Children are not just little adults! Paediatric physiotherapists are trained to provide therapeutic intervention within the context of the developing child. The therapists are specialised in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of infants, children, and adolescents with a variety of congenital, developmental, neuromuscular, skeletal, or acquired disorders or diseases.
Such needs may include:
Posture- Neuromuscular Conditions
- Balance and co-ordination
- Functional activities of daily living
- Hip Conditions (Developmental dysplasia of the hip)
- Premature Infants (Dystonia, asymmetric tonic neck reflex)
- Syndromes Affecting Motor-Development (Down Syndrome, muscular dystrophy, developmental delay)
- Knee Conditions (Osgood Schlatter disease, Chondromalacia patella, Osteochondritisdissecans,)
- Gait Abnormalities
At Woodside Clinic, your child’s treatment goals and outcomes are discussed with you, the family. Your important role in the treatment circle of care will be developed through education and hands-on instruction by your therapist. Our therapists strive to develop a program which addresses your child’s varied needs.
Paediatric physiotherapy benefits children and their families and their caregivers in a number of ways. The therapy promotes activity and participation in everyday routines and increases functional independence for the child. It’s going to aid in better motor development leading to better mobility. Combined these benefits can aid in the daily caregiving of these children.
Our Osteopaths and Physiotherapists at Woodside Clinic are very happy to treat and advise and help your child. Please contact us and we will be happy to assist.
If you have any concerns regarding any development problems for your child, please speak to your GP about it, or book an appointment at Woodside Clinic to further discuss this.
How could my child benefit from paediatric physiotherapy?
There are many causes of children having developmental delay, injury to the brain, orthopaedic or neurological problems. Depending on the individuals’ issues (found in the assessment) there can be problems with mobility, posture, standing, walking, going up stairs, balance and function. The physiotherapist will work on training the large muscles in the body and increasing their strength particularly in the legs, arms and stomach. They will aim to increase the body control and help develop better:
- Coordination
- Better ability to do activities of daily living
- Strength
- Balance
- Flexibility in joints and muscles
- Independence
- Re-educating normal movement patterns
- Improving standing and quality of walking
What does paediatric physiotherapy involve?
The physiotherapist will discuss goals with the child and parents. A treatment programme will then be devised aimed at achieving these goals. Treatments can include the following:
- Working on the soft tissues and muscles with massage
- Working on the joints
- Doing stretches and specialist exercises with the child
- Teaching the parents and child stretches and exercises to do in between sessions
- Advice on posture
- Advice on equipment including walking aids if required
- General advice
Children with developmental problems may have difficulty at reaching his/her developmental milestones by a time or age that is expected. Developmental milestones are tasks most children learn or develop that commonly appear in certain age ranges. For example, head control, rolling, crawling, walking and talking.
Physiotherapy treatment for children with neurological or developmental problems will maximise their potential and promote physical development to reach specific milestones (e.g. rolling, crawling and walking).
“My daughter has been to Woodside Clinic on few occasions and have we been very happy with the staff and treatment received. I would highly recommend Woodside Clinic to anyone seeking relief from pain!” Mrs S