File - DOCvsSTAR.txt

The number one question asked by new members is what's the difference
between the DOCband and the STARband.

The #1 difference between the 2 products is the training the
clinician who'll be treating your baby has rec'd. DOCband made by
Cranial Technologies, is the ONLY product that company makes and is
the ONLY product their OT's & PT's treat. This is their specialty.
Each & every clinician who works for Cranial Technologies has to go
thru a several wk training process PRIOR to being allowed to treat
plagio babies w/their products. After that, they are monitored by
Cranial Tech's home office pretty closely. They also attend 2
updates each year at their home office in Phoenix - kinda refresher
courses. This is their specialty & the DOCband has paved the way for
many other plagio helmets/bands today, like the STARband. You can
get info on the DOCband at www.cranialtech.com Cranial Tech has
several locations throughout the country but their clinics are
limited, basically so they can keep a close & watchful eye on their
product. The STARband, made by Orthomerica (www.orthomerica.com)
looks similar to the DOCband and works on the same principals.
However, Orthomerica is a leader in orthotic & prosthetic products,
the STARband is not their only product. Also, orthotists, are not
required to get extra training on the STARband prior to being allowed
to treat plagio babies w/it. They do have a course on plagio &
helmets in their orthotist school, but it's not to the extent of
Cranial Techs. Orthomerica does offer an educational course on their
STARband to orthotists, however & unfortunately, it is not required
that orthos attend these classes, it's voluntary. Which is why we
all cannot stress enough the value and importance of finding an
experienced orthotist to treat the STARband. If you find a good
ortho, the band can be an absolutely wonderful product, as many
members in our group will tell you. However, in the wrong hands, the
STARband (as well as any other brand or helmet), can do more harm
than good.Bottom line, is drill your potential STARband
orthotist. There's a list of questions at

www.plagiocephaly.org/support "questions for the dr". Feel free to
ask for references and before & after pics of any babies he/she has
treated. Again, it can be a wonderful product, as long as it's in
the right hands. There is a comparision chart in the files section.