Does Your Child Need A Pediatric Physical Therapist?
Physical therapists might be more known among adult patients but this does not mean that children and babies do not need the services of these experts. There are instances when babies or small children are delayed in their physical development or require therapy due to an injury or illness. Even something as simple as holding a bottle or crawling can be challenging.
A Pediatric Physical Therapist Can Help
In such cases, a physical therapist specializing in pediatric patients can be of service. They are trained to treat patients under the age of 18, including newborns. They work with children who have various muscle or bone problems, sports-related injuries, genetic disorders, or disorders that affect the spine, nerves, and brain.
They make it possible for patients to hit milestones other children meet without any issues. Plus, they can improve their strength, range of motion, patterns of movement, and flexibility. While some patients will never be able to achieve the same mobility as other kids due to disabilities, they will be able to train their bodies to move to the best of their abilities. Not only can this make everyday activities easier, but it may even help them become independent.
What Happens During A Physical Therapy Session?
Therapy with pediatric patients is very different compared to adult sessions. Because of the patient’s age, the sessions need to look and feel like they’re playing. This will engage the kids and allow them to have fun while trying to achieve their goals. A pediatric physical therapist will use age-appropriate games and similar activities to motivate them and make them happy.
For example, gross motor skills (which will involve the bigger muscle groups) can be improved by doing the following activities:
- Playing on big exercise balls to increase their strength
- Run or hop around the room to work on their coordination
- Keep their balance on a beam
- Stand on just one foot
There may also be instances when your pediatric PT recommends activities that can be done at home with the parents.
Knowing When To See A Pediatric Physical Therapist
How will parents know if their child or baby needs a therapist? They know their children best, and they can watch out for specific signs like developmental delays (especially if the little one is months behind others of the same age) or not meeting the milestones set by experts for their age.
Other reasons are easier to determine, like when the baby has a genetic disorder like Down Syndrome or experienced a sports or non-sports injury. The pediatrician may also observe signs of simile illnesses like cerebral palsy or similar nerve and muscle illnesses. Lastly, they may suffer from muscle weakness and imbalances, or motor planning and poor coordination.
The pediatric PT will test your child’s strength and physical development. They may ask your child to walk across the room or accomplish tasks that most kids of the same age should be able to do. They will check for any delays, the severity of the delay, and the possible cause. All these will factor in the treatment plan.
Conclusion
A pediatric physical therapist is key to identifying any physical delays as early as possible, during childhood. With early intervention, kids will be able to live a life as normal as possible.