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Physical Therapy

Meet Our PTs

What Is Pediatric Physical Therapy?

Physical Therapy is dedicated to helping children gain the strength and confidence to navigate their physical world. For children who face challenges with walking, jumping, or even sitting up straight, our physical therapists provide a nurturing environment where they can improve their gross motor skills.

Through exercises and play-based activities, we focus on enhancing children's abilities to engage in age-appropriate physical activities, from playground fun to sports. Our goal is to foster independence, prevent injury, and promote overall health, ensuring that each child can enjoy being active and participate in physical activities with their peers.

The Experts Behind Physical Therapy

Physical Therapist (PT): A PT holds a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, which typically involves 7 years of higher education. They are skilled in evaluating and treating physical impairments in children.

Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA): A PTA has an associate's degree and works under the direction of a PT to implement treatment plans.

Common Signs and Indicators for Physical Therapy in Children

Gross Motor Development

Delays

Signs and Symptoms

  • Difficulty in achieving milestones like rolling, sitting, crawling, or walking

  • Clumsiness or frequent falling

  • Difficulty running, jumping, or climbing compared to peers

  • Poor balance and coordination

  • Walking on toes beyond toddler years

  • Awkward gait or irregular walking patterns

  • Limited participation in physical activities typical for age

Muscle Strength and Tone

Issues

Signs and Symptoms

  • Appears floppy or has low muscle tone (hypotonia)

  • Excessively stiff muscles or joints (hypertonia)

  • Fatigues easily during physical activities

  • Difficulty with tasks requiring muscle strength, like climbing stairs

  • Poor posture when sitting or standing

Motor Planning and Coordination Delays

Signs and Symptoms

  • Difficulty learning new physical tasks

  • Struggles with coordinated movements (e.g., riding a bike, swimming)

  • Difficulty with fine motor tasks like buttoning, zipping, or tying shoes

  • Challenges in tasks that require hand-eye coordination

Pain or Discomfort

Signs and Symptoms

  • Complains of pain during or after physical activities

  • Avoids using a particular limb or favors one side of the body

  • Displays discomfort when being moved or during routine activities

Respiratory and Cardiovascular Endurance Issues

Signs and Symptoms

  • Shortness of breath during physical activities

  • Limited endurance compared to peers in activities like running or playing

  • Rapid fatigue during exercises or play

Sensory Processing Issues

Signs and Symptoms

  • Overly sensitive or under-responsive to physical stimuli

  • Difficulty navigating through different terrains (e.g., grass, sand)

  • Uncomfortable with physical contact or certain textures

Post-Surgical or Post-Injury Rehabilitation

Signs and Symptoms

  • Requires assistance in regaining strength, flexibility, or mobility after surgery

  • Needs specialized exercises to recover from an injury

  • Experiences limitations in movement or function post-injury

Balance and Coordination Challenges

Signs and Symptoms

  • Difficulty maintaining balance while standing or moving

  • Challenges in activities that require coordination of limbs

  • Unsteady or uncertain movements

Functional Mobility Issues

Signs and Symptoms

  • Difficulty moving independently in various environments

  • Challenges with transitions, like getting in and out of a chair or bed

  • Needs assistance with daily mobility tasks

Our Friendly Physical Therapists

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