The Blog

Paediatric Physiotherapy

From growing pains to sports injuries, physiotherapists can provide valuable insights, treatment and support for your child development and health.

Molly Woollett

22/05/24

The Blog

Paediatric Physiotherapy

From growing pains to sports injuries, physiotherapists can provide valuable insights, treatment and support for your child development and health.

22/05/24

Introduction

When we think about physiotherapy, we often picture adults recovering from injuries or managing chronic pain. However, children can also benefit significantly from physiotherapy. From infancy through adolescence, children may encounter various physical challenges that impact their growth, development, and overall well-being. Physiotherapy for children is a specialized field focused on addressing these unique needs, helping young patients achieve optimal physical health and function. In this blog post, we’ll explore the common reasons why children might need to see a physiotherapist and what the benefits are.

Growing Pains

Typically growing pains are experienced by children between ages 3 to 11, while the exact cause of growing pains is not fully understood, they are believed to be related to the imbalance between bone length and muscle strength that occurs during a time of rapid growth. Usually growing pains have no long-term effects and can be settled by heat packs, warm baths, and massage. However, if they’re causing significant stress, it may be a good idea to see a physiotherapist. Our expert physiotherapists can provide pain relief activity as well as strengthening and stretching exercises to prevent and reduce the effect of growing pains.

Gait (walking) Abnormalities

Gait abnormalities cover a wide range of issues such as flat feet, bowlegs, and antalgic gait, where a child walks with a limp due to pain. Many children can outgrow gait issues as they age but if your child shows no signs of improvement and they are experiencing persistent pain, a physiotherapist can help. Our specialist paediatric physiotherapists can provide strengthening and stretching exercises as well improving balance and endurance through play-based exercises.

Sports Injuries

It’s not uncommon for children to be heavily involved in sports, most injuries are caused by an excessive amount or overuse. Children are not just miniature adults, they have an immature skeleton that is still growing and until the skeleton fully matures, the muscles, bones and soft tissues differ to those in adults making them much more susceptible to injuries. Whether it be a sports injury or overuse, our physiotherapists will design a treatment plan that is age appropriate and beneficial to growing bones and muscles.

Developmental Conditions

Reports show that roughly 17% children between the ages of 3 and 17 develop one or more developmental issues. There can be plenty of reasons for slower growth such as premature birth, problems during pregnancy, autism, and even genetic disorders such as down syndrome. Or it can just be as simple as weakness or tightness in certain areas of the body. Our specialised physiotherapists will work with your child to design a treatment programme that can help strengthen areas of the body and help them learn how to move in different ways to improve their function, movement and independence.

Physiotherapy plays a vital role in supporting the physical health and development of children. From addressing developmental delays and congenital conditions to managing sports injuries and improving motor skills, our physiotherapists are equipped with the expertise to cater to the unique needs of young patients. Early intervention and tailored treatment plans not only help children overcome physical challenges but also empower them to lead active, healthy lives. If your child is experiencing any physical difficulties, consulting a physiotherapist can be a crucial step towards ensuring their optimal growth and development.

Is your child experiencing any physical difficulties?

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