About Dr. Anthony Pellegrino
Pediatric chiropractor (DC, DACCP, CSSPP, CSCPP, CBS) focused on cranial development, the upper cervical spine, and infant nervous-system care. Host of The Cranial Doc.
Why this site exists
Most of what parents find online about infant head shape is either commercial (helmet clinics with a product to sell) or dismissive ("it usually resolves on its own, just monitor it"). Neither of those serves a parent who is actually trying to make a good decision for their baby.
I built Little Roots to be the calm middle. Clinical, parent-respectful, and grounded in what cranial-trained chiropractors actually see in practice every day. The goal is for a parent to land on this site at 11pm with a measurement sheet in their hand, and walk away with a clearer picture of what the numbers mean, what the options are, and what the right next conversation looks like.
Training and credentials
- DC — Doctor of Chiropractic
- DACCP — Diplomate of the Academy of Chiropractic Pediatrics
- CSSPP — Certified Spinal Pediatric Practitioner
- CSCPP — Certified Spinal and Cranial Pediatric Practitioner
- CBS — Certified Breastfeeding Specialist
The DACCP is the highest credential available in pediatric chiropractic, requiring several hundred hours of postgraduate clinical training and a board examination. The CSCPP adds specific training in pediatric cranial work. Together with the breastfeeding specialist certification, these credentials reflect the full clinical picture a pediatric chiropractor needs to assess infant patients well: the spine, the cranial bones, and the feeding mechanics that connect to both.
Clinical focus
My practice focuses on three areas where neurologically-based chiropractic and craniopathic care make a measurable difference for infants and young children:
Cranial development. This is where head shape changes, palate development, and airway formation all converge. Early, focused care during the growth window often resolves patterns that would otherwise persist for years.
The upper cervical spine. Birth-related strain on the upper neck is one of the most under-recognized drivers of infant symptoms, from feeding difficulty and reflux to torticollis and restless sleep.
Infant nervous-system care. Many of the patterns parents bring to my office (regulation challenges, sleep difficulty, sensory issues) reflect a nervous system that needs support, not a behavior problem.
How content on this site is written and reviewed
Every page on Little Roots is reviewed against a clinical-claims registry that defines what each topic can and cannot say. The registry includes phrasing bounds (what the page can claim) and prohibited phrasings (claims the page must never make). Every page has a "last reviewed" date, and any page that drifts from the registry is held until it is brought back in line. See the editorial policy for the full process.
Some drafts are AI-assisted. All drafts are reviewed by me before they go live. Citations are real and include DOIs where available. When the published research does not support a stronger claim, the page reflects that, even if the more cautious framing is less satisfying to read.
This is the same standard I would want for content I read about my own kids.
The Cranial Doc
I also host The Cranial Doc, a podcast and educational resource aimed primarily at chiropractors who want to develop the cranial skills that this work requires. If you are a chiropractor and the content on this site looks like the kind of clinical depth you want to bring to your own practice, thecranialdoc.com is the next step.
Contact
For clinical questions about your own baby, your chiropractor is the right person to ask. For questions about this site, the content, or media inquiries, you can reach me at dranthony@thecranialdoc.com.
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