Dr. Mandy Kirk has years of experience treating hundreds of pediatric patients. Pediatric physical therapy is often play-based. Written home exercise programs are also provided so you can continue working on the deficits we identify in clinic.
In infants, this may include positioning work and helping your child achieve motor milestones. In older children, it can involve gross motor skills, strengthening and stretching, coordination, and gait (walking) activities. Each child is unique and will be treated that way during assessment and treatment.
Common conditions we treat
Some of the diagnoses we most often see in clinic.
Torticollis
Neck tightness found in babies and toddlers that creates a rotation in the head, with a slight tilt to the opposite side. Often this creates flatness on the back of the head. Torticollis is easily treatable with physical therapy if caught early enough.
Toe Walking
This can be a serious concern when children consistently walk on their toes and don't achieve heel contact. It can lead to poor balance and other foot and leg issues. Toe walking is often believed to be something children outgrow, but it can lead to further complications if left untreated.
Cerebral Palsy
A disorder that can include difficulty controlling movement, often involving poor strength, coordination, balance, and tight muscles. Muscle tone is often affected. There are varying degrees of severity, and presentation differs from child to child, but physical therapy is often necessary to improve general mobility.
Sports Injuries
When a child is injured playing a sport, it's important to immediately build up strength and perform modified activities so that child can return to their sport sooner, and prevent future re-injury.
Genetic Disorders
A physical therapist can assist with gross motor delays associated with a number of genetic diagnoses, including:
- •Trisomy 13
- •Muscular Dystrophy
- •Down's Syndrome
- •Arthrogryposis
- •And many others
Learning the right exercises at home can save you a trip to the physical therapist depending on severity. Reach out and we'll talk through what's going on with your child.
Ready to get started?
Request an evaluation and we'll build a plan together.