What does a physical therapist do with children? Does a part of medicine really exist where a physical therapist can't improve a young patient's condition? Not really. We can help in neurological, orthopedic, traumatic conditions, among the other pediatric disease. Also in some conditions physical therapy treatment is necessary. Like in Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, Birth Brachial Plexus Palsy, Torticollis, Scoliosis, traumatic brain injury, congenital and acquired amputations, acute and long-term spinal cord injury, fractures... We can also manage children with muscle diseases such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy, pediatric burns, and a myriad of congenital disabilities.

Cerebral palsy is a problem with motor movements and coordination due to damage to the brain, of which the cause is not always known. Being a parent of a child who suffers from cerebral palsy demands more responsibility in choosing right treatments. One choice certainly, is physical therapy. Physical therapy places the focus on building muscle strength, coordination, balance and also managing the daily routine in learning new motor skills. Those sessions typically take place in 45-minute sessions, five times a week, and a continuous home program is very important. Because of that, a physical therapist educates a child's parents about safe and necessary home activities, besides exercise.

Spina bifida is congenital defect of the spinal column due to imperfect union of the vertebral parts. Intensive treatment is necessary from the first days, includes passive exercises which follows stage of child's development.

Now, let's recap a scoliosis definition. Scoliosis is a term that describes the excessive sideway curvature of the spine. What does that mean? What can parents see for themselves? Look your child's pants or skirts. They could hang at a slight angle on the body. If the shoulder is higher on one side of the body, your child may need a doctor's exam. What if he sends you to a physical therapist? Your child will be examined again, by physical therapist, and he will probably prescribe home exercise instructions to help improve posture and appropriate spinal mobility. This home program should include: stretching of tight muscles, strengthening for weak muscles, aerobic program and in some conditions breathing exercises for chest expansion. Also, electrical stimulation is sometimes prescribed for straightening the lateral spinal curve.

A treatment for child's fractures is pretty simple. As parents, you just have to wait few weeks for fracture to heel. After that bring your child to a physical therapist and let him help. He will reduce pain and discomfort during the healing process, and with passive or active type of exercise he will encourage return of strength and motion of the broken limb.

In the next article don't miss more about children's physical therapy and good advice about prevention of their ergonomic problems!