Pediatric physical therapy and your child

Parents want the best for their children, and regularly visiting a pediatrician is a big part of making sure they grow up healthy. Yet, some issues need more specialized care than your pediatrician can offer, especially if your child needs help improving strength and mobility. That's when pediatric physical therapy (PT) can help.

The goal of pediatric physical therapy

Physical therapy usually helps adults overcome injury or heal from surgery. Pediatric physical therapists do the same for young patients, but physical therapy services for children provide more benefits.

With pediatric PT, the goal isn't always to regain function. PT may help children gain function for the first time, help children overcome a physical delay, or help improve a child's quality of life when he or she has a congenital condition (a condition present at birth).

With pediatric PT, the goal of therapy is as unique as the child. PT depends on the child's specific needs, but ultimately, it helps children gain as much movement and mobility as possible so they can better perform tasks of daily living. Based on your child's needs, a therapist may prescribe PT to:

● Improve gross motor function. Motor function is the ability to make big movements on purpose. If your child needs help moving arms or legs, gross motor training helps.

● Increase balance, strength, and coordination. Various conditions make these tasks difficult. PT empowers children to walk, increase coordination, and perform other movement-based activities.

● Teach motor planning. Motor planning is understanding and performing the steps for physical tasks such as kicking a ball. Although many take this skill for granted, others need help learning it through pediatric PT.

Pediatric physical therapy services

Children in PT have wide-ranging needs. Some children need help developing muscle tone. Others need help managing pain. And others need a combination of services.

It all starts with an evaluation. This allows the therapist to view a child's status firsthand. Therapists then get to work, helping children increase function and more.

Some of the services provided during PT include:

• Ambulation training to increase mobility or correct improper gait or walking technique
• Aquatic therapy
• Biofeedback and electrical stimulation
• Evaluation and treatment of orthopedic issues
• Fitness training to increase muscle tone, flexibility, and strength
• Neck strengthening for children with torticollis
• Recovery and pain relief from trauma, fracture, or surgery
• Training to use braces and adaptive equipment
• Wheelchair and orthotic clinics

To help children progress, pediatric physical therapists also work with parents. Therapists teach parents exercises they can do at home. They also educate parents on safety and injury prevention.

Why children need pediatric physical therapy

There are many reasons a child could benefit from pediatric PT.

Pediatric PT can help with the following conditions:

• Autism, if the condition causes mobility issues
• Cerebral palsy
• Gait or other walking difficulties
• Concussion or another head injury
• Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
• Leukemia
• Muscular dystrophy
• Obesity
• Sports-related or other physical trauma
• Spina bifida
• Toe walking
• Torticollis

A child-friendly approach

Providing PT to children requires a special touch. Therapists must take special care to know their patients and treat them in ways they appreciate. This means being kind and using words children understand. It also means having the right tools and techniques.

Autism and other conditions can make communication difficult for young patients. When children can't speak clearly, this presents a challenge in their care. Physical therapists use child-friendly language and work closely with the patient and parent, as well as the speech therapist when they are involved in the child's care, to make sure they are communicating in ways the patient can understand.

Communication isn't the only obstacle to pediatric PT. Sometimes, even the most communicative children don't want to go to therapy. After all, it can be demanding, and there are more fun things to do. Physical therapists know this and work hard to make therapy enjoyable. They encourage children along the way, so they'll want to continue. Additionally, pediatric physical therapists use play as part of therapy when possible.

As a result, young patients listen to their therapists and follow their instructions. Over time, they make progress. Once they reach their milestones, they continue to push ahead. This leads to maximum growth, function, and development.

Reid Health is home to the region's largest freestanding pediatric therapy facility, offering pediatric physical, occupational, and speech therapy under one roof. Learn more about our children's therapy offerings.