What is Physical Therapy?

Physical Therapy is provided to children from birth to twenty-one who are experiencing functional limitations or disability due to a disorder, a disease process, or trauma.  The goals of treatment are to diminish impairments and to prevent or decrease disability, while enhancing reflexes, improving tone, range of motion, and strength, as well as motor skills and functions. Treatment may be focused on improving developmental tasks, motor planning, manipulation skills, balance, and/or coordination.

Children that would benefit from Physical Therapy have diagnoses that would include, but not be limited to: Developmental Delays due to prematurity, Neurological Disorders such as Cerebral Palsy, Congenital Hypotonia, Genetic Syndromes, i.e. Down Syndrome, Hydrocephalus, Spina Bifida, Musculoskeletal Disorders, such as scoliosis, Arthrogryposis, Muscular Dystrophy, Torticollis, Club Feet, Orthopedic Injuries, Spinal Cord Injury, Autism, Cancer, or other Trauma.

Your Physical Therapist will make recommendations regarding stretching and other exercises, therapeutic handling, functional activities, seating and positioning, orthotics, and assisting devices. Standardized tests might be administered to measure and monitor improvement, as well as to help identify short and long-term goals that will be customized for your child. Your Physical Therapist will be instrumental in choosing appropriate adaptive equipment for the classroom or home.