Pediatric physical therapy is the branch of physical therapy dedicated to the counseling, treatment and care of infants, children and adolescents who have developmental delays, movement disorders, whether congenital or acquired, or who are at risk of developing them.

What is the role of a physical therapist in pediatrics?

Performs a comprehensive assessment of the child and his or her environment, establishing with the family and the child the goals to be achieved through treatment or intervention. It is recommended that these objectives be short term to allow for periodic reviews.

Determines the most appropriate treatment or therapeutic intervention for the child’s situation, considering the child’s biopsychosocial totality. The pediatric physical therapist has various resources and techniques at his disposal, such as mobilizations, strengthening exercises, respiratory physiotherapy techniques, as well as the creation and application of postural or mobility aids, and the adaptation of objects. However, the most important tools are play and the stimulation of movement learning.

It provides support to children’s families and collaborates with other professionals in health, education and social services. This approach promotes the child’s participation in daily routines at home, school and in the community.

It periodically monitors the results according to the established objectives. The current trend is for the physiotherapist to intervene more and more in children’s natural environments, such as homes, schools, kindergartens and parks.

Pediatric physical therapy can be useful for a wide range of children, from newborns to adolescents up to 18 years of age. This type of care is especially beneficial for those who require treatment and follow-up in order to alleviate, reduce and prevent alterations in their motor or postural development, which may be caused by various conditions, such as: neurological disorders (such as Cerebral Palsy, Cerebral Palsy, Cranioencephalic Trauma, Spina Bifida, Spina Bifida, etc.). Cranioencephalic Trauma, Spina Bifida, among others). Neuromuscular conditions (including Spinal Muscular Atrophy and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy). Musculoskeletal problems (such as Achondroplasia, Perthes Disease, Congenital Hip Dislocation, Congenital Torticollis and Plagiocephaly). Respiratory diseases (such as Bronchiolitis, Cystic Fibrosis and Asthma). Genetic disorders (such as Down Syndrome, Rett Syndrome and Wolf Syndrome). Other conditions.

What type of interventions are carried out?

Educational and informative workshops aimed at parents, with the objective of promoting proper development, always considering quaternary prevention, which seeks to offer the least possible intervention with the highest quality, avoiding pathologizing situations that are not pathological. An example of this are the workshops on baby handling and parenting, aimed at promoting motor development.

As for secondary prevention, which refers to intervention in children who present risk factors, preventive and follow-up actions are carried out to monitor motor development and its effects on other areas of growth, in those children who have been identified as being at risk according to scientific evidence, always with the consideration of quaternary prevention.

Information adapted from: https://www.sefip.org/fisioterapia-pediatrica/