Importance of Physiotherapy in children

A Physiotherapist helps to restore a person’s movement or function when they are affected by injury, illness or a disability, using a holistic and patient-centred approach. Physiotherapy can be beneficial for people of all ages with a wide range of health problems, including bone and joint, brain and nervous system, heart and circulation and lungs and breathing. 

A Paediatric physiotherapist is a highly specialised therapist that works with children in order to achieve their optimal physical development. They are highly knowledgeable in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of conditions that affect babies and children through to adolescence (0-18 years). They work as a member of the wider multidisciplinary team to provide the best possible care to their patients. 

Why is physiotherapy in children important? 

Physiotherapy in children can start at a very young age (known as early intervention) which can help to improve a child’s movement and function by strengthening their neural connections. The role of the physiotherapist in children promotes efficient and effective movement patterns, improves muscle activation and strength, increases motor control and can prevent secondary complications such as joint contractures or loss of function. 

Physiotherapists work as part of a wider team to ensure that they are treating the child as a whole and to support the child pre and post operatively, providing them with better surgical outcomes. They are also trained in recognising when a child needs further medical intervention. 

A treatment session can include completing a standardised outcome measure (Peabody Developmental Motor Scale, GMFM, BOT, MRC), working on balance and coordination, muscle strength, gait training, stretching and maintaining joint range of movement, prescription orthotics and specialist equipment and so much more! 

One of the biggest roles of children’s physiotherapy is to ensure their sessions are fun and captivating to engage children of all ages and motivate them to exercise. 

Parents and families have an important role to play

Parents are welcomed into their child’s session and often encouraged to participate. The parents will receive education and advice from the therapist to allow them to work with the child at home in order to integrate their exercises into the child’s daily routine.  

How does Neuropedia Help? 

At Neuropedia, our experienced and highly specialised Paediatric physiotherapists work with children with a range of complex neurological and orthopaedic conditions, including cerebral palsy, genetic conditions, developmental delay, neuromuscular conditions, ASD, developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) to name a few.

We provide a full and detailed assessment in order to provide your child with the best treatment plan. We will work with the families to set SMART goals for each child and liaise with other health care professionals to ensure we are providing patient-centred care. 

And most importantly – we advocate, we care and we love what we do. 

To book an appointment with our NHS trained paediatric physiotherapy experts, call 04 343 1113.