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Sometimes children and even babies also need the help of physical therapist.
You might not think twice about climbing stairs or drinking. But for a child with an injury or developmental delay, these simple tasks can be challenging. This is where pediatric physical therapy in Chicago can help.
What is a pediatric physiotherapist?
If your child needs physical therapy, they will work with a pediatric physical therapist (PT). Pediatric PTs typically treat children under the age of 18, from newborns to teenagers. They see children for many reasons, including bone/muscle problems, sports-related injuries, or genetic, brain, spinal, or nerve disorders. PTs have years of training and some even earn PhDs in physical therapy.
What does a pediatric physiotherapist do?
Pediatric PTs help children improve their range of motion, strength, flexibility, and movement patterns. Results? Help children move their bodies as best they can, when and in the way they want. Pediatric PTs help makes everyday activities easier for children.
What will my child do during the physical therapy session?
For the most part, a child’s physical therapy session should look and feel like a game. PT engages children with fun, age-appropriate games and activities to keep them motivated and happy. People also take the help of feeding therapy Chicago when their child is not having a proper meal or they don’t want to eat anything.
PT helps improve gross motor skills (tasks that involve large muscle groups, such as walking and throwing) by encouraging children to do things like:
- Play a big exercise ball to build strength
- Run/jump to improve their coordination
- Balance on the beam
- To stand on one leg
- The PT can also suggest activities to do with your child at home.
Should my child see a pediatric physiotherapist?
PT can help children with many problems, including:
- Recovery from sports and non-sports injuries
- Developmental delays, such as small children who have to walk
- Not reaching milestones for their age
- Hereditary diseases such as Down syndrome
- Muscle weakness or imbalance
- Poor motor coordination and/or planning – this is the ability to think and perform motor actions, such as writing with a pencil
- Nerve/muscle disorders such as cerebral palsy
During the first visit, the physical therapist will check your child’s strength and development and how easily they can stand, walk, and perform age-appropriate tasks to see if there are any lags. If there is a delay, they will also determine the extent and probable cause of the delay. From there, the PT will work with you and your child to develop a treatment plan.
If you have concerns about your child’s development and think they could benefit from physical therapy, be sure to talk to your doctor. And don’t forget that most clinics offer free 15-minute examinations.
After an injury, physiotherapy rehabilitation is very important. It is often important for people who have had surgery or an injury to seek rehabilitative physical therapy to regain their previous level of activity.
Alternatively, habilitation in physical therapy is critical to helping children with disabilities acquire, maintain or improve skills and function for everyday living.
What can help my child improve physical therapy?
A pediatric physical therapist will work with you to determine your child’s goals. The general goals of physical therapy for children are:
Range of motion – how far a joint can flex or extend
Force – Force against gravity
Balance – The ability to maintain balance (tilt and stand responses) and prevent falls (protective responses)
Reflexes – automatic responses observed mainly in infants (palm hold, positive support, asymmetric tonic neck reflex
Posture – alignment of the body in different positions
Tone – natural resistance in the muscles (increased tone is stiffness and decreased tone is the weakness)
How can I help my child get the most from pediatric physical therapy?
Parents can help their children get the most out of their pediatric physical therapy sessions by ensuring their child is well rested and well fed before each session, arriving at the session with all necessary supplies (e.g. water, snacks, toys), and staying. upbeat throughout every session.
It is also important that in between sessions parents continue to practice whatever exercises or activities their child needs to do at home. Do the exercises with your child and don’t criticize him – have fun. If your child is struggling with certain exercises, talk to a pediatric physical therapist about how you can help your child deal with the problem.
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