Physical therapy, also known as physiotherapy, is a medical specialty that focuses on treating people who cannot perform daily tasks due to physical limitations. These physical limitations could have resulted from congenital disabilities, accidents, or illnesses. It offers benefits such as reduced pain and discomfort and other physical reliefs that allow the patient to resume normal activities.
The aim of physical therapy is for you or your patient to recover physical functionality after a period of incapacity. However, how well the physical therapist’s activities and programs are adapted will determine the patient’s overall health. Physiotherapy home services are also available for your convenience. Click here to find some of them.
Physical Therapy For Kids: What Parents Need to Know
Physical therapists also work with children under 18 years old, from newborns to teenagers. Children’s cases include muscle or bone problems from sports-related injuries, spine, nerve, brain, or genetic disorders. Physiotherapy for children has many benefits for both the child’s physical and mental health.
Physical therapists, such as Pursue PT in Hoboken, NJ, help children develop gross motor and functional mobility skills independently. As a child develops these skills, they gain more independence and self-esteem. It’s a safe way to build and strengthen muscles while also addressing muscle imbalances and weakness, especially for kids with special needs.
When To See A Physical Therapist?
Parents, especially moms, should know when their children need physical therapy. Studies show that congenital diseases or disabilities are already detectable in prenatal testing during the first three months of pregnancy. These kinds of tests should already alert moms about the needs of their children from birth onwards. Some symptoms, however, are not detectable during pregnancy. But there are significant signs or instances that kids may need physical therapy.
Development Delay
Moms should be aware that babies have milestones achieved in their early months. Some of these milestones are:
- A baby should already be able to sit at eight months.
- A baby should already be crawling by twelve months.
The inability of the baby to achieve these could be some signs that the baby has a problem. It’s also true in cases where the baby walks only on tiptoe or has noticeable weakness in the limbs. These situations tell moms that something’s wrong and pediatric physiotherapy or physical therapy is needed.
During Or After An Injury
Injuries affecting the motor skills in children require physical therapy. Children are naturally active, and physical incapacities to do their usual activities will create emotional distress. Physical therapy will help children regain muscle strength and find better ways to do their activities despite physical hindrances.
Children generally have low pain tolerance. And physical therapy will help lessen the pain and discomfort they experience during or after an injury.
During Or After Hospitalization
Hospitalization cuts off all other activities that make children happy and emotionally content. Though not injured, a child patient may be tied to hospital restrictions that will not allow usual activities. The prolonged time without much activity will create cramps and other physical aches in children that require physical therapy.
Why See A Physiotherapist?
Physiotherapists are healthcare professionals engaged in treating various conditions affecting the nerves, the muscles, and the body’s different systems. Unlike your usual medical doctors, physiotherapists or physical therapists involve their patients, and their parents in cases of children, in every step of their recovery sessions. The patient has the option to do or not to do the activities designed for them.
A physiotherapist will help a child with proper posture, coordination, and balance. The therapist will guide the child through therapy programs or sessions that will help improve physical activity. These problems may include:
- Muscle and joint weakness or pain
- Weight problems
- Bone and ligament injuries
- Physical recovery after illness or injury
- Physical or developmental diseases in children involving the nerves and the muscles
Children with Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, and other illnesses that affect their physical and motor skills are helped by physiotherapists. These professionals will want parents to attend their sessions and assist in the treatment of their children. It’s because communication with families is vital to pediatric physiotherapists as they help children’s emotional stability.
In Conclusion
Moms are usually the child’s first care specialists. Her primary concern is rearing the young and ensuring that her child lives everyday life. Moms should therefore be the first to know when their child needs physical therapy intervention.
The decision of whether your child’s condition needs a physical therapist is yours to make. The urgency of the need for physical therapy treatments will depend on your assessment. The points here may help you find the special professional care your child needs.