Physical Therapy for Children

^{Photo by Kamaji Ogino}

Children are typically active as they grow, develop, and explore the world. So it’s unavoidable that accidents happen as they play. Some of them also suffer from physical impairments. Let’s analyze why physical therapy for children is necessary.

Physical therapy is meant to minimize the pain in the affected body areas. It also helps return the bodily movements to their original state, regulating their daily activities. Physical therapy for children is also needed for those injured and struggling with everyday movements, restoring their range of motion and strength. The medical professionals assigned this task are called ‘Pediatric Physical Therapists‘ or PTs.

Having problematic movements hinder a child’s development, as they will carry it into adulthood. By knowing the conditions needed for pediatric physical therapy, your child won’t be restricted by their impairment. Children deserve a healthy future, starting with a functional body.

Why get physical therapy for your child?

Pediatric physical therapists know your child’s body well and understand how each session works, making it as engaging as possible. It’s for faster recovery and reaching the goal of being active again. These health professionals ensure the children’s improvement and positive recovery experiences.

You don’t have to worry about pediatric physical therapists not handling the sessions well. They love working with children, so the kids are in good hands in their journey to recovery.

What are the benefits of physical therapy for children?

Determining the extremity of your child’s injuries gets complicated, especially if they come from various causes like sports, play times, or dancing. They might have struggled with keeping up with their peers and feel tired quickly. Those instances can lead to sudden accidents, injuring their limbs. Regardless, parents should still take their injured child to a doctor to have them examined. It’s the only way to tell if physical therapy is necessary.

However, receiving treatment for physical injuries is not the only benefit of physical therapy for children. If your child has been diagnosed with the following, that is a sign that they should get pediatric physical therapy:

• Scoliosis
• Torticollis
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Hypermobility
• Bone abnormality

Another reason why physical therapy for children is needed is when your child gets diagnosed with muscle disorders like the following:

• Muscular dystrophy
• Congenital myopathies
• Hereditary neuropathies
• Spinal muscular atrophy

The muscular diseases mentioned above are primarily hereditary, and each has its subcategory of genetic disorders common among children. You must consult a pediatric physical therapist immediately and start a treatment plan, so your child can live healthily. Doing physical therapy early on in childhood helps prevent joint and muscular stiffness. Early intervention also helps them have a better chance at life.

Treatments and possible methods for child physical therapy

Children have different needs in terms of treatment. Although not all physical therapy methods work, there are common strategies that are useful in treating children’s mobility. Among them are the following:

Interactive playing with toddlers

Pediatric physical therapists’ first step in engaging with a child is to put themselves in their shoes. If an adult imposes rigid motor planning methods, the child will ignore or be fussy about it. Another suggestion for therapists is reading to them a book titled,’ Mona’s Mitten.’ It’s a picture book unlike any other because it contains fun physical activities that children can get into.

The best way to get them started is to make them comfortable with what they want to do. Allowing them to make individual choices helps their recovery, and it’s less work for pediatric therapists.

Considering their safety

Patient safety is the topmost priority of any medical professional. That is exceptionally true, especially in the area of pediatrics. Even at that physical therapy still poses a lot of risks. Every session can be painful and uncomfortable since it involves restoring the joints and muscles. They usually complain about discomfort, mainly when the process targets weak and sensitive areas.

Parents need to be present in every session as well. They must observe if their child feels unusual or extreme pain, as they won’t hesitate to communicate with the physical therapist. They can adjust the exercises accordingly so the injuries won’t worsen. In another case, some children are overly excited about recovering and are okay with their steps. In the end, their injuries escalate. If that happens, the physical therapist can do home sessions and provide instructions for the child to follow strictly. Parents should watch their children all day so they won’t do anything rash that could worsen their injuries.