Flat Head & Plagiocephaly Treatment in Denver
Clinic visits in Central Park, home visits across Denver, and virtual care across Colorado. No referral needed in Colorado.Noticing a flat spot on the back or side of your baby’s head? Wondering if it will round out on its own, or whether your baby will need a helmet? These are some of the most common questions we hear from parents.
At Movevery, we look at why the flat spot is happening, not just the shape. Physical therapy is always our first step. With early, hands-on care and simple changes at home, many babies’ head shape improves without a helmet. If a helmet is needed, we support you through that too.
★★★★★ “She helped us learn more about our daughter’s positional preferences and long term planning… Well worth the time and investment.” — Sydney S.
Not sure yet? Book a free call
Understanding Plagiocephaly and Head Shape
Positional plagiocephaly is a flat spot that forms when a baby rests on the same part of the head again and again. Brachycephaly is flattening across the whole back of the head, which can make the head look wider. Both are common, and both are shaped by how your baby moves and rests.
Flat spots rarely happen on their own. Often there is a reason a baby prefers one position, such as neck tightness (torticollis), body tension from positioning in the womb or during birth, or limited time in varied positions. That is why we always address the root cause, not just the head shape.
Why the First 2–3 Months Matter
Your baby’s skull is softest and grows fastest in the first months of life. Starting support early, ideally in the first 2–3 months or even sooner, gives your baby the best chance for the head to round out on its own.
An early check can:
Measure head shape so you know where things stand
Find what is driving the flat spot, such as neck tightness or a strong position preference
Give you simple positioning, carrying, and play strategies to start right away
Help you decide, with clear information, whether a helmet evaluation is needed
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Your first visit is a 60-minute evaluation with Dr. Nicole Crippen Schremp, PT, DPT, PCS, a board-certified pediatric physical therapist. It can take place at our clinic in The Denver Village in Central Park, in your home in the Denver metro area, or virtually.
We talk through your baby’s birth history, feeding, sleep, and what you’ve been noticing
A gentle assessment of head shape, neck movement, and how your baby moves their whole body
Head shape measurements so we can track progress over time
A simple home plan with positioning, play, and carrying ideas you can start the same day
Clear next steps, including follow-up visits or a helmet evaluation if it is needed
No physician referral is needed in Colorado. Movevery is an out-of-network practice, and we provide a detailed superbill you can submit to your insurance.
★★★★★ “Nicole was beyond helpful and genuine from the get go… I couldn’t recommend her more.” — Shannon D.
Our Approach to Flat Head & Head Shape
PT always comes first. Our whole-body approach looks at why your baby favors one position and helps them move more freely, so the head has the best chance to round out naturally.
Gentle manual therapy to ease tension in the neck and body
Treatment for torticollis or neck tightness when it is part of the picture
Positioning, carrying, and play strategies that take pressure off the flat spot
Tummy time and floor play ideas matched to your baby’s age
Head shape measurements to track progress over time
Honest guidance on helmets: when one may help, and support through the process if it is needed
With early intervention and holistic care, many babies’ head shape improves without a helmet.
A baby’s soft skull can flatten when they always rest in one favorite position. Often something, like neck tightness, makes it hard to turn evenly. We treat that cause, not just the shape.
Signs of a Flat Head in Babies
Head Shape Changes You May Notice
Flattening on one side of the back of the head
Flattening across the whole back of the head
One ear appearing slightly forward compared to the other
Forehead appearing more prominent on one side
Head shape appearing uneven when viewed from above
Movement Patterns That Often Come With a Flat Spot
Always resting on the same area of the head
Strong preference to look in one direction
Head tilting to one side
Difficulty keeping the head centered when lying on the back
Difficulty with tummy time or collapsing to the same side
Rolling more easily to one side than the other
If you notice any of these signs, starting early gives your baby the best chance for the head to round out without a helmet.
★★★★★ “She is patient, caring, and extremely knowledgeable… gives us practical exercises to continue at home.” — Keren B.
Supporting Comfort, Confidence, and Healthy Growth
At Movevery, we believe parents deserve clarity and babies deserve comfort. Whether you’re seeking reassurance or support for a flat spot or head shape concerns, we’re here to help you understand your baby’s needs and feel confident moving forward.
Interested in learning more or getting started?
We’d love to support you and your baby during this important stage.
Soft Spot: What Parents Need to Know
SoftSpot for Parents
See what’s really happening, right at home
You see your baby every day, and tiny changes can be easy to miss. With SoftSpot, an FDA-cleared mobile app, you can monitor your baby's head shape right from home — with accurate measurements and easy-to-understand reports.
With SoftSpot you can:
Track your baby's head shape over time
Get accurate, objective measurements
Receive clear reports you can share with your healthcare professional
If you'd like me to review your baby's measurements and provide guidance, simply select me as your provider during setup.
No guessing. No waiting. Just clear, reliable insight during an important stage of growth.
How SoftSpot Works: A 3-step Process
1. Get your kit — Purchase your SoftSpot Home Kit and save 10% with code SoftSpot10.
2. Measure — Download the SoftSpot app and follow the guided steps to capture your baby's head shape at home.
3. Connect with me — Select me as your provider through SoftSpot Connect so I can review your measurements and guide your next steps.
https://connect.softspot.online/providers/KIiE13YZjnXtQ2OqiNP5kaD9tJj1
Want a Professional to Review the Results With You?
If you'd like help understanding your SoftSpot results or want personalized guidance, you can schedule an in-person visit or virtual consultation at Movevery.
Dr. Nicole will review your measurements with you, explain what the findings mean, and guide next steps, whether that's simple positioning changes, ongoing monitoring, or therapy support if needed.
A simple check. Real reassurance.
“I started working with Nicole when I noticed my infant would only sleep with his head turned one direction and I had concerns for flattening of his head. Nicole listened to my concerns and observations, but more importantly listened to my son and was able to tell where he had tension that was affecting his sleep position. After just 1 session he was able to sleep in a different position, something he hadn’t done in weeks.
Nicole made me feel heard, listened to my concerns, and empowered me as a caregiver. She was so gentle and calm with my son and moved at a pace that was guided by him. I would highly recommend Nicole for any parent or caregiver that has any therapy concerns and wants the best for their baby. Thank you Nicole!”
Pediatric Physical Therapy & Bodywork Services
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In-Home Pediatric Physical Therapy
Ideal for newborns and young infants receiving manual therapy for body tension, torticollis, reflux, or feeding challenges — observing your baby in their natural environment gives Dr. Nicole the most complete picture of how they move, feed, and settle throughout the day.
Perfect for families who:
Prefer therapy in a familiar environment
Have newborns or infants just starting milestones
Want to integrate therapy into daily routines
Need convenience + comfort
What’s included:
A PT comes to your home
Real-life movement practice (stairs, play,etc)
Personalized home set-up and positioning guidance
Parent and caregiver training
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Virtual Pediatric Physical Therapy (Colorado)
A strong option for milestone check-ins, torticollis home program support, and ongoing coaching between in-person visits — accessible no matter where you live in Colorado. Ideal for coaching-heavy care or follow-ups, all from the comfort of your home.
Great for:
Parents seeking expert guidance without travel
Families needing flexible scheduling
Check-ins or ongoing milestone support
Coaching to confidently support your child at home
What’s included:
Live 1:1 video sessions
Demonstrations using your home environment
Video examples, feedback, and tailored plans
Follow-up communication
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Clinic-Based Pediatric Physical Therapy
Well-suited for hands-on manual therapy treatment of torticollis, plagiocephaly, body tension, and feeding-related challenges — conditions that benefit from Dr. Nicole's full range of specialized equipment and a calm, focused environment.
Best for families who want:
Access to specialized equipment
A distraction-free setting
A consistent therapy routine
Guidance on strengthening, mobility, and coordination
What’s included:
1:1 sessions with a pediatric physical therapist
Play-based strengthening and mobility
Parent coaching & home strategies
Ongoing progress tracking
Frequently Asked Questions About Flat Head and Plagiocephaly
From whether a flat spot will go away on its own to when a helmet is needed, here is what families ask most.
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Some mild flat spots improve once babies start rolling and sitting, but many do not fully round out without help, especially when neck tightness or a strong position preference is driving them. Because the skull grows fastest in the first months of life, it is best to have a flat spot checked early rather than wait and see.
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Not always. PT is always our first step, and with early intervention and holistic care, many babies’ head shape improves without a helmet. If measurements show a more significant asymmetry, or progress stalls, we will talk with you about a helmet evaluation and support you through that process.
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As early as possible. Ideally we see babies in the first 2–3 months of life, or sooner if you notice a head preference or flat spot. Earlier care gives your baby the best chance for the head to round out without a helmet.
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Plagiocephaly is flattening on one side of the back of the head, often with one ear or one side of the forehead shifted forward. Brachycephaly is flattening across the whole back of the head, which makes the head look wider. Both are usually positional, and both respond well to early support.
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Often, yes. When neck tightness makes it hard for a baby to turn their head both ways, they tend to rest on the same spot, which can lead to flattening. Treating the torticollis is often key to improving head shape, so we always check for it.
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We use SoftSpot, an FDA-cleared app, to measure your baby’s Cranial Index (CI) and Cranial Vault Asymmetry Index (CVAI). We compare these numbers with published guidelines and repeat them over time to track progress. Families can also measure at home with a SoftSpot kit and share the results with us.