Everything You Need to Know About Physiotherapy for Babies

PHYSIOTHERAPY, FIX EAST VILLAGE

If you’re like many, you understand physiotherapy for adults, but what’s your understanding of physio for babies?

Paediatric Physiotherapist Taruna Moorjani breaks down frequently asked questions; she explains why treatments are crucial for children and what to expect from a paediatric physiotherapy appointment.

Everything you Need to Know About Physiotherapy for Babies [Summary]

1. WHAT IS A PAEDIATRIC PHYSIOTHERAPIST?
2. HOW DOES A PAEDIATRIC PHYSIOTHERAPIST TREAT BABIES?
3. WHAT ARE THE SIGNS MY CHILD MAY NEED PHYSIOTHERAPY?
4. WHAT TO EXPECT AT A BABY PHYSIOTHERAPY APPOINTMENT

What is a paediatric physiotherapist?

Paediatric physiotherapists are experts in child development, particularly in movement development. Movement is an essential aspect of development for babies and children.  Movement allows babies and children to explore their bodies, how they work, their environment, and everything in their world. Being able to move quickly and successfully is essential for learning and growing.

How does a paediatric physiotherapist treat babies?

We have expert skills in assessing, identifying, diagnosing, and treating child development and movement difficulties. We have highly developed hands-on skills, which we use with a big dash of fun and creativity to develop individualized therapy programs for each of our little ones. We collaborate with the child and the child’s family, more specifically, and other health professionals if needed. Our treatment programs aim to optimize each child’s health, well-being, and abilities to enable them to move and participate in everyday activities, like playing, learning, going to school, and being part of a family and community.

What are the signs my child may need physiotherapy?

Paediatric physiotherapists can help with greatly varying difficulties, these can include: 

• Babies and children who are slower to achieve their motor milestones, for example, babies who are late to learn to sit, crawl or walk.
• Babies and children who are using unusual patterns to move, for example, w-sitting or bottom shuffling, or toe walking.
• Babies that were born before 37 weeks (premature) need extra stimulation.
• Babies with breastfeeding difficulties and/or presenting tongue-tie.
• Children with difficulty with motor skills, such as jumping/hopping or ball skills.
• Toddlers and babies who are clumsy or uncoordinated.
• Children with disabilities such as cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, autism, brain injury, muscular dystrophies, or other congenital syndromes or conditions
• Babies and children with conditions affecting their bones, joints, or muscles, such as Plagiocephaly (flattened head shape), torticollis, clubfoot (also known as talipes), and flat feet.
• Children following an injury or trauma who require rehabilitation to get back to their best.
• Children with infant colic, constipation, and regurgitation (gastroesophageal reflux).
• Children with respiratory conditions such as bronchiolitis. 

What to expect at a baby physiotherapy appointment

During your baby’s physiotherapy appointment, we will:

• Assess your child’s motor and overall development using our observation skills, special measures, and specific hands-on assessment techniques.
• Identify what your child is doing well, what they are struggling with, and why.
• Develop a treatment program in collaboration with you and your child to address your child’s difficulties and maximize their abilities.

Your child’s treatment may include direct hands-on physiotherapy and osteopathy techniques, education about your baby’s condition and how they can improve, and providing activities or exercises to do at home that will help their progress. If needed, we will provide referrals to and/or liaison with other health professionals and support providers. 

Next steps…

Research has shown that early intervention improves outcomes for children with developmental difficulties.  If you have concerns about your baby’s or child’s development, call to make an appointment to see one of our experienced paediatric physiotherapists.  A doctor’s referral is not required – treatment of your child’s condition can start immediately; we do not have to wait for a diagnosis or a doctors review.

Taruna Moorjani

taruna@fixlondon.co.uk

Paediatric Physiotherapist

Physiotherapy for Babies – Women’s Health – Pelvic Health- Pregnancy and Post Natal