Pediatric Physical Therapy

Pediatric Physical Therapy

Pediatric Physical Therapy


The pediatric physical therapists at FYZICAL Defuniak Springs provide evaluation and treatment for children with various physical challenges, including injuries, developmental delays, chronic pain, and medical conditions, to help them achieve independent and functional mobility skills.

What To Expect During Pediatric Physical Therapy

Your pediatric physical therapist will evaluate your child and develop an individualized treatment plan based on their needs. Evaluation includes a parent interview, standardized testing, informal assessment, and play-based interaction with your child to determine their current gross motor abilities. Treatment sessions focus on improving balance, postural strength, and motor skills. A home exercise program is also provided to continue therapy at home to encourage further development and carryover of skills.

Benefits of Pediatric Physical Therapy

Pediatric physical therapy improves your child’s strength, flexibility, and range of motion, and reduces their pain and inflammation. Pediatric physical therapy develops or restores motor skills and coordination andhelps prevent future injury while enhancing sports performance. Pediatric physical therapy helps prevent or reduce permanent disabilities and disease progression and helps to avoid or minimize the need for surgery. Pediatric physical therapy also promotes independence and improves self-esteem and confidence, which allows your child to actively participate in daily life.

If you think your child may benefit from physical therapy, call the pediatric physical therapists at FYZICAL Defuniak Springs to learn more about our pediatric physical therapy program.

Conditions Treated With Pediatric Physical Therapy

Our pediatric physical therapists are expertsin treating a range of issues, including neurological and movement disorders, pediatric developmental disorders/disabilities (PDD), orthopedic and musculoskeletal conditions, neuromuscular disorders, and coordination and balance disorders.
Neurological & Movement Disorders — arise from issues such as brain injury, medication, autoimmune disease, infection, or genetic disease. Common conditions include:
  • Ataxia
  • Dystonia
  • Myoclonus
  • Restless leg syndrome
  • Tourette syndrome and tics
  • Tremor
Pediatric Developmental Disorders/Disabilities (PDD) — a group of conditions due to an impairment in physical ability, learning, language, or behavior. Common conditions include:
  • Autism spectrum disorder
  • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Developmental delays
  • Genetic conditions (Down syndrome, Fragile X, Williams syndrome)
  • Hearing loss
  • Intellectual disabilities
  • Language and speech disorders
  • Learning disorders
  • Muscular dystrophy
  • Tourette syndrome
  • Vision impairments
Orthopedic & Musculoskeletal Conditions — consistof problems with your child’s bones, muscles, or joints. Common conditions include:
  • Back pain
  • Congenital limb differences/limb length inequality
  • Foot deformities (club foot)
  • Fracture and trauma
  • Generalized impaired strength, motor control, flexibility, endurance, joint motion, or posture
  • Hip dysplasia
  • In-toeing
  • Out-toeing
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
  • Ligament injuries
  • Meniscus tears
  • Osgood-Schlatter disease
  • Scoliosis & spine disorders
  • Shoulder instability
  • Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE)
  • Sports-related injuries
  • Tendonitis
  • Torticollis
  • Special interests also include: wheelchair/seating and mobility
Neuromuscular Disorders — conditions that affect your child’s nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Common conditions include:
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Chiari malformations
  • Congenital anomalies of the brain and spinal cord
  • Craniofacial anomalies
  • Hydrocephalus
  • Muscular dystrophy
  • Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI)
  • Spina bifida/myelomeningocele
  • Spinal cord injury and paralysis
  • Tumors of the brain and spinal cord
  • Special interests also include concussion, headache/migraine, metabolic diseases affecting the nervous system, and brain malformations
Coordination and Balance/Vestibular Disorders — conditions that affect your child’s neurological (nervous system), auditory (hearing), or vestibular (balance) system. Common conditions include:
  • Benign paroxysmalvertigo of childhood
  • Central vestibular disorders
  • Labyrinthitis
  • Ménière's disease
  • Neuritis/vestibular neuronitis
  • Ototoxicity
  • Peripheral vestibular disorders
  • Systemic disorders
  • Vascular disorders