Pediatric Physical Therapy in Woodside
When exploring options for pediatric physical therapy in Woodside, you may wonder what is different about physiotherapy when it comes to treating children.
As an adult, you are capable of evaluating your personal situation and making a decision to sign up for physical therapy. Children do not have this ability and often do not understand why they are in therapy.
Because of this, children’s physical therapy involves a level of mental connection between the client, their family and their therapist. Care is considered a collaborative effort that takes place at home as well as in the clinic.
As parents, you will learn how to continue the work of a therapist to a smaller degree throughout the week, getting your child used to assigned exercises and, at times, assistive technology such as orthotics or a wheelchair.
Not a Small Adult
Often children are treated as small adults, but this is not the case. Anatomically and physiologically children are quite different.
Aside from the fact that a child is still developing, they are also at greater risk for toxin absorption. Due to their rapid rate of growth, children also have rapidly dividing cells. The way a child’s physical treatment is carried out is different from the mental support they will receive from their therapist.
Benefits of a Gentle Environment
Children requiring physiotherapy are treated in a gentle environment. While all physical therapists are trained on a physical level, pediatric therapists train on a compassionate neurological level as well.
As an adult, you can get on a Woodside bus and make your way to our clinic to get treated for a sprain, or chronic condition such as arthritis. In this situation, you have made your decision and know what to expect in terms of results.
Children do not have this opportunity.
When confronting a child with their therapy plan, therapists still rely on education but mainly on emotion. Children are very clear in what they express to adults when they are reacting to a situation.
If a child is open to treatment they will have more fun and want to get involved in planning their rehabilitation process. If a child is closed and confused they will shy away from the process. It is the pediatric physical therapist’s job to work with them, however they present themselves. Your child will never be forced into an uncomfortable situation and the entire immediate family will be well informed along the way.
Determining Necessity
Does your child need pediatric physical therapy? This question does not always have a simple answer.
If your child expresses discomfort in day-to-day life, it is important to listen to these complaints. Whether your son or daughter presents an obvious disability or injury, this is not the most important factor.
At One To One Physical Therapy we are alert and ready to hear whatever a child has to say, and the best course of action we can recommend to you is to do the same.