Blog · Steve Hall · 22 May 2025
Cranial osteopathy
Plagiocephaly: an honest note
A flattened head shape in babies — what cranial osteopathy can and cannot claim, from Steve Hall.
Symptoms and what they can mean
Parents notice a preferred side and a flat patch. Tummy time and positional advice from health visitors are first-line in the UK. Helmets are a specialist pathway, not an osteopathy product.
What we can do in clinic
I can look at neck preference and use very gentle osteopathy. I will not promise to reshape a skull. If I think a paediatric or specialist helmet assessment is needed, I will say so.
Red flags and when to see your GP
A rapidly increasing head size, a bulging fontanelle, or a baby who is not meeting visual milestones is medical, immediately.
This article is general information for people considering care at Health at Hart in Hartley Wintney. It is not a diagnosis, a prescription, or a promise of outcome. If you have sudden, severe or unexplained symptoms — including chest pain, unexplained weight loss, night pain, bowel or bladder changes, or a new neurological problem — seek urgent medical advice (NHS 111 or 999). UK osteopaths are regulated by the General Osteopathic Council. Counsellors named here are BACP-registered where stated. Always check with your GP or insurer if you are unsure whether a treatment is appropriate for you.
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