Physical Therapy

What is pediatric physical therapy?

The goal of pediatric physical therapy is to provide a child with the optimal gross motor functioning to enable them to fully participate in play, learning and all types of childhood activities. A comprehensive assessment allows the pediatric physical therapist to identify the child’s strengths and weaknesses and how these are impacting the child in their natural environments (school, home and community). Pediatric physical therapists are trained to assess a variety of conditions including: prematurity, genetic syndromes, orthopedic conditions, and gross motor development deficiencies. Assessment may include examination of age appropriate postural control, strength, balance, coordination and range of motion using play based activities to engage the child. Pediatric physical therapy intervention is individualized for each child and aims to build skills with the emphasis on appropriate quality of movement. Our pediatric physical therapists have advanced training in various treatment techniques including: neurodevelopmental treatment approach (NDT), sensory processing, therapeutic taping, myofascial release and various other techniques and modalities. Physical therapists may also recommend and monitor the use of orthotics.

The Physical Therapists work closely with our Occupational and Speech therapy professionals to create a coordinated approach to patient care when children are receiving occupational therapy and/ or speech therapy services in addition to physical therapy.

Does my child need physical therapy?

Physical therapy is appropriate for children who exhibit any of the following difficulties:

Genetic conditions
Orthopedic Conditions
Infantile Torticollis
Post stroke rehabilitation
Post chemotherapy rehabilitation
Post operative rehabilitation
Medical conditions impacting physical endurance
Conditions that require orthotics
Needs for adaptive equipment
Toe walking
Decreased lower extremity strength
Delayed Motor Milestones
Decreased upper body strength
Low muscle tone/floppy
High muscle tone/spastic
Muscle weakness & poor muscle control
Coordination difficulties
Poor balance
Clumsiness that results in poor access to playground equipment
Challenges with preschool gross motor activities including tricycles and access to play structures
Poor eye-hand coordination