Recent years have seen a substantial increase in interest in pediatric physiotherapy, which is a reflection of the rising understanding of its significance in child development and rehabilitation. Pediatric physiotherapists treat children of all ages, from infants to adolescents.
What Is Pediatric Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy is a health care branch that deals with restoration of joint movements, strength, balance and walking abilities. Pediatric physiotherapy (Pediatric PT) specifically deals with these limitations in toddlers, children and adolescents.
Difference from Adult Physiotherapy
While adult physiotherapy treats joint movements, strength, balance and walking abilities in adults, Pediatric physiotherapy deals with restoration of vital movements and strength as well as developmental milestones and academic skills which are important for a child’s growth and skill development.
Pediatric physiotherapy involves understanding of growth and development to ensure a safe therapy after the condition/injury, all while keeping the child’s developmental age in mind.
Goals of Pediatric PT: The overall goals of physiotherapy are as follows, keeping in mind a holistic view of the child:
- To improve the development and growth of the child
- To improve participation in school and leisure activities
- To facilitate independence in their daily activities
- To maximise the potential of the child in view of their abilities
Conditions Treated with Pediatric Physiotherapy
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is a type of non-progressive neurological condition. It occurs due to brain injury during prenatal, natal or post natal phase which leads to abnormal and slowed movement patterns.
There are several types of Cerebral palsy treated with Pediatric PT including spastic, diplegic, quadriplegic, hemiplegic, dytonic and athetoid.
Developmental Delays
Developmental delays refers to the late achievement or unachieved developmental milestones beyond the upper limit of the age range.
This may indicate that there may be problems with the child’s growth, neurological system or musculoskeletal system leading to the developmental delay.
Muscular Dystrophy
Muscular Dystrophy is a condition that occurs due to an abnormal gene, leading to defective muscle protein synthesis. Because of this, there is shrinking or destruction of the muscle fibres.
This causes muscle weakness and inability to perform movements such as walking, running and jumping. It eventually affects the muscles of the lung too leading to difficulty with breathing.
Post-surgical Rehab
Often, children may need surgery to treat their neurological or musculoskeletal condition. This then necessitates Post-surgical Rehab in which the children’s functional ability is restored so that they may return back to their daily lives with minimal pain and increased movements.
Signs Your Child May Need Physiotherapy
Pediatric physiotherapy is indicated for children having impairments in their movements, strength, balance and walking, and developmental abilities.
There are a few signs to look out for which may point to the need of physiotherapy for your child.
Delayed Sitting, Crawling, or Walking
Crawling, sitting and walking are important developmental milestones that should be achieved by the child by 6 months, 8 months and 14 months respectively.
If your child does not achieve these milestones within the stipulated time frame, it may indicate that these developmental milestones are delayed and require physiotherapy intervention.
Muscle Stiffness or Weakness
If your child appears weak, having difficulties in their daily activities because of problems with muscle strength in their arms, neck, trunk or legs, it is a sign that the child has muscle weakness. It can manifest as having difficulty in moving about, difficulty in lifting heavy objects, difficulty with grip, etc.
Often, the child might have limited joint movements, appearing to do only short range movements as compared with other children. This is a sign of muscle stiffness which can be because of problems in the joint structures (joint capsule, ligaments or bone) or problems with the muscle tone.
Both muscle stiffness and muscle weakness are indications for physiotherapy intervention.
What to Expect in a Therapy Session
A Pediatric physiotherapy session involves a skilled and systematic approach to restoration of your child’s movements and skills.
A session usually lasts between 45-90 minutes depending on the severity of the problem, techniques involved and the goals to be achieved by the child.
Child-Friendly Techniques
You need not worry about a non-cooperating and fearful child when it comes to Pediatric physiotherapy. The pediatric therapist is experienced in providing skilled therapy to the child in a safe and fun way making the session pain free and enjoyable to the child.
Parent Involvement in Exercises
Pediatric physiotherapy also includes parental involvement in the exercises. You will be taught about the different techniques of the therapy which you can do at home with your child. You also have a say in what goals you want your child to achieve, within a realistic time frame so that your child reaches the maximum potential.
Long-Term Benefits of Early Intervention
Improved Mobility and Independence
Research has shown that early and timely Pediatric physiotherapy not only restores the mobility of the child but also helps them attain independence in their daily activities.
Improved mobility benefits can be seen in their ability to sit, walk, run and jump on par with children of their age. This is important for their motor and physical development.
Improved joint movements, strength, balance, etc also mean that the child can perform movements on their own particularly those which are needed with functional activities such as eating, dressing, bathing, toileting. These are important activities for facilitating independence in the child.
Confidence and Mental Well-being
It has also been noted that because of the restored mobility, age-appropriate development and functional abilities after Pediatric physiotherapy, the child gets a major boost in their confidence and self-esteem.
It also helps to curb the stress and fear that comes with impaired mobility and dependence, hence improving the mental well-being of the child.
FAQs
Yes, pediatric physiotherapy is safe for infants. Pediatric physiotherapy is a branch that specialized in the therapy of not only children but also of infants and toddlers, in a safe and skilled manner.
The number of Pediatric physiotherapy sessions depend on the condition that the child has, the severity of the problems and the goals to be achieved. This can range from once a week to daily sessions.
Yes, it can help with poor posture in kids. Pediatric physiotherapy targets the trunk mobility and strength of the trunk muscles which can improve poor posture.
The exercises in Pediatric PT vary with the problems identified during the child’s assessment. The exercises may include arms and hand exercises, trunk exercises and leg exercises.
Sitting exercises, standing exercises and walking exercises may be added depending on the development of the child.
It takes at least 2-4 weeks to see improvement in your child after Pediatric physiotherapy. It also depends on how well your child is performing the exercises as well as the frequency of the therapy being given.
However, many conditions are progressive which may take longer for improvement to be seen. It is important to talk to your therapist about realistic goals to be achieved by your child.
