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Physical Therapy Helps Children Move with Confidence

June 17, 2024 | Tips & Trends
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Physical therapy isn’t just for adults recovering from injuries. Pediatric PTs use fun, play-based programs to get kids moving and help them reach their goals.

How Pediatric Physical Therapy Works

Pediatric PT sessions are all about play! Therapists use games, activities, and exercises tailored to a child’s specific needs and interests. This might involve:

  • Building Strength and Coordination: PTs can help children improve their balance, agility, and muscle control with fun activities such as walking like animals, going through obstacle courses, or playing games. The skills learned in these activities are essential for everything from moving through the world to keeping up with friends.
  • Addressing Developmental Delays: Physical therapy can be a game-changer for children who are experiencing delays in reaching milestones. PTs can help identify what’s holding them back, then help them develop the skills they need to progress towards the next milestones.
  • Recovering from Injuries: Just like adults, young athletes can get hurt. PTs help kids heal and regain strength and flexibility so they can return to their favorite activities safely.
  • Managing Chronic Conditions: Children with conditions like cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy can benefit from physical therapy to manage their symptoms and improve their overall function and well-being.

Benefits Beyond Movement

Physical therapists play an important role in promoting physical activity and general health. But the benefits of physical activity go beyond that. By improving movement and coordination, PTs also help children with:

  • Self-Confidence: As kids gain strength and independence, they start to meet their goals. This helps with confidence, impacting all areas of their lives.
  • Pain Management: PTs can teach children techniques to manage pain and discomfort, improving their overall quality of life.
  • Socialization: Children use gross motor skills to play and participate in games with peers. Better gross motor skills help children develop social skills and build friendships.

If you think your child might benefit from physical therapy, talk to your pediatrician, or give your PT a call. They will assess your child’s needs and create a personalized plan to help them reach their goals!

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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