When Should You Consider Physical Therapy for Your Child?

According to most people, pediatric physical therapy is only for children with injuries, especially during sports. But, that is not true at all. Physical therapy is beneficial for many children who are suffering from developmental delays and need therapy to overcome challenges.

If you want to know if your child needs pediatric physical therapy or when you should consider consulting with a physical therapist, continue reading.

Here we have mentioned the signs that can be easily identified. And, if your child shows the following signs, you must consider discussing the condition with a physical therapist. 

Your child is behind on developmental skills such as crawling, rolling, walking and jumping

• The shape of your child’s head shape is flattened or asymmetrical

• Your child has a preference for one side (turning head only to the left, rolling only to the right, feeding on one side, only using one hand to play or do things)

• Walks on tip-toes, walks in an atypical/awkward manner or trips over their feet

• Clumsy, frequently falls or walks into objects, or is not aware of their surroundings

• Coordination difficulties (throwing, catching, kicking, hopping, skipping, jumping jacks)

• Don’t prefer running, playgrounds, climbing, swings

• Can’t keep up with other children of the same age group

• Have muscle weakness or is “double-jointed”

• Don’t like sitting or standing straight

• Recently gone through injury/surgery and complains of pain

Now let’s learn the most common pediatric conditions that can be treated with physical therapy-

• Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD

• Childhood obesity

• Torticollis and Plagiocephaly, and Brachycephaly

• Neurological conditions (Brachial Plexus Injuries (Erb’s Palsy), Cerebral Palsy, Spina bifida, or Concussions)

• Genetic syndromes (Muscular Dystrophy, Down syndrome)

• Walking difficulties (walking on tip-toes, frequent falling, abnormal walking patterns)

• Orthopaedic conditions (Scoliosis, leg pain, sports injuries, foot deformities, arthritis)

• Heart and lung conditions (Asthma, Cystic Fibrosis)

• Vision or hearing impairments

If your child is showing the signs given in this write-up, you must consult with physical therapists and take their advice.