OTHER FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who are physical therapists?

Physical therapists (PTs) are licensed medical professionals who work with people of all ages and in all settings to improve their quality of life by improving functional mobility and independence, strength, endurance, flexibility and decreasing pain.

Why would a child need physical therapy?

Many babies, such as those born prematurely or with diagnoses such as hypotonia or Down syndrome demonstrate difficulties with moving their bodies and learning motor skills like rolling and crawling. Other infants do not have a medical diagnosis, but are just not developing their developmental gross motor milestones such as rolling, sitting, crawling and standing at target ages.

All of these children can benefit from structured therapy activities to promote strength, coordination, endurance, movement and balance. Other children, such as those with orthopedic conditions like torticollis, clubfeet or hip dysplasia have specific rehabilitation needs that are individual to children and respond well to physical therapy along with medical intervention such as bracing and surgery.

The goal of pediatric physical therapy is to improve the child's function, mobility, independence and overall quality of life.

What is different about pediatric physical therapy?

Babies and children are not just small adults! A pediatric physical therapist has the specialized training to provide rehabilitation for the unique needs of children. Many medical conditions are only seen in children or present differently in children than in adults and therefore require individualized care. The bones and muscles of babies and older infants are developing and changing over time and are quite different from what they will eventually become as adults.

Pediatric physical therapists can have a significant impact on the way an infant develops by the intervention they provide. By addressing any problems or delays as early as possible, we offer infants the best chance of reaching their full potential at a faster pace. Therapists work with children on improving motor skills, cardiovascular and muscular endurance, strengthening, coordination and flexibility using a variety of hands-on techniques. They also provide ideas to families on how to "carry over" therapeutic skills into daily life with home exercise programs.

What types of conditions do you typically treat?

Some of the more common diagnoses treated include:

Cerebral Palsy

Why is "Tummy Time" important for my baby?

Being placed on the tummy is important in many ways. It helps develop strength in the muscles of the trunk used for rolling, crawling, sitting and eventually walking. Tummy time also helps strengthen the muscles of the hands and arms used later for fine motor skills (e.g. handwriting, using scissors).

Start by placing your baby on their tummy while awake as early as the first month of life. They can lie on your chest facing you while you are sitting on the couch. Progress to putting your baby on the floor with a rolled towel or boppy under their chest, then move on to being placed flat on the belly. Put a mirror or toys in front of them to make it more fun. If your baby fusses at first, don't be discouraged - try it often for short time periods (e.g. 1-2 minutes every awake hour).

What will pediatric physical therapy sessions be like?

Pediatric physical therapy sessions are different than you may have experienced as an adult. With children, although we are also working on strength, endurance and balance, the exercises and activities are done in a "play-centered" fashion. This means that although it appears we are "just" playing with the infant, we are actually using the child's own motivation to explore toys and the environment to encourage the movement patterns and strengthening activities that will ultimately allow us to reach our goals.

Pediatric physical therapists use the child's natural desire to learn, explore, move and interact to teach them new skills, assist with achieving new developmental levels, and improve motor learning, physical strength and endurance. Overall, sessions have some aspect of fun involved for the child so they will be motivated to move and learn.