What is Physical Therapy?

Physical Therapy is a health care profession concerned with prevention and management of movement disorders arising from conditions and diseases occurring throughout the lifespan.

A physical therapist is trained in anatomy, neuroanatomy, physiology, and kinesiology. Specifically to pediatrics, a physical therapist studies childhood development of gross motor movement.

A physical therapist will evaluate a patient, then create goals, develop and facilitate a treatment plan.

With very young children, treatment is centered mostly around developmental and age appropriate play activities, which could include gross motor movement training, enhancing motor control and motor planning, therapeutic exercise, balance facilitation, training with mobility aids such as wheelchairs, walkers, or braces and consultation with parents and educators.