What Is Paediatric Physiotherapy? 

Physiotherapy is a specialised form of physical therapy that is used to help children who are experiencing issues with movement, balance, coordination and gross motor skills. There are a number of conditions that paediatric physiotherapists can treat, such as cerebral palsy and sports injuries. 

Orthopaedic physical therapy is a specialised form of physiotherapy that focuses on correcting functional impairments of the musculoskeletal system. This type of therapy can be used to treat a range of conditions in children, including joint, muscle and nervous system problems. 

Common Orthopaedic Conditions That Paediatric Physiotherapy Treats 

There are a range of orthopaedic conditions that paediatric physiotherapy can treat. These include conditions that affect the: 

• joints (like arthritis, hip dysplasia and cerebral palsy) 
• muscles (like cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy) 
• nerves (like cerebral palsy and down syndrome) 
• coordination, balance and gross motor skills (like cerebral palsy, down syndrome, and ADHD) 

If your child is experiencing any problems with movement, balance or coordination, then it’s worth speaking to your paediatrician about seeing a physiotherapist. Physiotherapy can help to resolve these issues and improve your child’s quality of life. 

Benefits of Paediatric Physiotherapy 

Your child’s orthopaedic health is important, and that’s where paediatric physiotherapy comes in. A paediatric physiotherapist specialises in helping children with balance, posture, coordination and gross motor skills problems. They can also help with joint, muscle or nervous system problems that are causing weakness. 

Physiotherapy can help improve your child’s posture and integrate their reflexes. They will also train more typical patterns of movements, which will help to develop their coordination and build their strength and balance. In essence, physiotherapy can help your child to reach their fullest potential physically. 

The Role of the Parents in a Child’s Physiotherapy Treatment 

As a parent, you can be the biggest support to your child’s treatment. Paediatric physios want parents to be involved in the process and understand what’s happening. Your therapist should include you in each step of the assessment and make sure you feel supported every step of the way – after all, it’s likely that your child will need a lot of encouragement to keep up with their exercises. 

Your physio can provide advice and strategies to help with any challenges or concerns that may come up while your child is undergoing physiotherapy. These can range from challenges at home, such as setting up an individualised programme for your child, to challenges in the clinic, such as picking up on cues for when your child is fatigued or uncomfortable. 

The best thing that a parent can do is to listen to their intentions, desires and feelings. And above all have patience and kind words – clear communication is key! 

Finding the Right Paediatric Physiotherapist like Spring Forward Family Centre 

The right paediatric physiotherapist will have the qualifications and experience to assess and identify any issues your child is facing and develop an appropriate treatment plan. It’s important to remember that not all physios are created equal, so it’s best to do some research beforehand. Make sure to find out about the qualifications, experience and speciality of a paediatric physiotherapist before you hire them. 

In addition, look for a practice like Spring Forward Family Centre that believes in using play-based therapy solutions when working with children. At Spring Forward Family Centre they understand that children learn best when they are relaxed and playing, so they create individual programmes tailored to each child with expert knowledge of their body’s development milestones, anatomy and physiology. Plus, they provide guidance on good practice for physiotherapists working with children—all necessary components of a quality practice. 

FAQs on Paediatric Physiotherapy from Spring Forward Family Centre 

At Spring Forward Family Centre, we are here to answer your questions about paediatric physiotherapy and kids physio. 

Do you need to know a bit more about the assessment or treatment process? We can explain what the physiotherapist does when assessing a child, as well as provide a breakdown of the different types of treatments that can be used for a range of orthopaedic conditions. 

Are you curious about how long it takes for results to show? We can discuss why physiotherapy has to be seen as an ongoing process and how physiotherapy treatments are tailored according to the individual needs of your child. 

Have more questions? Our qualified team of paediatric physiotherapists specialise in answering any queries you may have! Don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly staff today. 

Conclusion 

So, if your child is struggling with orthopaedic problems, it’s worth considering paediatric physiotherapy. It’s not always easy to know where to start, or what to do next, but we hope this guide will help. Remember, at the Kids Physio Centre, we’re here to help you and your child every step of the way!