Physiotherapy is most commonly associated with sports injuries and musculoskeletal problems in adults, but children can also benefit from seeing a physiotherapist. Those with developmental delay, gross motor problems or generalised muscle weakness can see an improvement in their physical development when working with a physiotherapist. Before starting any type of treatment program, the physiotherapist will assess your child's mobility, gait, posture and muscle coordination and take details of their health history. If required, they will also liaise with your child's doctor or other healthcare provider. Here are some ways a physiotherapist can help:
Relief Of Joint And Muscle Pain
It's not uncommon for children to experience joint or muscle pain at certain stages of their development. Growing pains and general aches and pains can be eased by releasing muscle tension and strengthening the affected muscles. A physiotherapist can use a combination of gentle massage techniques and targeted exercises to help your child build muscle strength, and they can also provide advice on maintaining a healthy posture and choosing supportive shoes.
Improved Balance And Coordination
Some children are labelled as accident-prone or clumsy and it's just assumed that this is just part of who they are. However, the number of bumps and falls your child has can be reduced when they work with a physiotherapist to improve their balance and coordination. A physiotherapist can work with your child to retrain their muscle memory, which can improve coordination, and doing gentle muscle strengthening exercises can improve balance.
Improved Stamina
Some children have lower stamina than you may expect for their age and this can present as lagging behind when on a family walk, taking multiple breaks during a sports class or seeming exhausted at the end of the day. A physiotherapist can help your child get the most out of life by working with them to improve their stamina and general fitness levels, which may include improving their lung function using breathing techniques and cardiovascular exercises. Supporting your child to stay active and improve stamina can encourage them to engage in healthy activities and develop habits that support an active lifestyle.
If you think your child would benefit from seeing a physiotherapist, or if you want to explore what a physiotherapist can offer, schedule an initial appointment to have your child assessed. The physiotherapist will then make treatment recommendations based on their findings and outline what supportive techniques may benefit your child as they grow and develop.
Share23 May 2023
Hello, my name is Catherine and this is my blog all about health and medical topics. I was inspired to start this blog by my husband who works in a hospital. He isn't a doctor, he works in a lab testing blood samples. However, he is extremely interested in medicine. When his grandma got sick, he quickly established what might be wrong and got her all the help she needed. Sometimes is the evening, we sit and read textbooks and talk about medicine. It sounds insane but we both really like it. I decided to start this blog to show off some of what I have learnt.