Pediatric Physical Therapy

The goal of pediatric physical therapy is to help kids improve their physical capabilities — strength, flexibility, reflexes, range of motion, and gross motor control of large muscle groups — so they can develop the functional skills they need to crawl, walk, run, and play. Your child’s physical therapist will develop a personalized care plan with the best exercises, stretches, and other activities for their needs.

A physical therapist might be part of your child’s care team if they have any injury or condition that affects how they move or if they have yet to reach age-appropriate movement-based developmental milestones. These conditions include but are not limited to:

Congenital and genetic conditions

Conditions or deformities present at birth that impair movement, such as muscular dystrophy.

Developmental delays

Failure to reach developmental milestones like crawling or walking by the same age as most peers.

Musculoskeletal and orthopedic conditions

Disorders of the bones, muscles, joints, or connective tissues.

Gait and posture issues

Problems with walking, including walking on the balls of the feet.

Injuries

Including traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and post-concussion syndrome.

Neurological conditions

Problems with the functioning of the brain, spinal cord, or nervous system, including cerebral palsy.

Post-surgical recovery

Including orthopedic, cardiac, and many other types of surgery.

Our physical therapists use a range of techniques to help kids improve their strength, posture, movement control, and balance. They may use play-based exercises when appropriate to help make exercise more enjoyable and engaging for your child.

Core and leg strengthening

Exercises that build the muscles of your child’s legs, hips, and lower back can help them fix posture and alignment issues, improve balance and stability, and build a strong foundation for developing gross motor skills like running and jumping.

Kinesiology taping

Elastic therapy tape is applied to your child’s skin to help support muscles and joints and limit painful or potentially damaging motion.

Serial casting (temporary)

A child wears a series of casts that stretch tightened muscles in one of their arms or legs. Each cast is worn for a few days at a time, then is replaced by another cast in a slightly modified position. This can help improve gait and posture issues, including those caused by conditions like cerebral palsy.

Stretching and resistance exercises

These help build muscle strength, endurance, flexibility, and range of motion.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) treatment

Physical therapy may be part of your child’s care team after a brain injury or concussion that causes balance or coordination challenges. Therapists provide a symptom assessment, return-to-activity plan, and any needed treatments.

Walking and gait training

Training to improve your child’s ability to walk, such as muscle strengthening exercises and correcting issues with posture, balance, and coordination.

Weak limb training

Techniques that encourage or require a child to use a weaker limb that needs strengthening, rather than defaulting to their strong limb.