Physical therapy is for children and babies as well as grown-ups
You may think of physical therapy as being for adults only. Nothing could be further from the truth. Kids can benefit from physical therapy in many ways. The main difference is that it often looks like play – but with a serious side.
If your child is struggling with everyday activities, isn’t hitting developmental milestones, or has an injury, illness or congenital condition that affects their movement or everyday functioning, physical therapy can help.
Pediatric physical therapy at Fyzical Therapy and Balance Center of Lanham is a specialized service that supports kids of all ages – from birth on – in growing into their most mobile, active, and healthy selves.
The benefits of physical therapy for children
Children with conditions that interfere with developmental processes can benefit from a physical therapy in many ways, including . (but not limited to):
- Problems with gait
- Milestones for crawling, walking, and speech
- Infant development delays
- Muscle weakness or imbalance
- Poor coordination or motor planning (such as the ability to write with a pencil)
- Postural problems
- Acute trauma
- Effects of pre-birth exposure to drugs or alcohol
- Sensory processing issues
- Genetic conditions such as spina bifida
- Pediatric stroke
- Chronic pain
Pediatric physical therapy is also indicated for injuries from sports or other accidents, recovery from surgery, cerebral palsy, heart, lung, and musculoskeletal conditions and issues.
What does physical therapy for children look like?
Physical therapy for kids often resembles play because it can involve toys, games, therapy balls, and the use of equipment you might see on a playground or jungle gym. However, activities in a physical therapy session are structured, have clear goals, and are focused on supporting healthy development.
Pediatric physical therapy works on goals such as:
- Correcting or helping the child compensate for structural deficits
- Building strength, coordination, and flexibility
- Improving gross motor skills (balancing, standing, walking, running, hopping, skipping, jumping, reaching)
- Improving fine motor skills (picking up and using objects of different sizes and dimensions)
- Increasing confidence with movement
- Enabling children to move through their environment safely and efficiently
When is the right time for a child to receive physical therapy?
There is no set time frame or age at which a child qualifies for physical therapy. If your child has any pre-existing medical conditions or injuries, is referred by their pediatrician, has difficulty performing age-appropriate activities, or struggles with movement, it’s the right time to make an appointment for a physical therapy evaluation.
During the appointment, your physical therapist will look at your child’s strength and ability to complete developmentally appropriate tasks, and determine if a delay might be the underlying cause. If so, they will work with you to figure out the origin and extent of the delay and create a treatment plan to address it.
Get your child seen by a physical therapist at Fyzical in Lanham
Find out if your child can benefit from pediatric physical therapy. Book a free evaluation with Fyzical Therapy and Balance Center of Lanham and get them moving toward healthy development and independence. Get in touch today!