Dedicated Children’s Physiotherapy

Expert Physiotherapy for Kids

A Children’s physiotherapist can help where a child may not be developing at the same rate as others or has experienced some form of injury or trauma that requires rehabilitation.

Our physiotherapists have extensive experience working with children of all ages, from newborns to teenagers. We use various techniques and strategies to help children achieve developmental milestones, improve strength and coordination, and recover from injuries or surgeries.

At Graceville Physio, we believe in a holistic approach to children’s physiotherapy. We work closely with parents, caregivers, NDIS and other healthcare professionals in Brisbane to establish a comprehensive treatment plan that meets your child’s needs. We aim to help children reach their full potential and enhance their wellbeing.

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How Childrens Physiotherapy Can Help

Children’s physiotherapy can be beneficial for kids of any age. Not only does it support their physical development and improve their mobility and function, but it can also help with various conditions and challenges, such as developmental delays, coordination difficulties, neurological disorders, musculoskeletal injuries, and rehabilitation after surgery.

In early childhood, physio helps with common issues like gross motor delay where movement such as sitting, walking, crawling or rolling is not evolving. It is also beneficial in rectifying plagiocephaly or an uneven-shaped or flat head or torticollis where the neck twists to the side due to muscle trauma.

As children grow, physiotherapy can assist in managing conditions such as spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, and genetic disorders. It can also aid in improving balance, coordination, strength, and endurance for children with developmental coordination disorder or those who experience difficulties participating in sports or physical activities.

Additionally, it can help manage chronic pain, address posture problems, and provide support during the recovery from injuries or surgeries. It focuses on individualized treatment plans that include exercises, manual therapy, assistive devices, and education for the child and their family.

By starting early, children can develop essential movement skills, gain independence, and improve their quality of life. However, even if intervention is sought later in a child’s life, physiotherapy can still significantly impact them and help them achieve their maximum potential.

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What is Paediatric Physiotherapy?

There are several key differences between children’s and paediatric physiotherapy. The main one is that Paediatric physiotherapists take on additional training after qualifying as a physiotherapist in the diagnosis, assessment, identification and treatment of childhood movement and developmental difficulties.

This area of physiotherapy is crucial as it focuses on problems that may inhibit motor function and movement as a child grows, and the sooner we work to correct issues, the easier and quicker they can be resolved.

We have physiotherapists operating out of our clinic who have had extensive extra training and are qualified to treat children with injury or developmental and musculoskeletal conditions of any age.

Providing a Treatment Plan For Kids

A treatment plan can take many different forms, with a range of possible solutions in place. Many children will benefit from a clear action plan of exercises that can improve and correct the problem.

Some children will do this at our practice, but there may also be exercises they can do at home or school. This ensures they can keep up with their program in a more convenient, comfortable environment.

There will also be children supplied with supports such as splints or orthotics to help them correct the alignment of their muscles or their posture. We will work to ensure that they are fitted correctly and can offer additional support where needed.

Where possible, we want to communicate the problems and solutions with the child to offer the best service. This is their body, their health, their time, and their effort.
Those old enough to understand the situation will be consulted on the situation and the plan moving forward. We want to ensure they are comfortable with the arrangement and aren’t left in the dark.

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Can It Help with Growing Pains?

As children grow, they can develop various growing pains, particularly in the thighs and calves. This is because their muscles cannot keep up with the rate of bone growth. It can also be related to the amount and type of physical activity the child is involved in.

Some children tend to do a lot of different sports, which is generally a good thing but has to be managed properly to avoid overtraining. Growing pains can occur throughout the year, but they are typically seen at the start of a year once children return to sport after their summer holidays.

The condition is generally easy to treat if addressed early, but If left untreated, it can become more complicated and develop into muscle tears, tendon issues and even conditions such as Severs Disease and Osgood-Schlatter Disease. This results in prolonged time away from physical activity, which leads to multiple physical and psychological issues.

Physiotherapy is an effective treatment strategy, and our team are trained to identify the cause of the child’s growing pains, which helps us work out how to stop them from returning once they have been treated. Treatment techniques such as massage, heat/ice packs, stretching and strapping tape are often helpful in reducing pain.

Exercises are aimed at both reducing the child’s pain in the short term and helping to prepare their muscles for the rigours of their specific physical activity. Our aim is for each child to be able to return to their preferred physical activity, and in most cases, there is no reason why they cannot do this if treated early.

Assessing a Child’s Mobility

Assessments in children’s care can be more thorough than with adults. With adults, there is a clear idea of a problem due to the injury or a referral from a doctor. With children, the problem isn’t always so obvious. That is why our expert physiotherapists will perform a more extensive assessment.

They will look at all areas of a child’s growing body, not just the area causing the most concern. That means there is a better chance of spotting additional issues, making a diagnosis and creating a treatment plan. These sessions can take a while.

But, we see no need to rush a child and make them perform certain tasks if they aren’t comfortable.

Book an Assessment For Your Child.

If your child is experiencing any developmental delays or has suffered an injury that requires rehabilitation, our team of dedicated children’s physiotherapists are here to help. Go here to schedule an appointment or call us on (07) 3278 1186 and take the first step towards improving your child’s physical health and development.

Children’s Physiotherapy FAQ’s

What is children’s physiotherapy?

Children’s physiotherapy treats babies and young people to promote health and wellbeing. Expert children’s physiotherapists have the knowledge to work with still-developing bodies and even childhood disabilities.

What is the age range for children’s physiotherapy?

Children’s physiotherapy covers children from a young age, all the way up to teenagers of nineteen, as during these years the body is still growing or may receive injuries from sports or accidents.

What are the benefits of children's physio?

The benefits of children's physio are:
- Quick recovery from injury resulting in avoidance of long term effects
- Identifying movement issues early so injuries are prevented
- Identifying issues that may have been caused from an accident and treat to avoid long term issues.

Find us in the GRACEVILLE QUARTER BUILDING 2/296 Oxley Rd, Graceville, QLD

Book An Appointment

Call us on (07) 3278 1186