Pediatric Physical Therapy isn't just for young athletes - it can be very beneficial for infants!
Pediatric Physical Therapy helps treat anyone under the age of 18 - patients can range from infants to young athletes needing rehab. Although we don't typically think about bringing children to physiotherapy, it can be beneficial in managing conditions such as congenital muscular torticollis, plagiocephaly, gross motor skill delays, and many others.
Congenital Muscular Torticollis (CMT)
Congenital Muscular Torticollis (CMT) is the tightening of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle in the neck. Infants experiencing CMT will present with:
Lateral neck flexion (side bending) towards the same side as the tightened SCM
Neck rotation away from the tightened SCM
Positional Plagiocephaly
Positional Plagiocephaly is the flattening of an infant’s skull. This condition often occurs in combination with congenital muscular torticollis. Physical therapy can help manage both CMT and Plagiocephaly, and treatment is most effective if started early in the child's life.
Gross Motor Delay
As children develop strong skeletal muscles, they can better perform everyday functions such as sitting, standing, walking, and running. These are known as Gross Motor Skills and achievement of specific milestones are associated with a child’s age during development.
Gross Motor Delay is when children are not achieving the age-appropriate milestones. Physiotherapists can provide treatment to help the development of Motor Skills and increase your child’s participation in physical activities.
Children can also experience Ligament Sprains, Muscle Strains, or Bone Fractures.
A pediatric physical therapist can help to manage pain during acute injury stages as well as restore strength, function, and mobility through later stages of healing.
We can provide a detailed rehabilitation program to help your child recover and prevent re-injury.
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is defined as chronic peripheral nerve pain, typically experienced along the limbs or distal extremities. Symptoms of CRPS include:
Pain along limbs / in extremities
Hyperalgesia (increased sensitivity to pain)
Allodynia (pain with light touch)
Swelling
Skin condition changes
Increased sweating
A Pediatric Physical Therapist can help manage symptoms of a variety of conditions and work with your child to restore their participation in play or sport!
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