Physical therapy is often associated with the elderly, adults, and athletes recovering from an injury. Did you know that children, even infants, require physical therapy treatment? For a child suffering from physical disability or developmental delays, it’s almost always the best solution.
From learning to walk up steps to using a spoon at dinner, pediatric physical therapy could be the answer to some of your child’s most challenging tasks. Read on to find out more!
What is Pediatric Physical Therapy
Pediatric physical therapy is a “specialized area of rehabilitation that focuses on improving function in young children and babies. Physical therapy (PT) is often provided by a physical therapist who specializes in pediatrics.”
Who Qualifies for Pediatric Physical Therapy?
Patients requiring pediatric physical therapy often range from infants to teenage competitive athletes, specifically 0 to 18 years of age, and young adults with childhood disorders.
What Does Pediatric Physical Therapy Treat?
There are a variety of childhood disorders that can be treated with pediatric physical therapy.
- Cerebral palsy (CP)
- Developmental delay
- Torticollis (neck in a twisted condition)
- Sports or play-related injuries
- Autism
- Toe walking
- Spina bifida
- Muscular dystrophy
- Hypotonia (muscle weakness)
- Down syndrome
In addition to these, physical therapy can treat a number of orthopedic and sports-related injuries like scoliosis, back pain, fractures, and recovery from orthopedic surgeries.
What Does Pediatric Physical Therapy Do?
Pediatric physical therapy assists children with injuries, illnesses, or developmental delays to grow and prosper.
The immediate and long-term goal is to strengthen muscular movement and mobility through a variety of stretches and exercises. While therapy focuses on the physical development of patients, it will also build confidence in the child as they continue to progress.
What Does Treatment Look Like?
Children are not as attuned to the reality of physical therapy, and often do not understand why they are being treated. As a result, the employment of play, family involvement, and one-on-one care is vital to pediatric care. Fun and motivational exercises are incorporated to make therapy enjoyable for the child.
How Do We Help?
Our physical therapists work with your child from beginning to end, helping them build strength, flexibility, and increase overall balance. We’ll take your child’s health, developmental stage, and temperament into consideration when creating an adaptive plan to treat them personally.
While not all injuries or illnesses are curable, there are preventive measures you can take today to improve their life tomorrow.
Call Country Roads Physical Therapy Today!
Opening its doors in 2021, the Country Roads Physical Therapy Clinic in Whitehall is continuing its history of hometown physical therapy service.
With a commitment to patient wellness and health, residents of the Whitehall area will now have access to the same state-of-the-art physical therapy equipment and services as our other locations. The goal of Country Roads Physical Therapy is to improve your quality of life, and no one does it better than us.
Ready to schedule an appointment? Call us at (304)816-3169 and make an appointment with our expert therapists and physicians today!