Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy can benefit children with conditions including:
-
Brain trauma and injuries
-
Cerebral palsy — a disorder affecting a child’s muscle tone, movement or posture
-
Developmental delays
-
General orthopedic — injuries to the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles
-
Genetic syndromes — Down syndrome (which can cause developmental and intellectual delays) and muscular dystrophy (which can impact muscle mass and strength)
-
Gross motor skills — deficits including muscle strength, coordination and balance
-
Hypertonia or hypotonia — abnormally high or weak muscle tone, respectively
-
Post-fracture care
-
Spina bifida — a birth defect affecting the spinal cord
-
Sports-related pain or poor posture
-
Sprains and strains
-
Torticollis — a condition causing the head to twist to one side
1
Evaluation and Treatment
The first step is getting a prescription from the pediatrician. Once you schedule the evaluation, it usually takes 2-4 weeks for the evaluation to be written, approved by the doctor and authorized by the insurance. The insurance will have the final say regarding how many visits are appropriate.
2
Kinesiology Taping
It is an elastic tape that has multiple purposes depending on where and how it is applied. It is often used to reduce pain, swelling, improve strength, encourage optimal alignment, and decrease muscle fatigue. Children with a variety of orthopedic, neuromuscular, or medical conditions, such as: cerebral palsy, conditions with weakness or paralysis of a certain body part, down syndrome, gross motor developmental delay, low muscle tone, decreased coordination, and gait abnormalities will benefit from kinesiology taping.
3
Orthotics
Consultation and referral services for customized orthotics treatment plan. Pediatric orthotics can range from shoe inserts to knee-high braces and be used to assist children with flat feet, toe walking, weakness, poor balance, frequent tripping, leg length discrepancies, and other conditions.