Pediatric Physical Therapy

The overall goal of physical therapy for children at Morton Plant Hospital is to improve each patient’s quality of function within his or her daily life; to assist the child in achieving age-appropriate gross motor development, self-help and play skills; to decrease the effect of the pathology in the functional activities, as well as correct/prevent progression of postural deviations.

Specific skills which may be addressed in physical therapy include:

• Functional mobility: gait and pre-gait training, transfers/transition skills, adaptive equipment, wheelchair skills, etc.
• Positioning: use of adaptive equipment for positioning, handling and transportation of the child.
• Neuromuscular and musculoskeletal systems: muscle strength, endurance, range of motion, coordination skills, motor planning, control of muscle tone, equilibrium and balance reactions, integration of developmentally appropriate reflexes and reactions, musculoskeletal deformities and deviations, etc.
• Physiological functions: improve cardiovascular function and fitness level, muscle strength and endurance, body mechanics and energy conservation techniques.
• Family education: home programs and activities, positioning, parent education and support.

Physical therapy is important for infants and children with problems and diagnoses related, but not limited to:

• Premature birth
• Cerebral Palsy and other neurological disorders
• Postural deviations
• Motor development disorders
• Orthopedic conditions (fractures, gait deviations, range of motion and strength issues)
• Gait deviation