Understanding Flat-Head Syndrome and How Chiropractic Care Can Help

Many parents notice a slight flat spot or uneven shape on their baby’s head and feel unsure what it means. This common condition, called plagiocephaly, happens when a baby’s soft skull moulds unevenly, often from spending long periods lying in one position or favouring one side when turning their head.

In most cases, it doesn’t affect brain growth or development. But it can be a sign that a baby’s neck movement is limited or that one side is working a little harder than the other. That’s where gentle, informed care makes a difference.

Julie and I see many babies each year with mild to moderate plagiocephaly.

Our role is to:

• Assess how the neck and head are moving

• Check the baby’s overall development

• Support parents with clear, practical advice.

The skull is flexible and responsive in the first few months of life, so early care and simple positioning changes often lead to good results.

Julie recently attended a seminar in Queensland where Dr Mike Marinus presented in detail on plagiocephaly and how to manage it. Mike Marinus is a chiropractor with a master’s degree in paediatric musculoskeletal care and a Fellow of the Royal College of Chiropractors. His work has focused on improving care for infants with head-shape asymmetry and related neck restriction. He developed a detailed clinical framework for assessment and hands-on support, outlined in his book Head Start – A Practitioner’s Guide to Hands-On Care for Plagiocephaly and Torticollis.

At the Queensland seminar, Mike shared new insights on identifying early signs of cranial asymmetry, recognising when the issue is structural versus positional, and understanding when gentle manual therapy can help. He also spoke about how chiropractors, physiotherapists, and parents can work together to encourage balanced movement and healthy skull development. Julie found this conference extremely valuable and has since incorporated many of Dr Marinus’s practical suggestions into how we assess and support our little patients.

When we see a baby with plagiocephaly, our first step is to understand what is contributing to the head shape. We look at how the neck turns, how the baby prefers to lie or feed, and how much time they spend in one position. Gentle chiropractic care aims to restore normal movement and comfort, not to reshape the head directly but to remove the barriers that stop natural correction.

At home, we often recommend:

• More tummy time

• Alternating feeding sides

• Changing how the baby is carried

• Making sure their environment encourages movement both ways

Parents usually find it reassuring to know that the earlier we start observing and adjusting these patterns, the easier it is for the skull to even out naturally as the baby grows and becomes more active.

If you’re worried about your baby’s head shape or notice they tend to look one way more than the other, it’s worth having a professional assessment. Julie and I are always happy to take a look, explain what we see, and outline simple steps to help.

If you have questions or would like to book your baby for an assessment, please contact our practice. Early support helps ensure your baby develops freely and comfortably.

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Dr Mark has a special interest in helping recreational athletes of all ages perform better and prevent injury. Correct breathing and postural alignment are critical for top performance and injury prevention and is an integral part of “The Over 40 Athlete System” that Mark has developed.

Dr Julie has a special interest in helping mothers and “mothers to be”. Her Post Graduate qualifications in Paediatric Chiropractic and as an ex-midwife give her a unique ability to help pregnant women, new mums and their young children.

Yours in Health,

Dr's Mark & Julie