Pediatric physiotherapy is effective in the management of perinatal conditions, conditions diagnosed in early childhood, and injuries sustained throughout childhood and the transition to adult care. Pediatric physiotherapy improves physical function and quality of life.1,2 Its long-term benefits are significant and include reducing disability and the need for surgery or other more costly invasive interventions resulting in a decreased burden on future use of health care services.
Pediatric physiotherapy services treat a wide variety of acute and chronic conditions in different settings, from acute care hospitals, to the community and schools. Pediatric physiotherapists assess, diagnose and treat neurological, developmental, cardiorespiratory and orthopedic conditions in children up to 18 years of age, with a focus on improving function and increasing independence. Physiotherapy has a positive and significant impact on pulmonary function, motor control, muscle strength, and physical endurance in pediatric patient with chronic conditions such as cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
HOW IT WORKS?
Pediatric physiotherapists help children to achieve their optimal physical development. They have specialist knowledge in the movement, development and conditions that are likely to affect the baby and growing child and treat from 1-day-old babies to adolescents. Treatment may involve soft tissue massage, mobilization, stretching, specific therapeutic exercises and posture education. Because Children are not small adults these therapists encourage children to move to the best of their abilities through play and age appropriate fun and instruction. The physiotherapist will inevitably work within the context of the child and his family and have opportunity to work with the child in a range of situations extending into home, preschool groups, education and leisure activities.
Because of the complex needs of the child and the family, the physiotherapist may work with many other disciplines including medical, nursing, social work, educational and care staff, psychological and psychiatric teams as well as speech and occupational therapists. The physiotherapist working in such teams must be able to communicate his/her observations, assessments and treatment plans to the child, his parents and other members of the team. To work effectively and efficiently the pediatric physiotherapist must in addition to his physiotherapy skills, have a clear understanding of the development process of the childhood, primitive reflex patterns and pediatric illness and disability.
COMMON CONDITIONS TREATED IN PAEDIATRIC PHYSIOTHERAPY?
Pediatric physiotherapist can provide specialized physiotherapy treatment for children aged between 0 and 18 years that have difficulty with their physical development as a result of neurological and/or developmental problems. Neurological conditions can be as a result of problems with the brain, spinal cord or peripheral nerves. Babies and/or children with neurological conditions may have difficulties with their physical functions including mobility, muscle strength, range of movement and balance.
Pediatric physiotherapists have extensive experience in a variety of neurological paediatric conditions including:
- Gross motor delay
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Cerebral Palsy
- Developmental Coordination Disorder
- Down Syndrome
- Spina Bifida
- Acquired Brain Injury
- Hypotonia
- Muscular Dystrophy or other neuromuscular challenges
- Torticollis/Plagiocephaly
- Other genetic disorders
- Weight challenges
- Athlete
Initial assessment of your child will include their development, movement, strength and balance in order to produce a structured treatment program which may include:
- Stretching
- Strengthening
- Re-educating normal movement patterns
- Balance training
- Improving standing and quality of walking
- Advice and support for parents and or teachers
- Milestone development
Working on fine and gross motor skills