Is your child struggling with plagiocephaly? You’ve noticed the flat spot on their head, and maybe you’re feeling worried, overwhelmed, or even a little guilty. Please know that you’re not alone—many families throughout Cooper City, Pembroke Pines, and Weston are facing this exact same challenge. You’ve probably been told to just “wait and see” or that your baby will “grow out of it,” but deep down, you know your little one needs more support. Perhaps you’ve tried repositioning, tummy time, or even a helmet, but you’re still not seeing the improvements you were hoping for. The truth is, plagiocephaly often signals something deeper going on with your child’s nervous system—and there’s a gentle, natural approach that addresses the root cause rather than just managing symptoms.
💡 Key Takeaway: Plagiocephaly isn’t just a cosmetic issue—it often indicates underlying nervous system dysfunction that can be addressed naturally through neurologically-focused chiropractic care.
Proudly serving families in Cooper City, Davie, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Weston, and throughout Broward County, FL.
What Is Plagiocephaly?
Plagiocephaly, often called “flat head syndrome,” is a condition where a baby’s head develops a flat spot on one side or the back. This asymmetrical head shape happens when external pressure is applied to one area of the skull over time.
The condition can develop in the womb when space is limited, or more commonly after birth when babies spend too much time in one position. While many parents are told this is purely cosmetic, plagiocephaly often indicates underlying tension in your baby’s neck and spine that’s preventing normal movement.
There are two main types: positional plagiocephaly (caused by external pressure) and craniosynostosis (caused by premature skull fusion). The vast majority of cases are positional, meaning they develop after birth due to positioning and underlying muscle tension (source: American Academy of Pediatrics).
Understanding that plagiocephaly is often a symptom of nervous system stress—not just a cosmetic issue—is the first step toward helping your child heal naturally.
⭐ Did You Know? Most cases of plagiocephaly are positional and develop after birth due to nervous system tension, not just external positioning factors.
Signs and Symptoms of Plagiocephaly in Children
Many parents first notice plagiocephaly when they see the obvious flat spot, but there are often other signs that your child’s nervous system is under stress. Here are the key symptoms to watch for:
- Flat spot on the back or side of the head that’s becoming more noticeable
- Uneven ears (one ear sits forward compared to the other)
- Asymmetrical facial features or forehead prominence
- Strong preference for turning head to one side only
- Difficulty with tummy time or extreme fussiness during position changes
- Trouble breastfeeding on one side
- Frequent crying or fussiness that seems unexplained
- Sleep difficulties or only sleeping in certain positions
✅ What You Can Do: Look for patterns in these symptoms together—they often occur as a cluster because they stem from the same nervous system dysfunction.
If you’re reading this list and thinking “that sounds like my baby,” you’re not imagining things. These signs often occur together because they all stem from the same root cause—nervous system dysfunction.
You’re not imagining things. These signs often occur together because they all stem from the same root cause—nervous system dysfunction.
What Causes Plagiocephaly?
While many healthcare providers focus on positioning as the main cause of plagiocephaly, the real story is much deeper. The root cause often lies in what we call “The Perfect Storm”—a combination of prenatal stress, birth trauma, and ongoing nervous system dysfunction.
During pregnancy, factors like maternal stress, positioning in the womb, or a difficult birth can create tension in your baby’s upper cervical spine. Birth interventions like vacuum extraction, forceps, or even seemingly “normal” deliveries can put tremendous pressure on a baby’s delicate neck and skull.
This birth trauma often results in subluxations—areas where the spine isn’t moving properly, creating interference in the nervous system. When the upper cervical spine is misaligned, it affects the vagus nerve and keeps your baby’s nervous system stuck in a fight-or-flight state.
In this stressed state, babies experience muscle tension, particularly in the neck muscles, which prevents them from freely moving their head. They get “stuck” in preferred positions, leading to the flat spots we see in plagiocephaly (source: Cleveland Clinic). The positioning is often a symptom, not the cause.
Additionally, when the nervous system is dysregulated, it affects digestion, sleep, and overall comfort—which is why babies with plagiocephaly often struggle with other issues too.
❤️ You’re Not Alone: Even “normal” births can create the tension that leads to plagiocephaly—this isn’t about anything you did wrong as a parent.
How Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Helps with Plagiocephaly
At Alive & Free Chiropractic, we don’t just focus on the flat spot—we address the nervous system dysfunction that’s creating the problem. Our approach starts with advanced INSiGHT scanning technology that measures exactly how your child’s nervous system is functioning.
These scans show us where subluxations are causing nerve interference and keeping your baby’s system stuck in fight-or-flight mode. We can actually see the areas of tension and stress that are preventing normal movement and development.
Using gentle, specific chiropractic adjustments designed especially for infants, we work to remove these subluxations and restore proper nervous system function. When we address the upper cervical spine, we help activate the vagus nerve, which shifts your child’s nervous system from stress mode into rest-and-digest mode.
As the nervous system begins to function properly, many families notice their children start moving their heads more freely, sleeping better, and showing improvement in related issues like torticollis, colic, and reflux.
The beautiful thing about working with infants is their incredible neuroplasticity—their brains and nervous systems can adapt and heal quickly when given the right support. Research suggests that addressing nervous system function early can have profound impacts on a child’s development and overall health.
💡 Key Takeaway: Infants have incredible neuroplasticity, meaning their nervous systems can adapt and heal quickly when proper function is restored.
Wondering if chiropractic care could help your child with plagiocephaly?
Call us at (754) 203-5907 or schedule your child’s assessment online.
What to Expect at Your Child’s First Visit
We know bringing your little one to a new healthcare provider can feel overwhelming, so we’ve designed our process to be as comfortable and thorough as possible. Your first visit begins with a detailed consultation where we’ll discuss your child’s birth story, current challenges, and your goals for their health.
Next, we’ll perform our comprehensive INSiGHT nervous system scans. These are completely safe and painless—no radiation, no needles, just advanced technology that gives us a clear picture of how your child’s nervous system is functioning. Most babies sleep right through the scans!
During your report of findings visit, we’ll review the scan results together and explain exactly what we found. We’ll show you where the stress patterns are and how they’re contributing to your child’s plagiocephaly and any other symptoms you’ve noticed.
If care is recommended, we’ll create a specific care plan tailored to your child’s needs. Our Cooper City office serves families from throughout Pembroke Pines, Weston, Southwest Ranches, and Davie, and we’re committed to making this journey as easy as possible for your family.
Frequently Asked Questions About Plagiocephaly
Is chiropractic care safe for babies with plagiocephaly?
Absolutely. Pediatric chiropractic care is incredibly gentle and safe when performed by a trained professional. The adjustments we use for infants require no more pressure than you’d use to check if a tomato is ripe. We’re specially trained in neurologically-focused techniques designed specifically for children’s developing nervous systems.
How long does it take to see improvement in plagiocephaly?
Every child is different, but many parents notice improvements in their baby’s movement, sleep, and comfort within the first few weeks of care. The head shape changes often take longer—typically several months—as the skull gradually reshapes with improved movement and reduced tension. The earlier we can address the nervous system dysfunction, the faster children typically respond.
Will my baby still need a helmet if we do chiropractic care?
While we can’t make guarantees, many families find that addressing the underlying nervous system issues helps their children avoid or reduce the need for helmet therapy. When babies can move their heads freely and spend less time in preferred positions, the natural growth process often helps improve head shape. We work closely with other healthcare providers to ensure your child gets the best possible care.
Can plagiocephaly cause developmental delays?
The same nervous system dysfunction that contributes to plagiocephaly can also affect other areas of development. When babies are stuck in fight-or-flight mode, it can impact their ability to reach developmental milestones, sleep well, and interact with their environment. Addressing the root cause through nervous system care often helps children thrive in multiple areas.
What’s the difference between your approach and traditional treatments?
Traditional treatments often focus on managing the symptoms—repositioning, tummy time, or helmets to reshape the skull. While these can be helpful, they don’t address why your baby got stuck in preferred positions in the first place. Our neurologically-focused approach addresses the root cause by removing interference in the nervous system, allowing your child’s body to function and develop as it was designed to.
Does insurance cover neurologically-focused chiropractic care?
Because we are neurologically-focused rather than a typical back-pain chiropractor, most major medical insurance plans do not cover what we do. Our approach is more specialized and more intensive than what insurance was designed for. However, we accept HSA and FSA — which many families have and don’t realize they can use for this. We also offer family discounts and flexible options to make care affordable. We always find a way for families who are committed to their child’s health.
Related Articles
To learn more about how birth trauma might be affecting your child’s development, read our article on Birth Trauma & Your Baby: The Perfect Storm Explained.
Take the Next Step for Your Child
You don’t have to wait and hope your child’s plagiocephaly improves on its own. There’s a gentle, natural approach that addresses the root cause and helps your little one’s nervous system function the way it was designed to.
Our team at Alive & Free Chiropractic understands how overwhelming this journey can feel, and we’re here to support your family every step of the way. You don’t have to figure this out alone.
Ready to learn more about how we can help your child thrive? Call us at (754) 203-5907 or use our convenient online booking system to schedule your child’s comprehensive assessment.
Your child deserves to thrive.
Call Alive & Free Chiropractic at (754) 203-5907 or book your visit online today.
