A standard plagiocephaly evaluation might look at the shape of the skull and recommend a helmet or repositioning, without asking why the baby has developed a positional preference in the first place. Craniosacral assessment adds an additional layer to that picture by evaluating the tension and mobility patterns in the membranes and bony structures of the skull and sacrum. When the bones of the skull did not fully decompress after a tight or difficult birth, or when the craniosacral rhythm is restricted on one side, the baby may be genuinely more comfortable in one head position than another — not just habitually favoring it, but physically unable to hold the other position without tension.
Dr. Bronstein incorporates craniosacral assessment into his plagiocephaly evaluations at Beacon Clinic of Chiropractic for San Luis Obispo infants because it allows him to identify and address these underlying patterns rather than simply responding to the visible shape of the skull. The assessment uses very light, still contact at the skull and sacrum to evaluate rhythm and mobility. What he finds during this assessment shapes the care approach — if there are craniosacral restrictions present, addressing them may give the baby significantly more freedom of head movement, which is the basis for natural reshaping. Families who want to understand this part of the evaluation in more detail are welcome to ask Dr. Bronstein to walk them through it during the consultation.
