5 Ways A Pediatric Physical Therapist Will Aid Your Child's Development

 

Are you a parent concerned about child development?

Play therapy is most effective in children aged three to twelve years old. Therapeutic play is often used for children after accidents or surgery. Therapeutic play also aids child development and improves behavior and attitude in children.

Physical therapy can help your child not only in a physical way but also mentally. Are you on the fence about taking your child to a pediatric physical therapist? You shouldn't be. Here is how a PT will help your child.

1. Keep Track of Your Child's Development

Most parents do the least when it comes to ensuring proper child development. You may think that all you need to do is take your child to a pediatrician every month so they can check your child.

Monitoring child development isn't enough. You must get your child physical therapy too.

Many pediatric physical therapy clinics do an intake assessment of your child. After that, they can help address your child's unique needs and help them improve. Benefits of physical therapy range from increased quality of movement to early assessment.

Quality of movement covers motor, balance, and equilibrium skills. Physical therapy incorporates many stretches and strengthening activities that improve your child's health. This also helps catch certain physical deviations and helps children get early intervention.

2. Helps Correct Physical Deviations

A child who doesn't reach expected developmental milestones will have developmental or physical problems. Physical therapists can help children with developmental problems to improve. They can also help your child overcome barriers that come with certain disabilities.

If your child walks in an atypical manner, this can cause many problems. Walking on the balls of the feet is a common gait problem fixed through physical therapy. Proper walking is an essential gross motor milestone.

Postural problems can be signs of many developmental disorders or physical disorders. Pediatric PTs spot these deviations and help recommend equipment such as orthopedic devices.

3. Fastens Recovery Time After Surgery

Physical therapy is often recommended after a child had an accident or surgery. Physical therapy helps a child recover faster after accidents.

Children who've suffered physical injuries need physical therapy to recover. Children with neurological problems also get better with physical therapy. Neurological problems often cause movement problems addressed through physical therapy.

4. Improves Mental Health

Improved behavior and attitude are also a benefit of physical therapy. Children having a hard time keeping up with peers can have the ability to form improved motor skills.

Enrolling your children in activities like sports helps them socialize. Socialization is important to your child's mental health. Connecting with peers is a fundamental need of children, so help your child meet this need early.

5. Gives Your Child an Edge

If your child has gait problems, they'll have a harder time keeping up with their peers. They may also have difficulties in physical activities such as sports. Gait and balance training helps your children correct and fix this issue.

If you plan to enroll your kid in physical activities such as ballet or soccer, PT can give your child an edge. PT can improve your child's motor skills and even make them advanced for their age.

Physical therapy strengthens muscles and tendons. This makes it perfect for physical activities, from dancing to sports. Advancing your child's motor skills will help them dominate in any physical activity.

Improve Your Child's Life Today With a Pediatric Physical Therapist

From strength to mental health, a pediatric physical therapist improves your child's life. There are many other benefits of physical therapy. Share these benefits with other parents too.

What's stopping you from helping your child meet their milestones? Check out our other blog posts to learn more about similar topics!