Common Health Issues in School-Aged Kids That a Physio Can Treat 

Having a child in school can mean worrying about more than just their grades—especially if they participate in sports or deal with any physical medical conditions. That’s why it can be beneficial to consider bringing your child to a paediatric physiotherapist for help with common health issues. 

Paediatric physiotherapy is a field of practise dedicated specifically to helping children reach their physical potential and develop healthy habits. Not only can these physios look out for skeletal problems, they can also help kids with acute and chronic musculoskeletal issues, neurological disorders, respiratory problems, and more. 

For athletic kids, regular sessions with a paediatric physio can help prevent injuries due to overstraining, as well as address any issues that have already occurred. A physio can also help improve coordination, strength and balance while teaching safe body mechanics. Finally, they can provide your child with guidance on how to avoid future injuries through warm-ups, stretches and exercises tailored to their individual needs. 

Postural Correction for Children 

Physical therapy can play an important role in the prevention and correction of postural problems in children. Poor posture can lead to reduced mobility and flexibility, muscle tension, and joint strain. These factors can contribute to misalignments of the spine, which can result in pain or further health complications if left untreated. 

Physiotherapists are experts in postural assessment and kinesiology—they understand how posture changes affect the function of the entire body. They use a variety of techniques to help children with postural correction, including: 

• Exercises: Physiotherapists use specific exercises to strengthen weak muscles, loosen tight muscles and improve stability while maintaining good posture. 
• Postural Education: Teaching the child proper body mechanics is essential for maintaining a healthy posture. This includes correcting ergonomics such as sitting or standing correctly, when lifting objects or playing sports, and sleeping on the right mattress. 

By helping children to develop good postural habits at a young age, physiotherapists can prevent more serious health issues down the road – making physical therapy an essential part of your child’s healthcare team. 

Exercise Programmes to Improve a Child’s Mobility 

Physiotherapists understand that children require a tailored exercise programme to help improve their mobility, agility and overall strength. In fact, research has shown that children with conditions like cerebral palsy – which can limit their ability to move – often benefit from therapeutic exercise. 

These programmes are designed to gradually build strength in the targeted muscles; this improves posture and muscle balance, leading to improved co-ordination. It can also help children become more independent when it comes to activities such as getting dressed or walking up stairs. 

A physiotherapist may recommend a few different exercises, depending on the child’s condition and specific needs. Examples of these exercises include: 

• Strengthening exercises: These are designed to strengthen weakened muscles and joints, as well as improve overall fitness levels. 
• Balance exercises: Activities such as standing on one foot or balancing on a ball can help strengthen the core muscles and improve coordination. 
• Stretching exercises: Regular stretching is essential for any age group, but especially important for children with certain conditions like cerebral palsy or scoliosis where flexibility is an issue. 
• Endurance exercises: Cardiovascular activities such as swimming or walking help build strength and stamina over time, leading to improved mobility. 

By helping kids increase their flexibility, strength and coordination through exercise programmes tailored to their needs, physiotherapists can aid in improving overall health and well-being for kids of all ages. 

Pain Management Techniques for Kids 

When it comes to pain, there can be a variety of causes, and the types of treatment depend on the cause and severity of the pain. Physiotherapists are specially trained in a variety of techniques to help alleviate pain in children. 

Pain Management Techniques 

Some common pain relief techniques that physiotherapists use with kids include: 

• Massage therapy – Massage therapy encourages blood flow to the affected area and helps to decrease tension by relieving muscle tightness. 
• Heat therapy – Applying heat to the affected area helps increase circulation, relax the muscles and reduce pain. 
• Cold therapy – Cold therapy is useful in reducing inflammation and swelling as well as numbing the affected area to reduce pain. 
• Stretching – Stretching helps to improve joint mobility and reduce stiffness. 
• Strengthening exercises – Strengthening exercises help support joints, increase stability, reduce tension and cushion impact from daily activities. 

By combining these treatments, physiotherapists can effectively help kids manage any type of pain they may be experiencing. 

Tips to Find an Experienced Paediatric Physiotherapist 

When seeking out a paediatric physiotherapist for your child, it can at times be difficult to know how to choose the right one. Here are several tips to doing so: 

1. Research and Compare: Start by researching what types of physiotherapy services are available in your area and compare them to determine which is most suitable for your child. Look for ratings, reviews, and testimonials from other parents who have used the service before. 
2. Certification: Make sure that the physiotherapist you are considering is certified with a reliable healthcare association or has valid training in paediatrics. 
3. Experience: The ideal paediatric physiotherapist should be highly experienced in treating children with specific conditions like cerebral palsy, dyspraxia or developmental delay. A therapist with prior experience in treating these conditions will be better equipped to provide a tailored, effective treatment plan that fits your child’s needs. 
4. Ask Questions: When interviewing potential therapists, prepare a list of questions that give you insights into how they approach their job as well as their areas of expertise and success rate with similar cases. This process will ensure that the therapist you ultimately hire is skilled and experienced enough to provide quality care to your child. 
5. How Spring Forward Family Centre Provides Paediatric Physiotherapy 

At Spring Forward Family Centre, our team of experienced practitioners offer a range of treatments to help sort out any physical issues that your child might be experiencing. We provide evidence-based paediatric physiotherapy to help with a variety of problems, including: 

Musculoskeletal Issues 

One of the most common health issues for children is musculoskeletal dysfunctions. This can include muscle weakness and imbalances, which can lead to postural issues, clumsy movement and other physical limitations. Our team of physiotherapists can assess these conditions and provide guidance and exercises to improve strength and flexibility. 

Sports-Related Injuries 

If your child is involved in sports or physical activity, they may sometimes suffer from the occasional sprain or strain. We assess the injury and develop a tailored programme that includes stretching, strengthening and mobility exercises to promote healing and protect against future injuries. 

Neurological Conditions 

In some cases, paediatric physiotherapy may also be needed for neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy or those that affect balance or coordination. Our team will work closely with you to develop a customised rehabilitation programme that focuses on improving movement patterns, strength and balance for your child. 

With our experienced practitioners leading the way, you can be sure that your child will get the care they need in order to reach their full potential. 

Conclusion 

In conclusion, it is clear that there are many common health problems that physical therapists can effectively treat in school-age kids, including musculoskeletal pain, postural correction, sports injuries, and more. Physiotherapy is a holistic approach that takes into consideration the physical, mental, and emotional health of the child, addressing the root cause of the problem and helping to provide long-term results. When searching for a physical therapist, it is important to look for one who is skilled in paediatric physiotherapy and is compassionate to best advocate for the child’s health needs.