About Pediatric Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is the field of medicine that helps to improve or restore a patient’s physical function after it is been impaired through injury or disease. There are many specialty fields within physical therapy one of which is pediatric physical therapy. Pediatric physical therapists assist doctors in evaluation, detection and treatment of health problems related to muscles, bones and joints.
Diseases Requiring Physical Therapy
Several childhood diseases benefit the patient tremendously when physical therapy is used in conjunction with medical treatment of the disease. Some of these diseases include:
- Spina Bifida – A type of neural defect in which the spinal canal fails to close completely around the spinal cord.
- Scoliosis – You may have heard this disease referred to as curvature of the spine.
- Osgood-Schlatter - A common cause of knee pain. Especially prevalent in young males.
- Cerebral Palsy - A neurological disorder that affects body movement and muscle coordination.
- Torticollis – A congenital deformity, which causes the sternocleidomastoid muscle, located in the neck, to shorten.
- Developmental delays – Any one of a number of delays that might affect the child as the child grows up.
Benefits of Pediatric Physical Therapy
Pediatric physical therapy holds many benefits for those who seek out this form of treatment when warranted. In addition to the physical benefits such as decreasing muscle spasms, decreasing pain, restoring joint range of motion and helping to prevent contracture and limb deformity, the mental benefits for both the patient and the family are evident. Patients learn more about their disease, and with this knowledge, they gain confidence. The stress that follows patients and their families is markedly decreased as they see progress in the physical therapy. Parents especially feel relief as they see their child gain more confidence and understanding over the disease and its limitations.
Patients are taught ways to overcome the limitations that they have and are able to continue or resume daily activities and participate in normal social situations.