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Getting Kids Moving: Pediatric Physical Therapy

July 24, 2024 | Industry News
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Physical therapists don’t just help adults recover from injuries. Pediatric physical therapists are specially trained to help children of all ages overcome challenges and reach their full potential. Whether your child has a developmental delay, a sports injury, or a chronic condition, a PT can create a fun and effective program to get them moving.

How PT for Kids Works

Unlike a typical doctor’s visit, pediatric PT sessions are all about play! Therapists use games, activities, and exercises tailored to your child’s needs and interests. This might involve:

● Building Strength and Coordination: Using fun exercises and activities like animal walks, obstacle courses, and games, PTs help children improve their balance, agility, and muscle control. This can be essential for everything from playing on the playground to keeping up
with friends.

● Addressing Developmental Delays: Physical therapy can be a game-changer for children who are experiencing delays in reaching milestones like rolling over, crawling, or walking. Your PT will assess your child to identify the areas holding them back, and create a fun
program to help them develop the skills they need to progress.

● Recovering from Injuries: Did your little athlete take a tumble? PTs can help kids heal from sports injuries and surgeries. A PT will help your child restore strength and flexibility so they can safely get back to their favorite activities.

● Managing Chronic Conditions: Children with conditions like cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy can benefit from physical therapy to help manage their symptoms and improve their overall function and well-being. A PT will assess your child to identify areas of strength
and areas that need improvement. They will then develop a program to help your child maximize their strength, range of motion, coordination, and endurance. They’ll educate you and your child on things you can work on at home. They can also help get your child any
needed equipment like wheelchairs, braces, or walkers.

Benefits Beyond Movement

Physical therapy isn’t just about physical health. While physical therapists play an important role
in promoting physical activity and health in kids, PTs can also help children with:
● Self-Confidence: As kids gain strength, coordination, and independence, their confidence soars. This can have a positive impact on all areas of their lives.
● Pain Management: PTs can teach children techniques to manage pain and discomfort, improving their overall quality of life.
● Socialization: Gross motor skills help children participate in play and games with peers, which help children develop social skills and build friendships.

If you think your child might benefit from physical therapy, find a Phoenix Physical Therapy Location near you. They can assess your child’s needs and create a personalized plan to help them reach their goals.

Article courtesy of APTA.

The entire Phoenix Physical Therapy Team is committed to providing our patients with quality physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy in a safe and healthy clinic environment. We continue to follow the guidance provided by the CDC, WHO and public health officials to update you as new information becomes available. Let’s work together to keep each other safe and healthy.

The safety of our patients, communities and team members remains our top priority. We know you have a choice in your care providers and appreciate your commitment to Phoenix and our qualified clinicians.

Here are the actions we have taken to keep our patients, communities and team healthy & safe:

  • Flexible scheduling allows for social distancing
  • Regular cleaning and sanitation of all clinic surfaces
  • Facemasks must be worn by all Phoenix staff and are recommended for all patients
  • Screening questionnaire and temperature checks prior to entering clinics
  • 6 feet of social distancing throughout the clinics

Keeping Our Clinics Safe

Here are some tips on how we can keep each other safe:

  • Handwashing is your best self-defense against the spread of germs. When soap and water are not available and hands are not visibly dirty, use at least a 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Please stay home if you are not feeling well, especially if you have a fever, are coughing or sneezing, or are experiencing shortness of breath. If a patient shows up with symptoms, the clinic team will work with them to reschedule.
  • Be vigilant. If you have traveled to any of the countries where there are outbreaks of the virus, please follow guidance from the CDC website and our Travel Guidelines.

Here are actions we are taking to keep our clinics clean and safe:

  • Equipment will be wiped down after EVERY use with antibacterial wipes/sprays
  • All surfaces that patients or staff may touch including door handles, countertops, seating, pens at sign-in, bathroom and all other common areas will be disinfected regularly
  • Treatment tables will be 6 feet apart
  • Team members will wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, particularly after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing their nose, coughing or sneezin
  • Clinics will have hand sanitizer available at the front desk and in the treatment areas
  • Any Phoenix team members who are ill will be asked to stay home
  • We will maintain social distancing between patients in the clinic
  • Caregivers that are bringing a patient to the clinic should wait in their car or come back when the appointment has ended unless necessary (i.e. minor requiring a guardian or for assistance needs)
  • When possible, we will treat patients in private rooms to increase social distancing
  • Any patients that have underlying health issues (i.e. diabetes, respiratory problems, etc.) will be given the option to be seen during special clinic hours or can opt to be treated in a private room away from other clinicians and patients
  • All patients should be self-screening before entering the clinic. Our PCCs will perform a secondary screening during the check-in process and before patients enter the clinic including a screening questionnaire and temperature check.
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