Specialist Paediatric Physiotherapy
Specialist Paediatric Physiotherapists aim to provide a friendly, professional and interactive physiotherapy service to meet the needs of all babies, children and young people from birth up to the age of 16 years.
It is important to recognise that children are not just “mini-adults” – a paediatric physiotherapist must not only have specific knowledge of treating children and being able to interact with a child, but must also have a thorough understanding of child development and in depth experience with the many varied conditions that present exclusively in children.
Our Specialist Paediatric Physiotherapist has expertise in working with children and their parents to tailor treatment to suit the child and their family, working to promote optimal growth and development or recovery form injury. The have particular experience in the areas of:
- Gait anomalies (particularly under 5’s)
- Developmental delay
- Neonatal development
- Rheumatological conditions
- Hypermobility Syndrome
- Musculoskeletal injuries
- Orthopaedics, including rehabilitation after surgery
- Plagiocephaly (including head turn preference)
- Torticollis/BPPI
- Talipes (also known as Club foot)
- Baby massage
If required, it is also possible that the Paediatric Physiotherapist can offer educational support. Examples of this could include supporting a child’s inclusion and full participation in their school through assessing mobility and accessibility at the school, or providing advice to facilitate a child’s ability to be involved in the PE curriculum.
What should you expect in a consultation with a Specialist Paediatric Physiotherapist?
The initial appointment will involve a comprehensive assessment including asking a lot of questions about the child and the problems, and a physical assessment as may be appropriate to the presenting condition. Following this, the physiotherapist will provide a detailed explanation to the parents, including discussion of the recommended treatment plan. Our goal is always to work cohesively with families to facilitate child- centred goals, aiming to optimise development and maximise each child’s potential.
The assessment will require the child to be in shorts (or nappy if younger). Sometimes it may be asked that the child be in a bare chest to allow for effective viewing of the involved areas.
Please contact us should you have any queries.
