Chiropractic Care for Plagiocephaly (Flat Head Syndrome) in Poway

If one side of your baby’s head looks flatter than the other, or their ears and forehead look uneven, your pediatrician may have mentioned plagiocephaly, often called flat head syndrome. At Activate Chiropractic in Poway, Dr. Derek Libby provides gentle care that helps babies turn their heads freely in both directions, which is the key to taking pressure off the flattened side. This page explains what plagiocephaly is, why it develops, how chiropractic care may help, and what a first visit looks like. It is part of our care for infants and children.

Plagiocephaly, commonly known as “flat head syndrome,” occurs when a baby’s head develops an uneven or flattened shape. This may appear as one side of the back of the head being flatter than the other, or as asymmetry in the forehead, ears, or facial features. In many cases, babies with plagiocephaly also show a preference for turning their head in one direction, which can make feeding or positioning more challenging.

Plagiocephaly most often develops when a baby spends long periods of time in the same position. Because an infant’s skull bones are still soft and malleable, pressure from resting in one direction—such as always lying on the back or looking to one side—can gradually affect head shape. Other contributing factors may include:

• Limited neck mobility from torticollis (tight neck muscles)
• Premature birth, where babies have softer skulls and spend more time lying down in the NICU
• A preferred sleeping or feeding position
• Restricted space in the womb or birth trauma that leads to tension in the head and neck

Although many cases are mild, plagiocephaly can become more noticeable if left unaddressed. This can sometimes contribute to difficulties with vision, hearing, feeding, or overall comfort.

Chiropractic care for infants with plagiocephaly focuses on reducing tension and improving mobility in the neck and spine. When a baby has restrictions in the cervical spine or tightness in certain muscles, it often leads to positional preferences—favoring one side when lying down, feeding, or turning the head. Over time, this uneven pressure can influence head shape.

Gentle, specific chiropractic adjustments—designed specifically for infants—help restore proper motion to the spine and reduce muscle tightness. This makes it easier for babies to move their heads freely in both directions, distributing pressure more evenly across the skull.

Chiropractic care may support plagiocephaly management by:

• Encouraging balanced head movement: Restoring motion in the neck allows babies to turn their head comfortably to both sides.
• Relieving muscle tension: Addressing tight muscles reduces pulling on the skull and supports more symmetrical development.
• Supporting nervous system function: A well-functioning nervous system helps babies feed, move, and grow more easily.
• Providing guidance for parents: Chiropractors often share at-home positioning tips, tummy time strategies, and gentle stretches to encourage continued progress.

Parents often notice improvements such as greater comfort during feeding, more balanced head-turning, less fussiness in certain positions, and gradual improvement in head shape. In some cases, chiropractic care can complement other approaches such as physical therapy, repositioning techniques, or (when needed) helmet therapy, giving babies the best opportunity to grow and thrive.

Chiropractic care does not replace your pediatrician. If your baby has a fever, is vomiting, is not gaining weight, or you are worried for any reason, please see your pediatrician first.

Your first visit starts with a conversation. Dr. Libby will ask about your pregnancy, the birth, feeding, sleep, and what your baby’s hard moments look like. He then does a gentle, hands-on assessment of your baby’s spine and nervous system. Adjustments use light fingertip pressure, and most babies stay calm or even fall asleep during care.

Before you leave, you will know what he found, what he recommends, and how often he would like to see your baby. You do not need a referral, and we are glad to work alongside your pediatrician.

Infant adjustments are nothing like adult adjustments. There is no twisting or cracking. Dr. Libby uses light fingertip pressure, about the amount you would use to check whether a peach is ripe. He has advanced training in pediatric and prenatal chiropractic care and is Webster certified.

No. Adjustments work on the neck and spine so your baby can move their head comfortably to both sides. More even head movement takes pressure off the flat side, and the skull then rounds out on its own as your baby grows.

Some babies with more pronounced flattening are fitted with a helmet by their pediatrician or a specialist. Chiropractic care can sit alongside helmet therapy, repositioning, and tummy time; it does not replace them.

Earlier is easier. The skull is most responsive in the first months of life, so if you notice a flat spot or a strong head-turning preference, it is worth having your baby assessed soon rather than waiting.

No referral is needed. We encourage families to keep their pediatrician informed, and we are happy to work alongside them.

• Torticollis
• Developmental delays
• Colic and excessive fussiness
• Chiropractic care for infants and children
• Meet Dr. Derek Libby

At Activate Chiropractic, we provide gentle, neurologically focused care to help babies with plagiocephaly move with greater ease, reduce tension, and support healthy head and neck development. Activate Chiropractic is at 12237 Poway Road in Poway, serving families from Poway, Rancho Bernardo, 4S Ranch, Scripps Ranch, Carmel Mountain Ranch, and Ramona.

Prefer to talk first? Call us at 858-486-3400.