Do you have a child that might benefit from paediatric physiotherapy? Are you looking for a way to help them improve their gross motor, fine motor and speech skills?
Physiotherapy traditionally treats adults with pain, injuries and physical disabilities. However, it can also benefit children with developmental delays or recover from an illness or injury.
By working with a child’s parents, physiotherapists can help build confidence in the child’s abilities and teach practical life skills.
For the effective rehabilitation of children, paediatric physiotherapy plays an essential role. This therapy is designed specifically for kids who need medical attention related to joint disorders, muscular movement issues or any other kind of physical impairment.
Let’s look at paediatric physiotherapy and how it can help your little one reach their potential.
What is paediatric physiotherapy?
Skilled paediatric and baby physiotherapists support your child as they explore their body, honing in on movement that allows them to discover a new world.
Specialising in infants’ and newborns’ musculoskeletal conditions, paediatric physiotherapists are knowledgeable professionals on typical developmental motor milestones.
Through playful exploration, we evaluate your child’s capability and postural movements. Then, our developmental programs empower parents and guardians to assist their children in reaching age-appropriate milestones.
It is not uncommon for parents or caregivers to experience the following developmental concerns:
- Clumsiness.
- Children who have trouble jumping, hopping, throwing, and catching.
- A lower capacity for tummy time.
- Adoption of various movement patterns, such as bottom shuffling, ‘W’ sitting, and toe walking.
- Rolling, sitting, crawling, or walking is delayed.
Furthermore, paediatric physiotherapists are knowledgeable about the musculoskeletal conditions that affect newborns and infants.
Among the most common musculoskeletal conditions are:
- Reduced muscle tone.
- A preference for the head.
- Muscle tension in the neck (Torticollis).
- The shape of the head changes (plagiocephaly, brachycephaly and scaphocephaly).
- Hypermobility.
- Concerns about foot position (Positional Talipes and Metatarsus adductus).
Why do children need physiotherapy?
Physiotherapists strive to reduce discomfort and assist children in resuming their regular activities following an injury. To help build up strength, flexibility, and mobility again, they instruct kids on a variety of exercises as well as inform families about prevention techniques for potential injuries later on.
Paediatric physiotherapists focus on helping children reach their potential by working on their gross motor, fine motor and speech skills. They specialise in providing rehabilitation for those with physical disabilities or developmental delays and aiding in recovering illnesses or injuries.
Typical benefits of paediatric physiotherapy
- Corrects posture and augments reflexes of young ones.
- Move more comfortably and efficiently by honing in on standard movement patterns.
- Strengthen gross motor skills.
- It helps in addressing learning difficulties.
- Enhances muscle balance and muscle strength.
- Assists in alleviating respiratory complications.
- Develops balance and coordination.
- Enhances range of motion.
- Improves muscle tone.
- Enhances functional mobility.
- Improves gait training.
Who needs paediatric physiotherapy?
Paediatric physiotherapy services extend to children from infants up until 19 years of age, providing expertise in orthopaedics, congenital malformations, neurology and neuropsychiatry. We also specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of developmental delay as well as neuromotor or breathing-related issues for premature babies.
Do you notice your baby displaying floppy or weak movements? Are their actions wobbly, jerky, shaky or out of control? Is there difficulty with gross motor skills and development regarding balance and coordination? If so, these are signs that should not be ignored.
Paediatric physiotherapy can help your child overcome their physical challenges. Through strength and conditioning, children can build the muscles they need to move more freely. Moreover, education on proper form and technique assists in preventing potential injuries.
Furthermore, physiotherapists provide advice on how to use different equipment. This helps to promote independence and keep kids safe while doing activities such as walking, running and jumping.
If you observe any of the signs above, consult a paediatric physiotherapist for an evaluation to determine what support your child needs.
Physiotherapy services for kids
Physiotherapy services to children include:
- Early detection of movement problems.
- Development and milestone screening.
- Increasing movement abilities.
- Neurological conditions and developmental delays are treated (e.g. cerebral palsy, Down syndrome).
- Infant orthopaedic conditions are evaluated (e.g. flat head shape, talipes).
- Evaluation of gait disturbances in children (e.g. toe walking, in-toeing, bowed legs).
- Rehabilitation after surgery or injury.
- Musculoskeletal pain.
Final thoughts on paediatric physiotherapy
Paediatric physiotherapy can make a massive difference in the lives of children and their families. It can help children improve their strength, coordination, balance, endurance and daily functioning.
Our paediatric physiotherapists at Hub And Spoke Health will come to your home and treat your child in their natural environment, avoiding the need for you to visit a clinic or hospital.
It can help them reach new heights in their development and achieve greater independence and self-confidence. So if your child is experiencing physical or motor difficulties – take action today!
Book an appointment with us today! Our team of experts will lead you down the best treatment path for your kid’s condition.
