Paediatric Physiotherapy
Paediatric Physiotherapy provides specialist assessment and treatment of movement and developmental conditions in children from birth to 18 years -- supporting gross motor development, treating musculoskeletal conditions, and maximising mobility and participation in children with neurological and developmental conditions.
Overview
Paediatric physiotherapy applies specialised knowledge of child development, neurodevelopmental conditions, and age-appropriate therapeutic activities to maximise gross motor function and participation in childhood activities. The assessment uses validated age-appropriate developmental tools and family-centred approaches that involve parents and caregivers as active partners in the therapy programme. Early intervention in developmental motor delay and neurological conditions maximises neuroplasticity and long-term functional outcomes.
Paediatric Conditions Treated
- Cerebral Palsy (all motor subtypes -- tone management, mobility, and function)
- Developmental Co-ordination Disorder (DCD/dyspraxia)
- Brachial Plexus Birth Injury (Erb's palsy -- ROM and strength restoration)
- Positional Plagiocephaly and Congenital Muscular Torticollis
- Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (joint protection and mobility)
- Hypermobility Syndromes (EDS, hypermobility spectrum -- stability and pain management)
- Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (function maintenance and pulmonary support)
- Post-Surgical Rehabilitation (orthopaedic corrections, tendon lengthening)
Paediatric Physiotherapy Interventions
- Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT/Bobath for cerebral palsy)
- Gross Motor Skill Training (age-appropriate movement challenges)
- Hydrotherapy (buoyancy-assisted movement for severely limited children)
- Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT for hemiplegic CP)
- Treadmill Training (gait development in ambulant cerebral palsy)
- Orthotic Assessment (AFOs, wheelchair, standing frames)
- Strength and Conditioning (safe resistance exercise for adolescents)
- Home Exercise Programme (parent-led daily practice between sessions)
Paediatric Physiotherapy Indications
- Delayed gross motor milestones (not sitting by 9 months, not walking by 18 months)
- Abnormal tone (hypotonia or hypertonia) affecting movement and development
- Cerebral palsy diagnosis requiring physiotherapy assessment
- Torticollis with or without plagiocephaly in infancy
- Hypermobility causing joint pain and reduced activity participation
- Post-surgical rehabilitation after orthopaedic procedures
- Chronic pain in children affecting function and school attendance
- Adolescent sports injury requiring rehabilitation programme
Key Benefits
Discover the advantages of choosing our paediatric physiotherapy services.
Early developmental physiotherapy intervention maximises the window of neuroplasticity in childhood
Play-based therapy achieves higher repetition of therapeutic tasks than structured exercise alone
Botulinum toxin injection combined with physiotherapy prevents the contractures limiting CP function
Task-oriented DCD intervention achieves generalisation of skills to real-life contexts
Parent and school education maximises the carry-over and intensity of therapeutic practice throughout the child's day
Clinical Features
The technology, techniques and clinical approach behind our paediatric physiotherapy.
Standardised developmental motor assessment provides objective comparison to age-expected norms
Play-based therapeutic approach maximises child engagement and repetition of therapeutic tasks
CP motor management programme coordinated within the MDT for comprehensive optimisation
CO-OP approach for DCD is the most evidence-based intervention for functional skill development
Parent coaching ensures therapeutic principles are carried over into all daily activities
Preparation Instructions
Consistently perform your home exercise programme between appointments -- physiotherapy works best when combined with regular independent practice. Report any significant worsening of pain or new symptoms to your physiotherapist promptly. Attend all scheduled sessions without missing appointments as momentum and progressive loading are central to physiotherapy outcomes. Communicate openly if any exercise is causing increased pain as the programme must be adjusted to remain within therapeutic parameters.
The Procedure
Step-by-step guide to what you can expect during your paediatric physiotherapy procedure.
Developmental Assessment
A standardised developmental motor assessment (Bayley Scales MABC-2) examines gross motor fine motor and balance skills in the context of age-expected milestones -- identifying the specific motor development delays or deficits requiring targeted physiotherapy intervention.
Family-Centred and Play-Based Therapy
Paediatric physiotherapy is delivered through play-based activities that are intrinsically motivating for the child -- embedding therapeutic goals within enjoyable tasks that the child wants to repeat. Family coaching ensures therapeutic principles are carried over into daily routines.
Cerebral Palsy Spasticity and Motor Management
Children with cerebral palsy receive a comprehensive motor management programme -- physiotherapy orthotics serial casting and botulinum toxin injection to spastic muscles -- coordinated within the multidisciplinary team to optimise functional motor development at each developmental stage.
Developmental Coordination Disorder Intervention
Children with DCD receive task-oriented intervention (specifically practising the functional tasks they struggle with) based on the CO-OP (Cognitive Orientation to Daily Occupational Performance) approach -- proving more effective than process-based approaches.
Adolescent Sports and Activity Rehabilitation
Adolescent sports injuries and overuse conditions (Osgood-Schlatter Sinding-Larsen-Johansson Sever's disease) are managed with load modification relative rest activity modification and progressive rehabilitation specific to the growing musculoskeletal system.
Parent and School Education
Parents are coached in appropriate handling positioning stretching and activity promotion throughout the programme. School recommendations including PE modifications assistive technology needs and environmental adaptations support carry-over of rehabilitation goals.
What to Expect
Your physiotherapist performs a detailed assessment of your movement, strength, posture, balance, and functional performance. The findings are explained clearly and a personalised physiotherapy programme is developed collaboratively. Each session includes hands-on treatment and supervised exercise. A home programme between sessions is provided as consistent practice between appointments is essential for progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about paediatric physiotherapy.
Related Services
Explore other services in our Physiotherapy department.
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
Neurological Rehabilitation
Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
Ready to Get Started?
Schedule your consultation today and take the first step towards better health.