Does my child need Physical Therapy?

Pediatric physical therapists (PTs) can address a wide variety of problems and concerns relating to the physical state of the body and quality of movement.  They are experts in movement and motor development.  The main goal of pediatric physical therapy is to help your child be able to actively participate in their home, school, and community.  They assist children in reaching their maximum potential of movement and function.  Although Pediatric Physical Therapists do treat injuries to the body, they usually address deficits related to other causes.  such as:

• Core weakness
• Delayed milestones
• Cerebral Palsy
• Post-Surgical rehabilitation
• Difficulty with overall gross motor skills
• Torticollis
• Down Syndrome
• Balance deficits
• Toe walking
• Genetic disorders
• Sports-related injuries
• Coordination disorders
• Muscular dystrophy

Common signs your child may benefit from physical therapy are:

• Delays in achieving early milestones such as rolling, sitting up, crawling, and walking.
• Difficulty with running, jumping, and balance at an age when these activities are common.
• Inability to navigate their typical environments in an age-appropriate manner (i.e. difficulty on the stairs, difficulty getting up from the floor, unable to keep a similar walking pace with peers).
• Infants showing a preference for keeping their head turned in a particular direction, or flattening of the head.
• Persisting pain in muscles/joints.
• Consistent walking on toes.
• Excessive tripping/falls

What’s Next:

If any of these signs are present in your child, it may be time to consult your child’s doctor and request a Physical Therapy evaluation. SPGCT is here to help. Reach out with questions on how our evaluation process works, what to expect, and how to schedule an appointment. If it is determined that Physical Therapy is the next step for your child or loved one, SPGCT is ready to walk with you on the road through treatment.