Physical Therapy
Our physical therapists evaluate and treat for a wide range of concerns, including:
- Atypical gait patterns or gait anomalies (such as toe-walking)
- Low or high muscle tone
- Delayed motor milestones
- Decreased endurance (quick to fatigue)
- Decreased strength (weakness)
- Frequent falling, poor balance, clumsiness
- Musculoskeletal conditions
- Joint dysfunction and pain
- Running coordination, form, and speed
- Footwear consultation
- Global or multiple developmental delays
- Genetic, neurological, and other conditions
- Inability to sit stilll (i.e. for a meal or for schoolwork)
A physical therapy treatment plan is developed based on a child’s individual needs, and in keeping with the APTA Vision Statement, “Transforming society by optimizing movement to improve the human experience.” Typical frequency of physical therapy treatment is one hour per week, which can be coordinated with other therapies at our Maplewood location.
During physical therapy, we use a variety of treatment styles; we are focused on your child and how to best serve them. Through neuromuscular education and therapeutic exercise, we guide our patients to their fullest potential and functional goals. Goals are in conjunction with your observations as well as ours. We want your child to be a PT Superstar!
What is Manual Therapy and how can it help?
As part of a comprehensive physical therapy evaluation and treatment plan, we offer manual therapy treatment. The manual therapy technique used is called Facilitation of Joint Movement. It is used to treat joint dysfunction that causes secondary muscle spasm and reflexive weakness.
Joint dysfunction decreases mobility, interferes with efficient movement patterns, and may lead to localized or generalized pain. This decreased joint movement can cause false weakness and muscle spasm that do not allow specific muscle groups to develop strength. Plateaus in occupational and physical therapy programs can often be explained by untreated joint dysfunction!
Joint dysfunction is easily diagnosed and highly treatable. Facilitation of Joint Movement (manual therapy) reduces restriction and facilitates increased range of motion, which allows a child to progress to their full potential.
Manual therapy may be indicated if any of the following difficulties are seen:
- Pain or stiffness
- Calf cramps
- Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep (in addition to one or more other signs)
- Problems sitting or standing still
- Need to lean on something while standing
- Frequent falling
- Awkward motor skills
- Poor balance
- Difficulty with squat, army crawl, one foot hop
- Toe-walking
- Poor foot position in standing or running
- Kyphosis (round shoulders) in sitting or standing
- Decreased trunk rotation
- Decreased endurance that does not appear to improve with exercise programs
- Refusal to lay or play in prone (on tummy)
- Unusual requests to be carried or use a stroller