How Chiropractic Care Can Support BABIES with Plagiocephaly
Summary:
Many parents notice their baby developing a “flat spot” on one side of the head — a common condition known as plagiocephaly or flat head syndrome. It often happens when babies spend a lot of time lying in one position or when there’s tightness in the neck muscles that makes it hard for them to turn their head evenly.
The good news is that gentle, research-informed chiropractic care may help. By improving a baby’s neck movement, muscle balance, and comfort, chiropractic adjustments can support more even pressure on the head and help babies move more freely. This can assist not only with head shape, but also with important milestones like rolling, reaching, and crawling — all of which are linked to healthy brain and motor development.
At Pando Society in Elwood, I take a gentle, collaborative approach to caring for infants with plagiocephaly — combining safe, age-appropriate chiropractic techniques with advice on positioning, tummy time and movement.
Understanding Plagiocephaly
Plagiocephaly, often called “flat head syndrome,” refers to asymmetrical skull shaping in infants, typically caused by prolonged pressure on one area of the head or by muscular tightness such as congenital torticollis. Since the Back to Sleep campaign—which successfully reduced sudden infant death—the prevalence of positional plagiocephaly has increased significantly.
Most cases are mild and cosmetic; however, a growing body of research highlights that persistent plagiocephaly may be associated with developmental differences. A study by Miller & Clarren (2000) found that children with a history of deformational plagiocephaly were more likely to require special educational assistance later in childhood, suggesting subtle neurodevelopmental implications. Similarly, Collett et al. (2005) reported that infants with plagiocephaly performed lower on early developmental testing, particularly in motor coordination, visual-motor integration, and language milestones.
These findings do not imply that plagiocephaly directly causes developmental delay, but they do suggest it may serve as an early marker of neuromusculoskeletal or sensory-motor asymmetry during a critical period of brain and motor development. Supporting optimal movement and postural symmetry in infancy may therefore be important not just for head shape, but for whole-body development.
The Role of Neck Movement and the Spine
Restricted neck motion is one of the most common contributing factors in positional plagiocephaly. When a baby favours turning their head to one side, it reinforces uneven pressure on the skull and can perpetuate asymmetry.
In a prospective cohort study of 64 infants, Douglas, Browning & Miller (2016) found that gentle chiropractic adjustments to improve cervical motion resulted in significant improvements in both head symmetry and neck mobility. These findings suggest that restoring normal joint function and balanced muscle tone in the cervical spine may help reduce the underlying mechanical pattern contributing to flattening.
What the Research Says About Chiropractic and Conservative Care
Evidence supporting conservative, manual-therapy-based care for plagiocephaly continues to build:
Chiropractic case reports document improvements in head shape, cervical range of motion, and primitive reflex integration following gentle chiropractic care—often alongside helmet therapy or repositioning. For example, a case by Doyle (2020) described measurable improvements in head symmetry and parental satisfaction following co-managed chiropractic and orthotic therapy.
Another case report, Parker (2019), detailed improvements in a newborn’s ability to breastfeed, latch, and cranial symmetry following chiropractic care for associated jaw and neck tension.
Systematic evidence: A comprehensive review by Ellwood et al. (2020) synthesised data from multiple systematic reviews and found that manual therapy, repositioning, and physical therapeutic approaches are effective, safe, and well-tolerated interventions for positional plagiocephaly and congenital muscular torticollis when delivered by trained clinicians.
Developmental context: Studies such as Miller & Clarren (2000) and Collett et al. (2005) emphasise the importance of addressing asymmetry early, as persistent postural or sensory-motor imbalance may contribute to subtle differences in gross and fine motor outcomes.
Together, this evidence base supports chiropractic as a gentle, conservative adjunct that may enhance mobility, symmetry, and neuromotor function in infants with plagiocephaly.
My Approach at Pando Society
At Pando Society in Elwood, Melbourne, my focus is on gentle, research-informed care in a calm and supportive environment. Here’s how I typically approach plagiocephaly:
Comprehensive Assessment – Evaluating head symmetry, neck movement, primitive reflexes, tone, feeding, and sleep posture.
Collaborative Care – Working with physiotherapists, paediatricians, or orthotists when helmet therapy or co-management is required.
Gentle Manual Therapy – Applying age-appropriate chiropractic techniques using light, specific touch to improve cervical motion and relieve muscular tension.
Movement & Positioning Guidance – Encouraging tummy time, alternating head positions during sleep (following safe-sleep guidelines), and reducing prolonged pressure on one area.
Ongoing Monitoring – Tracking head symmetry, neck mobility, and developmental milestones over time.
Parental Support – Providing clear communication and practical tools for parents to continue progress at home.
Families from Elwood, St Kilda, Balaclava, Brighton, Elsternwick and Melbourne often find that combining chiropractic care with physiotherapy or helmet therapy offers the most comprehensive support.
Why Early Movement Matters for Development
Infant movement patterns directly influence how the brain maps the body—a process known as sensorimotor integration. When one side of the neck or body moves less freely, the developing brain receives unequal sensory feedback. Over time, this can subtly affect rolling, reaching, and crawling patterns, which form the foundation for later balance, coordination, and even aspects of visual-spatial awareness.
By restoring symmetrical neck motion and spinal balance, chiropractic care aims to improve sensory input and neuromuscular coordination, potentially supporting optimal developmental trajectories. While more longitudinal research is needed, early evidence supports this link between movement symmetry, head shape correction, and early motor skill development (Collett et al. 2005; Ellwood et al. 2020).
Important Considerations
Paediatric chiropractic techniques are gentle and specific, differing entirely from adult spinal manipulation.
Early intervention provides the best outcomes, as infants’ cranial and cervical structures are highly adaptive.
Always consult a chiropractor with paediatric-specific training and ensure open communication among your child’s healthcare providers.
Key Takeaway
Chiropractic care offers a gentle, evidence-informed approach to support infants with plagiocephaly. By improving neck mobility and postural symmetry, we can reduce uneven pressure on the skull and support healthy motor and sensory development.
If you’re in Elwood, St Kilda, Balaclava, Brighton, or Elsternwick and have noticed your baby favouring one head position or developing flattening, I’d love to help you explore gentle chiropractic options at Pando Society.
References
Douglas N., Browning M., Miller J. (2016). Chiropractic care for the cervical spine as a treatment for plagiocephaly: a prospective cohort study. Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics, 15(3).
Doyle M. (2020). Improvement in plagiocephaly, cervical range of movement, primitive reflexes, and subjective parental feedback in an infant co-managed with chiropractic care and helmet therapy: a case report and review of the literature. Asia-Pacific Chiropractic Journal, 1(2). Online
Ellwood J., Draper-Rodi J., Carnes D. (2020). The effectiveness and safety of conservative interventions for positional plagiocephaly and congenital muscular torticollis: a synthesis of systematic reviews and guidance.Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, 28(1):31. doi:10.1186/s12998-020-00321-w
Miller R.I., Clarren S.K. (2000). Long-term developmental outcomes in patients with deformational plagiocephaly. Pediatrics, 105(2).
Collett B., Breiger D., King D., Cunningham M., Speltz M. (2005). Neurodevelopmental implications of “deformational” plagiocephaly. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 26(5):379–389.
Parker M. (2019). Resolution of inability to latch, breastfeed, excessively recessed jaw & plagiocephaly in a newborn undergoing chiropractic care: a case report and review of literature. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic, 7.
