We specialize in pediatric physical therapy. We work with children from birth through young adulthood. Our physical therapists have experience working with Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Developmental Delay, Muscular Dystrophy, Orthopedic Injuries, CVA, Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, Spina Bifida, Tortocollis, and Traumatic Brain Injury. Pediatric-trained physical therapists provide comprehensive evaluations and develop care plans guided by a clinical approach. When appropriate, they use innovative new technology as part of specific therapies.
Physical Therapy is used to:
- Increase Head and Trunk Control
- Improve Standing and Walking
- Improve Balance and Coordination
- Improve Gross Motor Skills
- Assess Need for Orthopedic Equipment
- Improve Motor Planning
Indicators that your child would benefit from Physical Therapy:
- Muscle Stiffness/Tightness
- Delay in Obtaining Motor Milestones
- Poor Balance and Uncoordinated
- Difficulty in Moving Through the Environment
- Postural Abnormalities
- Muscle Weakness
- Pain
- Impairment due to a Neurological or Orthopedic Condition
Serial Casting of the Lower Extremity
These Serial Casting comments and guidelines are intended for use in patients 0-25 years of age with limitation in range of motion or those at risk of limitation in range of motion. These may include but are not limited to the following patient diagnosis:
Idiopathic Toe Walking (ITW), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Spasticity, Cerebral Palsy (CP),
Decreased Range Of Motion, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Decreased passive range of motion and or spasticity can be symptoms common to patients with cerebral palsy (CP), traumatic brain injuries (TBI), Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and idiopathic toe walking (ITW). Spasticity is typically caused by damage to the part of the brain (motor cortex) that controls voluntary movement. Patients that present with increased muscle tone and abnormal movement patterns are at a higher risk of muscle tightness.
Contractures and hypertonicity with associated limitations of passive and active range of motion are impairments frequently addressed in the rehabilitation of individuals with neuromuscular, neurological, and some soft tissue disorders. Spasticity is a muscular hypertonicity characterized by a velocity-dependent increased resistance to stretch, which is known to interfere with voluntary movement. Decreased range of motion at a joint results in abnormal movement and alignment at that joint with resultant decreased functional mobility.
Serial casting is a conservative technique that may be used to improve joint range in children with idiopathic toe walking (ITW) or spasticity. Serial casting in the cerebral palsy patient population has been shown to improve range of motion.
Our serial casting uses a series of casts to stretch soft tissue (i.e. muscles) for an extended period of time. This is done by applying a series of casts to gradually improve the child’s range of motion.. The goal of serial casting at the knee or ankle is to provide increased passive range of motion, prevent complications of deformity producing positions, allow future uses of orthotics when needed, and promote the highest level of function and mobility. Following casting, the therapeutic program includes: home stretching, bivalved casts used as night splints for prolonged stretching, and ongoing physical therapy treatment for strengthening and functional mobility training.
Kinesio Taping: What is Kinesio Taping?
The Kinesio Taping Methodâ is a taping technique applied over muscles to reduce pain and inflammation, relax overused muscles, and to facilitate muscles in movement. Kinesioâ tape, “ a flexible, latex-free tape that could be used on our Pediatric patients, neuromuscular, neurological and other medical conditions.”
In order for the tape to be properly used and evaluation and assessment must be performed. Once the assessment has been performed the tape may be applied to the specific target area. The tape is applied and pulled to different degrees of tension depending on the desired effect and result. The tape has been proven to have positive physiological effect on the skin, lymphatic system, circulatory system, fascia, muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints.
Benefits of Kinesio Taping:
- Relieve acute and overuse injury
- Promote circulation and healing
- Reduce Pain
- Improve muscle function
- Re- Educate neuromuscular system
- Provide Support to a joint
- Prevent injury