Plagiocephaly, often called flat head syndrome, occurs when a baby develops a flattened or uneven head shape. This usually results from consistent pressure on one part of the skull, especially in the first months of life when the bones are still soft. Physical therapy plays an important role in correcting head shape and supporting healthy motor development.
What Causes Plagiocephaly?
Common factors include:
- Prolonged time lying on one side
- Torticollis (tight neck muscles causing the head to tilt or turn)
- Limited tummy time
- Prematurity
- Preference for looking in one direction
How Physical Therapy Helps
Our trained and experienced pediatric physical therapists will:
- Assess your child’s head shape and neck mobility
- Identify muscle tightness, weakness, or positional habits
- Create a personalized plan to encourage symmetrical movement
- Guide you on positioning techniques throughout daily routines
- Monitor progress and coordinate care with pediatricians or orthotists if needed
Treatment Approach for Plagiocephaly
Physical therapy may include:
- Neck stretching to correct torticollis
- Strengthening exercises to improve head and trunk control
- Tummy time training to build core and neck strength
- Repositioning strategies for sleeping, feeding, and play
- Developmental exercises to encourage reaching, rolling, and symmetrical movement
When to Seek Physical Therapy
You should consider an evaluation if you notice:
- A flat spot on the back or side of your baby’s head
- Your baby always looks in the same direction
- A head tilt or difficulty turning the head
- Uneven ears, forehead, or facial asymmetry
- Limited tolerance for tummy time
Early intervention—ideally between 2 to 4 months of age—leads to the best outcomes.
Helmets for treatment of Plagiocephaly
Many infants improve significantly with physical therapy and home positioning programs alone. Specialized helmets may be recommended if:
- The head shape is moderate to severe
- Improvement is limited after conservative therapy
- The baby is older (usually 5–6 months or more)
Your therapist will help guide this decision if needed.
At Second Wave Physical Therapy we help babies develop proper movement, correct head symmetry, and build the foundation for healthy motor skills while supporting and educating parents through every step.