Key points 

• Paediatric physiotherapy promotes physical and mental development, independence, and self-esteem in children by helping them master gross motor and functional mobility skills and addressing muscle imbalances early on. 

• It is crucial for children recovering from injuries or surgeries and for those with disabilities, aiding in the development, maintenance, or enhancement of necessary daily skills and dealing with musculoskeletal pain. 

• Therapists work with families to set goals in areas such as range of motion, strength, balance, reflexes, posture, and muscle tone to improve overall physical function. 

• Active+ offers customised support including developmental activities, therapeutic exercises, balance and coordination activities, adaptive play and mobility training to address each child's specific needs. 

• Signs a child may benefit from physiotherapy include developmental delays, asymmetrical movements, unusual walking patterns, difficulty keeping up with peers, frequent falls, pain during activities, and limitations post-injury.  

About paediatric physiotherapy 

Paediatric physiotherapy offers numerous benefits that can positively impact a child's physical and mental development.  
 
It’s a specialised form of therapy that helps children master essential gross motor and functional mobility skills, fostering greater independence and boosting self-esteem.  
 
Moreover, it serves as a preventative measure by addressing muscle imbalances or weaknesses early on. 

Key advantages of paediatric physiotherapy 

Rehabilitation post-injury 

Physiotherapy is crucial for children recovering from injuries or surgeries. Rehabilitative services help them regain their previous levels of activity and function. 

Rehabilitation for disabilities 

For children with disabilities, physiotherapy is essential in developing, maintaining, or enhancing skills necessary for daily functional activities. 

Areas of improvement with paediatric physiotherapy 

 Active+ physiotherapists collaborate with families to set and achieve individualised goals for each child. Common goals include: 

• Range of motion:  Enhancing how far a joint can bend or straighten. 

• Strength:  Building muscle strength to overcome gravity and decrease pain. 

• Balance:  Improving balance and the ability to prevent falls. 

• Reflexes:  Integrate automatic responses, especially in infants, helping them reach developmental milestones. 

• Posture:  Aligning the body correctly in various positions. 

• Tone:  Managing muscle stiffness (increased tone) or floppiness (decreased tone).  

Active+ paediatric physiotherapy services 

Active+ provides a range of treatment interventions tailored to each child’s unique needs, including: 

• Developmental activities 

• Therapeutic exercises 

• Balance and coordination activities 

• Adaptive play activities 

• Mobility training 

• Safety and prevention programmes 

• Muscle strengthening 

• Managing growth related pain 

• Activities promoting overall wellness  

Customised treatment plans 

Active+ offers personalised plans, which may include: 

• Stretching and strengthening exercises to enhance movement quality. 

• Establishing or reshaping movement patterns to align with normal development. 

• Improving balance and equilibrium skills. 

• Enhancing postural control. 

• Gait training. 

• Assessing the need for adaptive equipment and orthopaedic devices. 

Identifying the need for physiotherapy in a child  

Your child may benefit from physiotherapy if they exhibit: 

• Delays in developmental milestones (e.g., rolling, sitting, standing, walking). 

• A strong preference for turning their head to one side or favouring one side of their body. 

• Walking on their toes or in an unusual manner. 

• Difficulty keeping up with peers during play. 

• Inability to perform gross motor tasks like hopping, jumping, or skipping. 

• Frequent tripping and falling. 

• Pain during gross motor activities. 

• Post-injury limitations in function. 

Physiotherapy can also assist children with conditions such as: 

• Prematurity 

• Torticollis/Wry Neck 

• Muscular Dystrophy 

• Down Syndrome 

• Spina Bifida 

• Cerebral Palsy 

• Stroke 

• Developmental delays 

• Hypotonia or hypertonia 

• Gross motor incoordination 

• Motor planning difficulties 

• Gait abnormalities 

• Orthotic needs 

• Neurological issues 

• Growth and night pain  

Conclusion 

Paediatric physiotherapy involves targeted exercises designed to strengthen specific muscles and improve movement patterns. This therapy is specifically adapted from children and their unique needs. 

Adhering to the prescribed physiotherapy routine is crucial for children, especially as they grow and recover, ensuring timely and effective treatment of any issues. 

Need a paediatric physiotherapist? 

Does your child or a child in your care need support from a physiotherapist?  Active+ can help! Our skilled physiotherapists offer personalised care for all needs. Click here to find your nearest physiotherapist.