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Benefits Of Paediatric Physiotherapy

Apr 15th, 2019 | by NAPA Team

NAPA Team

April 15th, 2019

Paediatric Physiotherapy at NAPA Centre

NAPA Centre is a world-renowned paediatric physiotherapy clinic, offering intensive sessions worldwide in addition to traditional weekly therapy at our five US clinics (Los Angeles, Boston, Austin, Denver, and Chicago) and our two Australian clinics (Sydney and Melbourne). This blog discusses the benefits of physiotherapy for kids. To learn more about paediatric physiotherapy at NAPA, visit our program page here.

Contents:

The Importance of Paediatric Physiotherapy

There are considerable advantages when undergoing paediatric physiotherapy for kids that may not only benefit a child physically, but mentally too. Benefits of physio includes helping children learn to successfully and independently perform gross motor skills and functional mobility skills. As a child begins to successfully develop these skills, it creates a greater form of independence that helps contribute to achieving a higher sense of self-esteem. Though children’s physiotherapy provides a safer form of development and strengthening, it is also capable of being an essential preventative measure by addressing any muscle imbalance or weakness.

Benefits of Children’s Physiotherapy

You are probably asking yourself, what are the main benefits that come with children’s physiotherapy? We have listed below the essentials involved in our services, the physio benefits that come with it and the experience your child will get.

Physiotherapy rehabilitation is extremely important after an injury. Oftentimes, it’s crucial for individuals who have undergone a surgery or suffered an injury to receive rehabilitative physiotherapy services to regain the level of activity they had in the past.

Alternatively, physiotherapy habilitation is imperative in helping kids with disabilities attain, keep, or improve skills and functioning for daily living.

What Can Physiotherapy Help My Child Improve On?

NAPA paediatric physiotherapists will work closely with you to identify your child’s goals. Common physiotherapy goals for children include:

  • Range of Motion – how far a joint can bend or straighten
  • Strength – strength against gravity
  • Balance – ability to maintain balance (tilting and righting responses) and to keep oneself from falling (protective responses)
  • Reflexes – automatic responses seen particularly in infants (palmar grasp, positive support, asymmetrical tonic neck reflex [ATNR] and labyrinthine)
  • Posture – alignment of the body in various positions
  • Tone – natural resistance in a muscle (increased tone is stiffness and decreased tone is floppiness)

What’s Included in NAPA Paediatric Physiotherapy Services?

A variety of treatment interventions may be used including: developmental activities, therapeutic exercise, balance and coordination activities, adaptive play activities, mobility training, safety and prevention programs, and activities to promote overall wellness.

  • Customized plan based on your child’s unique needs and goals (NAPA offers paediatric PT in both traditional and intensive settings)
  • Stretching and strengthening activities and exercises to increase a child’s range and quality of movement
  • Establishing or reshaping movement patterns to follow normal development
  • Improving balance and equilibrium skills
  • Improving postural control
  • Gait training
  • Evaluating the need for adaptive equipment and orthopedic devices

How Do I Know If My Child Needs Physiotherapy?

Your child may benefit from physiotherapy if:

  • They are not meeting the expected developmental milestones during the first year of life (ie. rolling, sitting, standing, walking).
  • They have a strong preference for turning their head to one side or using one side of their body.
  • They walk up on the balls of their feet or walk in an atypical/awkward manner.
  • They have difficulty keeping up with their peers during play.
  • They are not able to perform the same gross motor tasks (ie. hopping, jumping, skipping) as their peers.
  • They frequently trip and fall when walking.
  • They complain of pain when performing gross motor tasks.
  • They were injured and are not able to perform at their prior level of function.

Additionally, physiotherapy can benefit your child if he/she is experiencing or has experienced:

    • Prematurity
    • Torticollis/Wry Neck (head tilt)
    • Muscular Dystrophy
    • Down Syndrome
    • Spina Bifida
    • Cerebral Palsy
    • Stroke
    • Delays in developmental milestones
    • Hypotonia (weakness, low tone)
    • Hypertonia (tightness, high tone)
    • Gross motor incoordination
    • Motor planning difficulties
    • Gait difficulties
    • Orthotic concerns
    • Neurological problems

What is Paediatric Physiotherapy?

Paediatric physiotherapy is essentially various workouts and exercises that focus on certain muscles and movements, which are aimed at strengthening muscles and tendons.

Physiotherapy is very similar to going to the gym and working with a personal trainer, although the physiotherapists that your child will work with are specifically trained and experienced in paediatric diagnoses and injuries.

It is extremely important for children to follow their physiotherapy routine as closely as they can, due to the fact that they are growing while they are likely going through the process of recovery. The fact that they are growing means that it is even more important to address any concerns within a timely manner.

What Paediatric Physiotherapy Methods are Used at NAPA?

At NAPA Centre, we provide the best paediatric physiotherapy techniques and tools from around the world, including DMI, SpiderCage, NeuroSuit, and more. We take an individualized approach to therapy because we understand that each child is unique with very specific needs. We embrace differences with an understanding that individualized programs work better. For this reason, no two therapeutic programs are alike and we offer multidisciplinary treatments integrating physio, occupational, speech, and feeding therapy. If your child needs our services, we will work closely with you to select the best therapies for them, creating a customized program specific to your child’s needs and your family’s goals. Let your child’s journey begin today by contacting us to learn more.

Our Paediatric Physiotherapist-Approved Activities to Try at Home:

 

NAPA Centre Paediatric Physiotherapy US Clinics

  • Los Angeles – 11840 La Cienega Blvd, Hawthorne, CA 90250
  • Boston – 210 Bear Hill Rd Suite 401, Waltham, MA 02451
  • Austin – 7801 N Lamar Blvd Suite E216, Austin, TX 78752
  • Denver – 11211 East Arapahoe Road, Unit 118, Centennial, CO 80112

Australia Clinics:

  • Sydney – Ground Floor, 2 Lincoln St, Lane Cove West NSW 2066, Australia
  • Melbourne – Level 1, 351 Burwood Highway, Forest Hill VIC 3131

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TAGS: Blogs, PT
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