How Physical Therapy can help your child
It’s true that the vast majority of patients that Physical Therapists see are adults, and often when we see children it tends to be for things like sports related injuries, but there are so many things that Physical Therapists can do for pediatric patients that go well beyond sports. In fact, Physical Therapist work with children from birth on to help restore or improve their mobility and enhance their quality of life.
What pediatric conditions can be treated with Physical Therapy?
Below is a list of some of the conditions that we see more frequently, however there is a very wide array of conditions that can see improvement with pediatric physical therapy.
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Blount Disease
- Balance and Vestibular Disorders
- Birth Defects and Complications
- Bowel and Bladder Incontinence
- Cerebral Palsy
- Complications of Prematurity
- Concussion
- Container Baby Syndrome
- Contracture of tendons
- Down Syndrome
- Developmental Delays or Disabilities
- Gait Abnormalities
- Genetic Disorders
- Impaired Gross Motor Coordination
- Infant Prematurity
- Juvenile Dystrophy
- Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Neuromuscular problems
- Orthopedic related conditions
- Scoliosis
- Spina bifida
- Spinal cord injury
- Spinal Muscular Atrophy
- Torticollis
- Visual Difficulties
***How is pediatric Physical Therapy different from regular Physical Therapy?
Pediatric Physical Therapy takes on a different style by incorporating play into therapy. In order for children to gain strength, improve balance, and improve function, and be challenged to begin crawling and walking they need stimulation through play, social interaction, and sensory stimulation with different surfaces.
What are the benefits of sending my child to Physical Therapy?
When sending your children to pediatric Physical Therapy, they are challenged by movement specialists in order to progress safely towards greater functional mobility. They will be challenged in all areas (strength, range of motion, balance, etc.) while also incorporating their personal interests and appropriate behaviors during tasks for things such as school-readiness.
What is the overall goal of pediatric Physical Therapy?
The overall goal is to have each child develop to be able to function consistent with developmental milestones consistent with their particular age and beyond.
What clinics offer Pediatric Physical Therapy?
We offer Pediatric Physical Therapy at each clinic, with a majority of patients being seen in the Perryville, Ste. Genevieve, and Bloomsdale locations. Typically, if you are given a referral for Pediatric Physical Therapy, you will be seen at either of these clinics.
What is my role in my child’s Physical Therapy?
Parents and guardians have a very active role in pediatric Physical Therapy through engaging in their child’s exercises and treatment. They are the essential component to the carryover of exercises and activities given to their child in their home exercise program, and is essential to the progress each child will make with Physical Therapy. If the exercises are not carried out at home, the child will make some progress, but not nearly the amount of progress that can be seen when a parent is engaged with the child’s Physical Therapy program as well. Pediatric Physical Therapy is a teamwork world where the therapists and the parents work together in order to further progress the child towards the main goal of developing consistent with their age-related peers.
If you would like to know if your child can benefit from pediatric Physical Therapy talk with your doctor or contact Mid America Rehab for a free screening.