, starting at 3 months of age — while your child’s head is growing most rapidly — is key to achieving successful outcomes with repositioning therapy.
| Watch Infant repositioning therapy videos |
Some infants may require referral to a Pediatric Orthotist certified in cranial products for further evaluation. Children require very careful monitoring of the fit and function of their devices. Skilled Pediatric Orthotists assess your child’s progress and make fine adjustments to accommodate growth and development over the course of treatment.
Each STARband® Cranial Remolding Orthosis is custom made of plastic and foam to correct your baby’s head shape gently, as they grow.
Measurement and Comparison Unit (MCU) software from Orthomerica allows an orthotist to provide concise and objective measurements of a child’s head shape. Whether treating conservatively, with a helmet or just monitoring for growth, the MCU will show comparative changes in growth and symmetry. OAPL
| Referrals | ||||
| Infants between the ages of 4 and 6 months who have not achieved the desired level of correction with Repositioning Therapy may be referred by their Physiotherapist for further assessment and treatment with a cranial orthosis, if prescribed by your child’s Physician. | ||||
| ☞ Download Assessment guides here. | ||||
| Clinician | ||||
| Marc Schneider, Orthotist – Pediatric Specialist Certified, Cranial Products, Orthomerica ✩ All Star |
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| Assessment | ||||
Welcome, introductions, and review of diagnosis, referral and prescription
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| Measurement Method | ||||
| SmartSoc® 3D Capturing System by Orthomerica | ||||
| Measurement with SmartSoc® 3D Capturing System is accurate to 0.08mm (0.02%) of the STARscanner® based on a head circumference of 400 mm at 6 months of age. | ||||
| Treatments | ||||
| STARlight® Cranial Orthosis | STARband® Cranial Orthosis | |||
| Indications |
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| Mild | Moderate to Severe | |||
| Assess fit and function of the cranial orthosis, making adjustments to accommodate growth and development. | ||||
| Clear plastic shell with foam pads and Velcro® closure. | Opaque plastic shell with Pelite® liner, foam insert and Velcro® closure. | |||
| Follow Up Visits |
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| Age | 3-4 months | 4-12 months | 12-18 months | |
| Frequency | Every week | Every 2 weeks | Every 3 weeks | |
| Monitoring | ||||
| Measure the infant’s head including circumference, anterior-posterior and medial-lateral to monitor growth and change in symmetry and proportion. | ||||
| Fees | ||||
| $3800.00 including all support and servicing to adjust the Cranial Orthosis to accommodate growth and development over the course of treatment. | ||||
| Detailed estimates, including measurements indicating severity of condition according to clinical indices, available upon request for submission to your Private insurer for prior approval. | ||||
| The One and Only STARband® |
Around the world, more than 600,000 infants have been successfully treated with the STARband®. By design, the STARband® allows for the successful completion of treatment in more than 98%+ of all deformational plagiocephaly and brachycephaly patients with a single orthosis.
To achieve that level of success, families must comply with the recommended 23-hour per day wearing schedule and participate in a structured follow-up program involving ongoing adjustments and modifications. The need for a second headband is rarely indicated, if the clinical protocols are followed correctly.
| Location | |
| Braceworks 1, 3500-24 Ave. NW |
T 403-240-9100 F 403-217-4687 |
| Repositioning Therapists | |
| Calgary Youth Physiotherapy (South location) Suite 5112-7005 Fairmount Dr. SE Calgary AB T2H 0K4 T 403-259-8534 F 403-259-8409 |
Calgary Youth Physiotherapy 101, 4616 Valiant Drive NW Calgary AB T3A 0X9 T 403-289-9883 F 403-289-9873 |
| Lakeview Physiotherapy 11, 6449 Crowchild Trail SW Calgary AB T3E 5R7 T 587-317-9981 |
Infant Head Shape Services South Health Campus 7B, 4448 Front Street SE Calgary AB T3M 1M4 T 403-956-2575 F 403-956-2595 |
| Lori Walker Krause BScPT MCPA CAFCI Milestones Physical Therapy Services T 403-796-8664 |
Christine MacSween Physiotherapist Repositioning Therapy 312, 4935 40 Ave NW Calgary AB T3A 2N1 T 587-318-0065 F 587-387-2960 Web site christinemacsween.com Book appointment online |
| Peak Health – Kids 208, 7337 MacLeod Trail SW Calgary AB T2H 0L8 T 403-774-9576 Book appointment online |
Joanna Smith Physiotherapist Northern Hills Sport Physiotherapy 760, 500 Country Hills Blvd NE Calgary AB T3K 4Y7 T 403-226-7680 Book appointment online |
| Around Australia, OAPL use the SmartSoc® 3D Capturing System by Orthomerica for the diagnosis and treatment of a range of cranial deformities present in infants. OAPL Youtube Aug 7, 2017. Check out starbandkids.com for more information. |
| Plagiocephaly: Positioning for your baby. Many of the ways to improve your baby’s head shape are simple and are things that you can do at home. This video looks at ways you can help your baby with plagiocephaly, which is a flat spot on one side of the back of their head. MyHealth.Alberta.ca. Youtube Nov 22, 2023 |
