Paediatric physiotherapy can be used to assess and treat babies, infants and children who present with some form of impaired physical development or movement dysfunction.
Initial assessment is important to determine whether the problem is due to musculoskeletal or neurological dysfunction.
These problems can become apparent in the following conditions:
- Torticollis (the head is held to one side)
- Plagiocephaly (flat head)
- Delayed motor development
- Co-odination problems
- Low tone
- Talipes
- Toe walkers
- Cerebral dysfunction
- Scoliosis
The aim of treatment will be to promote normal movement, co-ordination and posture.
This will be done through giving parents and care givers advice regarding handling, positioning and exercises through play and activities of daily living.
A more specific programme of stretches and exercises may be given if indicated.
Adolescents presentiong with scoliosis or back and neck pain may be given a programme of stretches, exercises and posture correction aiming to correct or improve spinal alignment and facilitate normal muscle function. More serious cases may be referred to a medical specialist for review.
