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5 Common Pediatric Conditions That Physiotherapy Can Help With

5 Common Pediatric Conditions That Physiotherapy Can Help

Children face unique physical challenges as they grow, and when conditions arise that affect their ability to move or develop properly, it can impact not only their physical health but their confidence and independence, too. That’s where pediatric physiotherapy comes in. With the right interventions, kids can build strength, improve mobility, and ultimately gain the skills they need to thrive. Our pediatric physiotherapy in Edmonton helps children to overcome physical challenges, improve motor skills, and reach their full potential.

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5 Common Conditions Treated in Pediatric Physiotherapy:

1. Cerebral Palsy (CP)

Cerebral palsy is a neurological condition that impacts movement, muscle tone, and posture. It stems from brain damage or abnormal development, usually happening before, during, or shortly after birth. Children with CP often struggle with motor control, muscle stiffness, and coordination issues. These difficulties can affect everything from walking and sitting to basic daily tasks like eating or dressing.

2. Developmental Delays

Developmental delays occur when a child doesn’t meet typical developmental milestones at the expected age. These delays can affect motor skills, speech, cognition, or emotional development. Motor delays, in particular, may include challenges in crawling, walking, or sitting, which can prevent kids from exploring and interacting with their environment the way their peers do.

3. Scoliosis

It is a condition in which the spine develops an abnormal curve. While mild cases of scoliosis might not cause immediate symptoms, more severe cases can lead to noticeable physical changes, back pain, and discomfort. In children, scoliosis typically appears during growth spurts and, if left untreated, can progress and potentially lead to mobility issues.

4. Torticollis

It is a condition where a baby’s neck muscles become tight, causing the head to tilt to one side. This can happen due to positioning in the womb or after birth from spending too much time lying in the same position. Babies with torticollis may struggle to move their heads freely, which can delay motor development.

5. Spina Bifida

This is a congenital condition where the spinal cord doesn’t develop properly, leading to varying degrees of disability. Depending on the severity, children may experience mobility challenges, muscle weakness, or paralysis. Without proper intervention, these issues can affect the child’s ability to walk or perform other physical activities.

Key Techniques in Pediatric Physiotherapy for Treating Conditions

Our pediatric physiotherapy in Edmonton supports children with a variety of conditions, from cerebral palsy and scoliosis to developmental delays. Let’s break down how we address these challenges.

Manual Therapy Techniques:

We use manual therapy to directly manipulate soft tissues and joints, promoting mobility and reducing pain in children.

  • Soft Tissue Mobilization: We perform soft tissue massage to release muscle tension and improve flexibility, especially in children with cerebral palsy, who often deal with muscle spasticity.
  • Joint Mobilization: For kids with scoliosis or developmental delays, joint mobilization helps improve joint movement and posture, ensuring better alignment and reducing discomfort.
  • Myofascial Release: Our physiotherapists use this technique to target tight fascia, helping children with cerebral palsy or spina bifida move more freely by reducing muscle tightness.
  • Trigger Point Therapy: This technique helps release “knots” or tight areas in the muscle that cause pain or restrict movement. We use trigger point therapy in kids with muscle tension, particularly in those with cerebral palsy or after an injury.

Exercises Used for Treating Conditions:

Exercises are central to our therapy, designed to build strength, coordination, and motor skills in kids.

1. Strengthening Exercise:

Strengthening exercises are designed to build muscle power and improve functional mobility, especially for children dealing with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, or general muscle weakness.

 

Sit-to-Stand: This simple exercise helps strengthen the leg muscles and improves balance, especially for kids with spina bifida and cerebral palsy who struggle with standing or walking.

  • How to Perform: Have the child sit on the edge of a chair with their feet flat on the ground. We instruct them to push through their feet and legs to stand up, using their core muscles to stabilize. Then, they lower back down slowly and repeat. We often provide assistance as needed, especially in the early stages.

2. Balance and Coordination Exercise:

Balance and coordination exercises are essential for children with scoliosis, developmental delays, and other conditions that affect stability. These exercises help improve motor control and posture.

Balance Board: Using a balance board is an effective way to help kids develop core stability and balance. It’s especially useful for children with scoliosis or developmental delays, as it helps improve postural alignment.

  • How to Perform: We have the child stand on a balance board or wobble board, encouraging them to maintain their balance while shifting their weight from side to side. It can be done as a game where they try to stay centred for a specific time, making it engaging and fun!

3. Play-Based Exercise:

We know that kids learn best when they’re having fun! Play-based exercises not only keep children engaged but also help develop motor skills in a natural, enjoyable way. These exercises are especially effective for treating developmental delays.

Animal Walks: These are a fun way to improve strength, coordination, and balance, particularly in younger children with developmental delays.

  • How to Perform: We ask the child to mimic animals, like crawling like a bear, hopping such as a frog, or slithering like a snake. These movements target different muscles and challenge the child’s coordination while keeping them entertained.

Modalities:

We use various modalities to support muscle function, manage pain, and improve movement in children.

  • Laser Therapy: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is used to reduce inflammation and stimulate healing in children with soft tissue injuries or muscle weakness, promoting faster recovery and pain relief.
  • Electrical Stimulation (E-Stim): We use E-stim to help activate weak muscles in kids with cerebral palsy. This non-invasive technique can encourage muscle contraction and improve overall function.
  • TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation): It is used to manage pain by sending low-voltage electrical currents to the affected area. It’s especially helpful for children with chronic conditions like cerebral palsy who may experience frequent discomfort.

Bracing or Taping:

Bracing and taping are essential for providing support, correcting posture, and reducing strain on muscles and joints.

  • Bracing: We often recommend custom-fitted braces for kids with scoliosis to prevent further spinal curvature. Bracing helps align the spine and is typically paired with exercises for optimal results.
  • Kinesiology Taping: Our physiotherapists use kinesiology tape to facilitate muscle activation and reduce pain in kids with conditions including cerebral palsy or spina bifida. The tape provides support without limiting movement.
  • Neck Bracing: For severe torticollis, we may use soft neck braces to encourage proper head alignment while working with stretching and repositioning techniques.

Overcoming Challenges, One Step at a Time:

Pediatric physiotherapy in Edmonton helps children improve their mobility, strength, and confidence. At Granville Physiotherapy, we’re committed to helping children conquer these challenges and achieve their full potential, ensuring they grow into strong and independent individuals. Early intervention and a personalized therapy plan can have a positive impact on a child’s quality of life and promote independence.

Contact us today to book an assessment and learn how our specialized physiotherapy for kids can support your child’s development and well-being. Let’s work together to help your child thrive!

You can book your online appointments even now!