Physical Therapy and Children

Physical therapy can assist children and infants in achieving age-appropriate gross motor skills. Physical therapy can improve cardio-pulmonary, and skeletal muscle strength and endurance. All improvements help infants and children participate in age-appropriate activities. Physical therapists also work to improve deficits caused by orthopedic injuries, disease, disability, and developmental delay.

Conditions That May Require Physical and/or Occupational Therapy

• Developmental delays
• Learning disabilities
• Delayed motor development
• Sensory Integrative Dysfunction
• Arthritis
• Neurological conditions
• Orthopedic conditions
• Prematurity
• Visual Difficulties
• Delayed Coordination
• Decreased Muscle strength
• Decreased muscle endurance
• Unable to keep up with peers
• Osteoporosis
• Feeding difficulties

Signs That a Child May Benefit From Physical Therapy

• Difficulty participating in physical activities
• Poor gross motor skills (catching, throwing balls, hopping on one foot, jumping, skipping, etc.)
• Difficulty moving arms and legs due to joint swelling, contractures and/or pain
• Unable to keep up with peers
• Poor posture
• Difficulty recovering from orthopedic injuries
• Osteoporosis