Top Pediatric Physical Therapist in Portland OR
At times, children sustain injuries or don’t reach physical developmental milestones. If your little one struggles with balance, limited mobility or unusual movement patterns, you may need Canby physical therapy.
Pediatric physical therapists understand how illnesses affect children’s motor development and have the tools to help youngsters gain independence.
What Does Pediatric Physical Therapy Do
Have you ever wondered what pediatric physical therapy does? It’s an essential part of helping children reach their full potential. Pediatric physical therapists work with infants, toddlers, and school-aged children to help them develop their everyday skills.
This can include improving gross motor skills like walking or running, strengthening muscles and bones, increasing range of motion in joints, improving coordination and balance, and developing sensory processing abilities such as touch or hearing sensitivity, all while having fun!
Physical therapists use various techniques to assess each child’s needs, including observation during play activities, strength testing, joint mobility assessments, postural alignment tests, gait analysis (how a person walks), balance assessment tools, etc.
They then create individualized treatment plans that may involve exercises at home and supervised sessions in the clinic. The goal is always to improve movement patterns so kids can do more than get around — they also learn how to move confidently through their environment without fear or pain.
Why Pediatric Physical Therapy
Pediatric physical therapy is integral to a child’s development and can help them reach their full potential. It helps children with developmental delays, motor coordination problems, muscle weakness or imbalance, difficulty walking or running and other conditions that may affect their move.
1. Improving Mobility
Anyone under the age of 18 can see a pediatric physical therapist. For example, high schoolers injured in accidents would see pediatric physical therapists because their bodies are still growing.
However, there are certain milestones infants and toddlers should meet, and missing them may signal that something is wrong.
For young children, simple tasks such as walking without assistance, rolling over and picking up objects are huge achievements that combine strength, coordination and balance.
Pediatric physical therapists work with young children to build a solid foundation in areas where they struggle, allowing them to catch up with peers.
2. Choosing the Right Physical Therapist
When looking for physical therapy Estacada facilities, finding a medical professional familiar with your child’s specific condition is critical.
Specialists have extensive knowledge that helps diagnose issues faster than a general practitioner, ensuring your kid gets the best care.
They also know about the cutting-edge treatments in their field, which can make all the difference if the most common approach fails.
You should also ask questions about the PT’s continuing education. States require medical professionals to earn certain continuing education credits every few years to ensure they’re up-to-date with the latest field breakthroughs. Qualified physical therapists should be happy to discuss their efforts to maintain their certification.
It’s also a good idea to inquire about the clinic staff. Most places have nurses, assistants and administrative staff who help the clinic run smoothly. You can ask about the experience of medical staff who may work with your child.
You’ll get a feel for how the therapist communicates during these questions. Communication styles vary by culture, personal background and professional experience, so you may encounter a PT you don’t share with well.
Since this is such a crucial part of your child’s healthcare journey, you should look for another physical therapist with whom you can build a rapport more easily.
Finally, always check that a PT clinic accepts your insurance. Otherwise, you’ll have to pay out-of-pocket, affecting the treatments you can afford.
3. Preparing Your Child for the Visit
As children know, pediatric physical therapy resembles play more than medical treatment. These professionals have the training and experience to choose age- and ability-appropriate exercises that are as fun as they are effective.
Of course, some kids may still be anxious before their appointments. You can prepare your little ones for the experience by explaining who the PT is and what will happen. Don’t be afraid to describe individual exercises if you know your child will enjoy them:
- Standing on one foot
- Working on a balance beam
- Hopping and running around
- Playing with exercise balls
The sooner children receive care, the sooner they can meet their developmental goals and engage with the world independently. If your little one struggles with movement, it’s time to find a physical therapy Oregon City clinic.