What Is Paediatric Physiotherapy and how it helps
Paediatric physiotherapy is a specialised area of physiotherapy that focuses on providing treatment for children from birth to adolescence. This may include newborns, toddlers, children and adolescents who are experiencing problems with balance, posture, coordination and gross motor skills.
Paediatric physiotherapists have knowledge and experience in child development, so they are able to provide exercises that will help increase physical and motor skill development. If your child is experiencing weakness or joint, muscle or nervous system problems, a paediatric physio can help get them back to their usual activities and routines.
How Can Paediatric Physiotherapy Help With Weight & Physical Activity Advice?
Paediatric physio can help with weight and physical activity advice by teaching your child the importance of exercise. Exercise helps to maintain non-fat body mass and results in weight loss. In order to make sure that your child is getting enough exercise, physios can provide you with a tailored plan that fits their needs. In addition, physios can also help to develop healthy eating habits and reduce screen time. Strength training with lighter weights is also recommended under proper supervision.
Different Techniques Used in Paediatric Physiotherapy in Australia
There are a variety of techniques used in paediatric physiotherapy in Australia, depending on the child’s condition and needs. Some of the more common techniques include:
- Balance beam: This helps children improve their balance and coordination.
- Treadmill: This helps children with impaired mobility to rebuild their strength and movement.
- Wobble cushion: This helps children with poor balance and coordination to improve their stability.
- Jumping, running and hopping: These exercises help children to improve their gross motor skills.
Physiotherapists often work with parents to develop a treatment plan that includes a combination of exercises and activities that the child can do at home. They may also recommend that the child attends a specialised paediatric physiotherapy clinic, if necessary.
Benefits of Paediatric Physical Therapy for Children
Paediatric physiotherapy is beneficial for children of all ages and those with varying levels of physical activity, providing a wide range of physical, mental, and social health benefits. One of the biggest benefits is that it can help to improve muscle balance, strength, coordination, range of motion, and tone. It also helps children learn to successfully and independently perform gross motor skills and functional mobility skills. Additionally, it can help improve motor skills and enhance physical activity in children who are overweight or obese.
These improvements can take place in a variety of settings ranging from private clinics to home-based programmes tailored to the individual needs of the child. With the right guidance from a qualified medical professional or physical therapist, these therapies can be used to suit an individual’s health needs. Physiotherapists provide exercise instruction and reinforcement as well as education about health conditions that may limit or impair movement.
How to Find the Right Paediatric Physiotherapist in Australia
When looking for the right paediatric physiotherapist for your child in Australia, it’s important to make sure they have the right qualifications, experience and expertise to provide your child with the best advice and treatment. Those qualifications should include expertise in paediatrics and a range of other skills such as cognitive behaviour therapy, strength and conditioning, sports medicine, and manual or movement therapy.
It’s also important that you check that your physio has experience in treating children from different age groups with different medical conditions, so you know they will be a good fit for your child’s needs. Aside from that, it’s also good to find a physio who is friendly and approachable so you can feel comfortable discussing any concerns or questions you may have about your child’s treatment.
FAQs Related to Paediatric Physiotherapy
If you’ve been researching paediatric physio, you might have come across some common questions. Here are a few FAQs that people ask when they’re trying to figure out the best way to address their child’s physical issues:
- Is paediatric physiotherapy different from adult physiotherapy? Yes, paediatric physical therapy is specialised care designed specifically for children. Paediatric physios are experts in growth and development and have extra knowledge related to why children need different kinds of treatment than adults.
- What can paediatric physio do for my child? With the help of a qualified therapist, your child can gain strength and improve coordination, posture, joint and muscle function, gross motor skills and even mental health. Paediatric physios also specialise in helping kids manage obesity, improve movement after injuries and help children with Down Syndrome gain strength and improve motor function.
- How will my child benefit from physical therapy? The most obvious benefit is improved physical health. But with targeted exercises and guidance from a paediatric physiotherapist, your child can also gain self-confidence, increased strength, improve sports performance and better nutrition guidance to keep them healthy and active!
Paediatric Physiotherapy Service at Spring Forward Family Centre
At Spring Forward Family Centre, we offer a paediatric physiotherapy service that is tailored to meet the needs of children with joint, muscle or nervous system problems that are causing weakness and affecting their everyday activities.
Our Physiotherapists provide guidance on good practise for taking part in physical activities and sports and give important advice about how to handle a child’s weight. They will work together with you and your child to help them reach their full potential by developing strength, balance, coordination, posture and general motor skills.
Paediatric physio can have a positive impact on all children, but especially those who are struggling with learning difficulties or experience disabilities. With the right guidance and care, our Physiotherapists can help your child overcome their limitations so they can enjoy life to its fullest!
Conclusion
So, if your child is experiencing difficulties with balance, posture, coordination or gross motor skills, seeking the help of a paediatric physiotherapist may be the best step you can take towards resolving these problems. Physiotherapy can help improve your child’s quality of life, and enable them to participate in activities that they may have previously found challenging.