amitymamaThe Attachment Parenting Community

twiceblessed · 09-07-2009, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by german_mama2yx

He explained it in basic terms to me that the plates in a kids skull can be moved and the head can be re-shaped over a period of time and that the ears in my sons case were the result of the plates not being in the right position.

We are going to attempt this next year with tax return, so that we have the co-pay covered. He believes so much in this, that he decided NOT to be part of a network/insurance plan, because he does not want to conform to their standards.

Oh, and he was the only Doc I ever met who was extremely accepting to alternative medicine and very supportive of it.

I would definitely find out if this was evidence-based prior to doing it.

AngelaJ · 09-07-2009, 01:38 PM

I don't know anything about expanders, other than my nephew having one, but we just got a quote last week for 5700. I about fell out! DD's teeth actually have plenty of room and are very straight, but she has an overjet. They want to use the Herbst(sp?) appliance, too......

Anyway, I'm freaking out about the cost right now, even though I know it needs to be done, we are not a wealthy family by any stretch. If I had the option to pay a grand now, to save several later, you betcha, I'd do it.

Erica · 09-07-2009, 05:58 PM

how long did he say it could take to get the ears to shift?

flamboozle · 09-07-2009, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twiceblessed

I would definitely find out if this was evidence-based prior to doing it.

In Europe and the rest of the world doctors are taught that there are movable joints between the bony plates of the head along suture lines. Through birth trauma or other physical knocks to the head things can be put out of alignment. Not everyone can get their dental problems corrected with Cranial Sacral Therapy but a lot of people can. A good practitioner should be able to tell you if some treatments will probably help your child. They need enough experience to do the intra-oral work effectively, you don't want someone green.

This is not considered mainstream or accepted by the medical establishment. That being said, I can tell some pretty incredible stories of other ailments it has helped in my children and myself. My Dentist here in Chicago is also a practitioner, I have gotten rid of my TMJ using this therapy (I had been diagnosed and suffered with it for 15 years). You can search for practitioners on the Upledger Institutes website - they also list years practicing.

If you like the alternative world this may be worth pursuing.

german_mama2yx · 09-07-2009, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twiceblessed

I would definitely find out if this was evidence-based prior to doing it.

It is not invasive.....not like surgery. I feel anything that is alternative is looked at with skeptisism, but i will never find out until we try it. Beats the $7500 dollars in surgery for DS ears and the several thousands for expanders plus surgery for the TMJ. I will give this a try first, spending $40 co-pay each visit compared to the $$$$ for surgery. It also is supposed to help with his TMJ (he seems to have developed issues with that and this therapy is used in Europe and now in the US also for that).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erica

how long did he say it could take to get the ears to shift?

I never talked in details to him about it, he took a look at him after I had previously talked to him about DS and when they came along to my session, he checked him out for quite a while and said that this is no problem. I am guessing a while, but I will ask him next time I see him what his estimation is.
I know for now I am planning to set enough money aside for about 20 sessions, because he has TMJ, Ears and then the issue with needing expanders and him wanting to give it a try too.

twiceblessed · 09-07-2009, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flamboozle

In Europe and the rest of the world doctors are taught that there are movable joints between the bony plates of the head along suture lines. Through birth trauma or other physical knocks to the head things can be put out of alignment. Not everyone can get their dental problems corrected with Cranial Sacral Therapy but a lot of people can. A good practitioner should be able to tell you if some treatments will probably help your child. They need enough experience to do the intra-oral work effectively, you don't want someone green.

This is not considered mainstream or accepted by the medical establishment. That being said, I can tell some pretty incredible stories of other ailments it has helped in my children and myself. My Dentist here in Chicago is also a practitioner, I have gotten rid of my TMJ using this therapy (I had been diagnosed and suffered with it for 15 years). You can search for practitioners on the Upledger Institutes website - they also list years practicing.

If you like the alternative world this may be worth pursuing.

How does the alternative world evaluate things scientifically? I've never heard so I'm curious. I'm assuming they have peer reviewed journals so that must mean they do research studies??

Erica · 09-10-2009, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twiceblessed

How does the alternative world evaluate things scientifically? I've never heard so I'm curious. I'm assuming they have peer reviewed journals so that must mean they do research studies??

if it works, it works!

all I know is homeopathy does double blind studies

Anyway, I'm actually interested in the whole ear/head shape thing...my 4yo has an odd-shaped head and ears that seem to stick out and be out of alignment with the rest of her head...hmmm. I'm going to call the one down the street and ask!

mandysmom · 11-04-2009, 05:12 PM

I know this is a little old but, did you get the expander? How did it go? I am just back from the ortho and they want to do top and bottom expanders in my 8 yo. Just trying to find out as much as possible.

wildflower · 11-07-2009, 01:14 AM

Oh, thanks for asking! Yes, she got it and we've had her 1 month check-up. Its going great, and I get to pay our small-by-comparison to some 980$ fee in tiny montly increments with no interest, so thats okay. The first 3 days some of her cheeks or gums near the new wires got little sores, but got better soon...if you do it, make sure they give you the little plastic free box of dental wax to cover any places that rub the first few days! But she's had no pain or even discomfort, and the ortho. said he could already see progress! After I posted here I saw a little clip in some parenting magazine that said kids who do early interventions such as palate expandsers spend and ave. of 1.5 years less in braces later.

Good luck!

nanci · 11-07-2009, 01:44 AM

Haven't read the responses....but I LOVE what the expander did for my dd. We have narrow palates and this opened it up. It's a bit painful. Izzi got her first at 8 and her 2nd at 11. Her teeth are beautiful and she gets her braces off in about 2 weeks!!!!