What is Physical Therapy?
Pediatric physical therapists (PTs) work with children and their families to assist each child in reaching their maximum potential to function independently and to promote active participation in home, school, and community environments. Physical therapists have expertise in movement, motor development, and body function (e.g., strength and endurance). Physical therapy sessions are typically 30-45 minutes in length and 1-2x a week depending on the needs of the individual child.
Pediatric PTs help kids improve their range of motion, strength, flexibility, and movement patterns. The goal? Help children move their bodies how and when they want to the best of their abilities. Pediatric PTs help make everyday activities easier for kids. For the most part, pediatric physical therapy sessions should look and feel like play. PTs engage kids with fun, age-appropriate games and activities to keep them motivated and happy. (Kids should have fun, but physical therapy can be hard work!)
PTs help improve gross motor skills (tasks that involve large muscle groups, like walking and throwing) by encouraging kids to do things like:
- Motor Milestone work: Crawl, walk, run and jump to help children gain the needed milestones as they get older
- Strengthening, with activities like playing on large exercise balls, over crash pads, and stepping up steps, and strengthening specific muscle groups to improve balance, coordination and overall recruitment of muscles
- Coordination - participate in games and activities that build a child's ability to move their bodies in a coordinated manner to play safely and effectively
- Balance - improving the fine control of extremities to improve balance needed for running, jumping and climbing
- Ball skills - catching, throwing and kicking balls of various sizes to work on hand/eye coordination as well as eye teaming and strengthening
