As a parent and an adult, you have probably experienced going to a physiotherapist and already know the benefits that come with physical therapy. But you might be curious as to whether or not it’s something you should consider for your child. This is especially important if your child is currently recovering from an injury or if they have physical disabilities.
To help you make the right decision for your child, Anytime Physio will share everything you need to know about physiotherapy for kids.
First, physiotherapy might be necessary if your child has:
- Issues with posture or balance and coordination
- Delays in gross motor skills development
- Problems with joint and muscles that may cause pain, weakness, or limited movement
- Weight management issues and physical activity recommendation
- Sports injury
- Scoliosis, plagiocephaly, or other conditions
- Developmental disabilities like autism syndrome disorder, down syndrome, or cerebral palsy
What You Need to Know Before You Go to a Physiotherapist
Your general practitioner might advise you to take your child to a physiotherapist. But before you do, you might want to ask your doctor about these things:
- Why you need to go to a physiotherapist
- Whether they’ll make the appointment for you or you’ll need to do it
- Whether there’s a waiting list
- How much will the visit cost and whether it’s covered by insurance
You will also want to do your homework and read up a bit about physiotherapy and the specific clinic where you will take your child. Keep in mind that they should be recognised by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, which means they have met the standards and requirements to perform physiotherapy in Australia.
How Physical Therapy Can Help Improve Your Child’s Overall Health and Wellness
- It Can Help Speed Up Your Child’s Healing
You have probably heard about how kids often heal faster than adults. While that sounds perfectly fine, it’s actually not always a good thing. For instance, this belief might make you and your child think that they can go back to their sports, dance, or other physical activity even when they haven't reached adequate healing yet.
While your child’s muscle tissue is elastic and can reduce the risk of minor injuries, it can actually increase the risk of a major one down the line. Take, for example, joint dislocation – it can happen because the muscles aren’t fully developed and this could lead to arthritis in the future.
- It Can Help with Serious Conditions
Contrary to what some might think, it’s not just physical injuries that are addressed by physiotherapy. In fact, it can have a positive impact on the quality of life of children with serious health conditions like cerebral palsy, spina bifida, developmental coordination disorder, and other genetic conditions. Physical therapy can also help kids with neurodevelopmental disorders like autism.
- It Helps Them Become More Aware of Their Physical Self
A physical therapist can help your child know more about the pains that they might be experiencing and what they can expect to go through in the future. In the end, they’ll have a better understanding of how their bones, muscles, and ligaments work together for their movement. With the knowledge they gain, they can identify a potential injury that others might think is normal growing pains. If they play sports, they’ll also learn how to observe proper form so that they can prevent injury while still performing well.
Conclusion
If your child requires a physio session, it’s a good idea to be prepared for it. Learn as much as you can from your GP, do your research or ask other parents who have kids receiving physical therapy. Also, make sure that your child is ready for their visit. When you go to your kid’s appointment, don’t hesitate to ask any questions about their treatment plan, as you have the right to know about it, and any PT will surely be happy to discuss these things with you.
Are you ready to introduce your child to physiotherapy in Brisbane? Anytime Physio is here to provide you with services that your child can benefit from. Contact us today to book an appointment or learn more about our services!
