What Is Pediatric Physical Therapy?

Pediatric physical therapy is a specialized branch of physical therapy that focuses on the evaluation, treatment, and management of various conditions affecting children’s physical development, mobility, and overall well-being.

What Do Pediatric Physical Therapists Do?

Addressing developmental issues in childhood can prevent long-term challenges and significantly enhance a child’s quality of life. As pediatric physical therapists, we work closely with families to create personalized treatment plans that cater to the child’s specific needs.

What Conditions Can Be Treated With Pediatric Physical Therapy?

Pediatric physical therapy can be beneficial for children with a wide range of conditions, including but not limited to:

• Neurological Disorders: Cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, and other neuromuscular disorders.
• Developmental Delays: Delays in reaching developmental milestones, such as sitting, crawling, walking, or coordination issues.
• Orthopedic Conditions: Fractures, sprains, amputations, and congenital musculoskeletal abnormalities.
• Toe Walking: It’s normal for kids to walk on their toes while they are learning to walk, but persistent toe walking in kids over the age of two may indicate an underlying neurological or orthopedic condition.
• Respiratory Conditions: Cystic fibrosis, asthma, and other respiratory disorders that may impact mobility and endurance.
• Genetic Disorders: Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, and other genetic conditions that affect physical development and function.
• Injuries: Sports-related injuries, traumatic brain injuries, or other accidents that result in physical impairments.
• Premature Birth: Preterm infants often require physical therapy to address developmental delays and potential complications.
• Torticollis: Also known as wryneck or twisted neck, this is a condition where the neck muscles cause the head to twist and tilt to one side. Torticollis is a fairly common condition in babies, infants and children. It can be congenital or acquired.

In addition, many children present with muscle weakness (hypotonia) and developmental coordination disorder without a formal diagnosis. In these cases, we can offer treatment plans to support your child’s development while you pursue a diagnosis.

How Is Pediatric Physical Therapy Different From Regular PT?

While the fundamental principles of physical therapy remain the same, pediatric physical therapy differs from regular physical therapy in several ways:

Age-Specific Approach

Pediatric physical therapists are trained to work with children of all ages, from newborns to adolescents. We understand the developmental milestones and age-appropriate activities for each stage, allowing them to tailor their interventions accordingly.

Specialized Techniques

Pediatric physical therapy employs techniques and equipment specifically designed for children. These may include play-based activities, therapeutic games, and child-friendly exercises that make therapy more engaging and enjoyable for our young patients.

Family Involvement

Families play a crucial role in a child’s development and recovery process. We provide education and guidance to parents and caregivers on how to continue therapy at home and school.

Multidisciplinary Collaboration

We work closely with other healthcare professionals, such as occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and developmental pediatricians, to provide comprehensive care for children with complex needs.

Developmental Focus

While regular physical therapy aims to restore function, pediatric physical therapy focuses on facilitating and optimizing a child’s overall development, including gross and fine motor skills, cognitive abilities, and social-emotional well-being.

Support And Advocacy

Your child’s treatment is not limited to their physical therapy sessions and at-home exercises. Pediatric physical therapists also provide family support including coordination of services, advocacy, and assistance with enhancing development.

At What Age Can My Child Start Physical Therapy?

Children can start physical therapy at any age, as long as their doctor and clinical team agree that it’s safe to do so. We usually recommend starting physical therapy as early as possible to maximize long-term outcomes.

Pediatric patients range from infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to teenage competitive athletes, specifically 0 to 18 years of age, and young adults with childhood disorders.

 Signs Your Child Might Need Pediatric Physical Therapy

1. Delayed Developmental Milestones: If a child is not meeting age-appropriate milestones such as rolling over, crawling, walking, or running, this may suggest a need for physical therapy to improve gross motor skills.
2. Difficulty with Coordination and Balance: Struggles with activities like catching, throwing, skipping, hopping, or jumping compared to peers can indicate coordination issues. Frequent tripping or falling may also signal balance problems.
3. Toe-Walking: Persistent toe-walking beyond the early walking phase may require evaluation and intervention from a physical therapist.
4. “W” Sitting: Sitting with the legs bent at the knees with feet turned out can indicate weak core muscles and may lead to future posture and balance issues.
5. Poor Posture: Consistently slouching or using arms for support while sitting or standing could indicate underlying muscle weakness or postural issues that need addressing.
6. Limited Mobility: Difficulty with basic movements such as standing up, walking, running, or climbing stairs can affect a child’s ability to play and interact with peers.
7. Muscle Weakness: Signs of muscle weakness might include trouble lifting objects, difficulty keeping up with peers in physical activities, or fatigue during play.
8. Pain Complaints: Persistent pain in the legs, back, or joints that lasts longer than expected or occurs without a clear cause should be evaluated by a pediatric physical therapist.
9. Preference for Sedentary Activities: A child who prefers to sit during recess or physical education instead of participating in games may be experiencing physical challenges that warrant further assessment.
10. Unusual Movement Patterns: Any atypical movement behaviors, such as excessive clumsiness or jerky movements, can indicate the need for intervention to develop better motor skills.

If your child is displaying any of these signs regularly, it might be wise to schedule an appointment with your pediatrician as well as a consultation with a pediatric physical therapist.

As our society becomes increasingly more digital, children are also spending more and more time doing screen-based activities, which tend to be sedentary. Many children are also becoming less physically active as a result. Postural problems and lower back pain are becoming more common in children and teens. A preventive physical therapy evaluation and treatment recommendations can be beneficial to young people and help them develop good physical fitness habits.

Schedule a Consultation at a Clinic Near You

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About the PT

Susan Horwath, PT graduated from the University of Vermont with a B.S. in Physical Therapy. She has been treating pediatric patients exclusively for the past 35 years. Prior to joining the staff at Freytag Children’s Rehabilitation Center at Florida Hospital Flagler, Susan owned a private practice offering pediatric physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy for 20 years. She enjoys living at the beach and participating in outdoor sports, running, biking, tennis and golf.