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Physical Therapy

• What is physical therapy?
• What is a physical therapist?
• How do I know if my child needs physical therapy?
• Do your therapists have special training?

Physical therapy

Physical therapy is a skilled intervention that focuses primarily, but not solely, on relieving pain, promoting healing, restoring function and movement, and facilitation and adaptation associated with injury and disability.

Pediatric therapy helps children learn to successfully and independently perform gross motor skills (running, jumping, hopping) and functional mobility skills (ambulation, stair climbing, wheelchair mobility, transfers). A variety of treatment interventions are used including: developmental activities, therapeutic exercise, balance and coordination activities, adaptive play activities, mobility training, safety and prevention programs, and activities to promote overall wellness.

What is a physical therapist?

A physical therapist is a licensed healthcare professional who utilizes various treatment interventions to maximize an individual’s movement and overall function. In pediatrics, a physical therapist helps children reach their full potential in the performance of gross motor and functional mobility skills. A therapist may work with a child who has a specific health impairment/disease, poor coordination, decreased muscle strength, muscle tone, or flexibility, delayed achievement of motor milestones, or following an injury.

How do I know if my child needs physical therapy?

Your child/infant may benefit from physical therapy if:

• They are not meeting the expected developmental milestones during the first year of life (ie. rolling, sitting, standing, walking).
• They have a strong preference for turning their head to one side or using one side of their body.
• They walk up on the balls of their feet or walk in an atypical/awkward manner.
• They have difficulty keeping up with their peers during play.
• They are not able to perform the same gross motor tasks (ie. hopping, jumping, skipping) as their peers.
• They frequently trip and fall when walking.
• They complain of pain when performing gross motor tasks.
• They were injured and are not able to perform at their prior level of function.

Do your therapists have special training?

All of our physical therapists hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited physical therapy program. Each therapist must pass a national accreditation exam and attain an Illinois state license. Continuing education is required for renewal of the Illinois license every two years.

Attending continuing education courses is very important to our therapists as it allows us to provide the best possible care to the child. Based on courses that we have attended we are able to offer a variety of treatment techniques including: Neuro Developmental Treatment (NDT), Kinesio Taping®, TheraTogs™, Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES), Myofascial Release, Stabilizing Pressure Input Orthosis (SPiO), sensory integration techniques and the use of the LiteGait® for partial weight bearing gait training. In addition, our physical therapists are now offering aquatic therapy.