I know this is late but I want to tell you what happend with us. Our daughter was born with Torticollis as well. We didn't notice it until she was 2 months. Her head was starting to flatten on one side (Plagiocephaly) as well due to this.
We were given the option of doing PT and wait and see if her head rounds out or do both PT and get a Doc band. We chose both...and the result is GREAT! Yes we did have to pay out of pocket $3000 because ins would not pay (due to a clause specificly stating bands in our plan) for the reason you stated. Even though it was caused by a medical problem. If we would not of done anything our daughters face would of been pushed forward on one side. I couldnt live with that! I would of paid any amount of money to fix her.
My advice do the helmet! The longer you wait the harder it is to fix. She was in it for only 2 1/2 months and only needed one band. There is still a slight flattening on the back of her head but no one can tell but us. She got used to it very quickly...never caused her any problems. I even decorated it so it wouldnt look so medical.
If you would like more info on our experience and I can even show you the band she had to help with your decision.
The little girl I watch was a preemie and suffered flattening on the back of her head so much so that it started to cone. Her mom didnt want to do the band but I strongly reccomened it. Her ins did pay (lucky them) but she is so glad that she did do it. They went with a Star Band.
Good luck!
Hello! I am a 26 year year old that have dealt with torticolis and want to share my experience. MY neck was not severe by any means. To the point my parents had no idea I had it until I got older. However in middle school kids would notice and ask me why I leaned my head to the left. Some inter city kids would make fun of me. Finally my parents and I made the decision to have surgery. I was in the hospital for a few days getting my equilibrium adjusted while my neck healed where they cut the muscle on one side to stretch it out. For a few months I had to wear a neck brace. It looked almost like a car accident neck brace. The recovery was rough. However without the surgery I don't think I would have seen the results that I was looking for. I have a tiny scar on my collar bone and one behind my ear. No one even notices it.
Occasionally throughout the years I notice that my shoulder will raise a bit and I make sure to do little stretch here and there. I also try and see a physical therapist every 4 years to get a "good" stretch in.
The reason we did the surgery is because we worried the older I got the muscle would become more "tight". You can only do so much stretching which then is just plain annoying. I can provide pictures if anyone would like to see what I looked like before, after and now.
I hope this helps and please let me know if you have any questions.
Lauren
Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with me, I feel more confident about the therapy, I’m hoping we don’t have to go the helmet route, they are very exspensive, and what makes me upset is insurance companies, won’t cover the cost, they consider it as cosmetic, hello, I think that’s just wrong.