Cranial Technologies

I could have not had a more opposite opinion and experience from the other reviewer. First, let me say that I was about as anti-​helmet as you could get. My husband and I were at odds about if my son should get a DocBand (helmet) and we went to Cranial Tech to get the free consultation and images to help make our decision. The first specialist examined the images and our son and laid out the positives and negatives of having a helmet and not having one. She allowed us to make the choice for ourselves outside of the clinic, not pressuring us to make a decision on the spot. We decided to roll the dice and give it a go. The insurance consultants they have also are the friendliest people I have ever experienced when it comes to health insurance and helped answer all of my questions without making me feel like an idiot. We were in the helmet for four months, and toward the end, they recommended a second band. I felt skeptical, did my son really need this? I discussed it with my pediatrician, who spoke with additional cranial specialists at Dell Children’s Medical center who seconded the diagnosis. We have now completed 8 months in two separate helmets and my son’s head is beautiful (not that it wasn’t before), but I know he won’t face the struggles of needing special bicycle or sports helmets later in life. The staff at this clinic are some of the most friendly you’ll ever meet. I cried the day we got our first helmet on, and Jessica, our amazing specialist, gave me a hug right there in the office. In a time where health practices can be so transactional, this was so refreshing.
If you’re wondering if you need the helmet, just go do the consultation, listen to what they have to say and decide if it’s right for your family. Talk to your pediatrician, share the images, and make the best decision for you. For us, it was the right decision and even though I was anti-​helmet from the start, I couldn’t be more happy that we had our son go to Cranial Tech. Thank you to the entire Cranial Tech team, Jessica, Theresa, Kelsey and many, many more!

Horrible! I was recommended by a pediatrician because she thought my 4 month old (2 months preemie) might need a helmet. I was told that I would get a free consultation and advice on how to fix my LO’s flat spot at home to prevent needing a helmet. I set up my appointment and was seen quickly with little wait time. The nurse that scanned my son’s head was amazing but the lady that gave us the information about helmets seemed pushy about getting the helmet. She never gave us advice about ways to try to fix his flat spot at home. She said that we needed a helmet right away, told us how long he would need to wear it, what the next steps are in the process, and told us that he could be injured in sports when he gets older if we don’t do this now. We were told that his head WILL NOT fix on it’s own (even though 3 other pediatricians said that it would). Plus, there was already improvement in just a few days before the appointment since my LO started holding up his head and sleeping on his stomach. Something just didn’t feel right about this place. I ended up going to Hanger Pediatrics Orthopedics and Prosthetics for a second opinion and sure enough I was told:#1 He is too young for a helmet (being 2 months preemie put him at 3 months old not 5 months old which is how old he was at his appointment with Hanger). Starting a helmet too soon could cause him to need to wear 2 helmets. #2: It’s not that severe (even though they came up with the exact same measurements) and can be fixed at home just with rotating the sides that he sleeps on. I’m very disappointed with Cranial Technologies and feel like they are more concerned about prescribing helmets even when not necessary.