Physical Therapy Isn’t Just for Adults: How Pediatric PT Can Help Kids

When you hear “physical therapy,” you might picture someone recovering from knee surgery, working through back pain, or getting back on their feet after an injury.

But physical therapy isn’t just for adults.

TheraWest offers pediatric physical therapy (PEDS) to help children improve the movement skills they need to play, participate in everyday activities, and grow with greater confidence and independence.

What Is Pediatric Physical Therapy?

Pediatric physical therapy focuses on how a child moves and functions in their everyday world.

Depending on a child’s needs, a physical therapist may work on areas such as strength, balance, coordination, mobility, walking and running, motor skills, or returning to activity following an injury.

While the goals of physical therapy are specific, pediatric therapy may look a little different from the PT adults are used to seeing.

Kids learn and move through play. That means treatment can incorporate games, obstacle courses, toys, movement challenges, and other age-appropriate activities while the therapist works toward specific functional goals.

It may look like play to your child, but there’s a purpose behind the activity.

How Do I Know if My Child Might Benefit From Physical Therapy?

Every child develops differently, and seeing one of these things doesn’t automatically mean something is wrong.

However, it may be worth asking about pediatric physical therapy if you have concerns about the way your child moves or participates in everyday activities.

Parents may notice things like:

• Difficulty with balance or coordination

• Frequent falling or tripping

• Difficulty keeping up with other children during physical activities

• Concerns about walking or running

• Difficulty with stairs, jumping, climbing, or other motor skills

• Weakness or limited mobility

• Pain that interferes with play, sports, or everyday activities

• Difficulty returning to normal activity after an injury

• Concerns about physical or motor development

Sometimes the first sign is simply a parent thinking, “Is this something I should ask someone about?”

That’s a perfectly reasonable place to start.

Pediatric PT Isn’t Only for Developmental Concerns

Children can need physical therapy for many of the same reasons adults do.

Active kids get hurt. Young athletes can experience pain or injuries. Children may need rehabilitation following surgery, an accident, or a period of decreased activity.

Other children may need help developing strength, balance, coordination, mobility, or motor skills.

The reason for therapy may be different from child to child, which is why the first step is understanding the individual child—not simply applying an adult treatment program to a smaller patient.

What Happens During Pediatric Physical Therapy?

A pediatric physical therapist starts by learning about your child, your concerns, and the activities that matter to your family.

The therapist can evaluate how your child moves and identify areas that may be making certain activities more difficult. From there, treatment can be built around your child’s individual needs and goals.

For one child, success might mean getting back to a sport without pain.

For another, it might mean improving balance.

For another, it could mean becoming more confident with running, jumping, climbing, or navigating the playground.

The goal is to help your child make meaningful progress that carries over into life outside the clinic.

You Know Your Child

Parents see things that may not show up during a routine appointment.

You see how your child moves across the living room, climbs onto the playground, keeps up with friends, gets ready for school, participates in sports, and responds when something is difficult.

If you’ve noticed something that concerns you, you don’t have to diagnose it yourself.

Ask the question.

TheraWest offers pediatric physical therapy, and our team can help you determine whether physical therapy may be an appropriate next step for your child.

Have Questions About Pediatric Physical Therapy?

Contact TheraWest to learn more about our PEDS services and how our team can help your child move, play, and participate in the activities that matter to them.