As a parent or caregiver you may be questioning, “Why is my child’s therapist working on crawling when they can walk?” Or, “Why are we working on core strength when I am concerned my child is toe-walking?” The Role of Physical Therapists in Child Development As physical therapists our job is to examine and evaluate…
Sore? “Who Cares!” Achy? “No problem.” Stiff? “No big deal.” We…are Weekend Warriors, athletes, Crossfitters, exercisers! If we did not like to “feel the burn,” we would still be working out at a local gym using elliptical machines and machine weights. But when the feeling goes beyond the burn and enters into pain, or even…
Some children may have a difficult time regulating their emotions. This could stem from being unable to communicate their feelings or not understanding how emotions affect how their body feels. The Zones of Regulation curriculum developed by Leah Kuypers helps us teach children how they are feeling by categorizing emotions into zones that correlate with…
Physical Therapy Decreases Fall Risk in Older Adults The risk of falling as we age tends to increase, as do the consequences of falling. Conditions such as sarcopenia (loss of muscle strength and mass), neuropathy, arthritis, low blood pressure and cognitive decline can all increase our risk of falling, and if someone falls one time,…
Understanding and Improving In-Toeing In-toeing, sometimes called being “pigeon-toed,” is when a child walks or runs with their toes pointing inward. This often happens because of a natural rotation in the hip, knee, or foot. In many cases, in-toeing improves on its own as a child grows and their bones develop. While in-toeing is usually…
Understanding Pain: A Complex and Subjective Experience “It REALLY hurts.” Pain is a tough subject. It is subjective. Not to say that your pain is not real or to say something does not REALLY hurt. However, pain can be perpetuated, magnified, and catastrophized based on your perspective and attitude towards your pain experience. My Personal…
5 Sensory Strategies to Explore Food For children with sensory feeding difficulties or limited diets, mealtime can be a challenging experience. Whether it’s the texture, smell, or taste, that triggers discomfort, many kids can struggle to engage with food in ways that promote healthy eating habits and a balanced diet. What if we could help…
5 Ways to Prevent Injuries in Youth Sports Sports are a great way to help children develop physically and emotionally. Unfortunately, they also open the door for potential injuries. The following are five components that help prevent sports-related injuries in children. Each should be considered when your child becomes involved in a sport—whether recreationally or…
The Pitcher’s Shoulder: Common Injuries and How Physical Therapy Can Help Who doesn’t like baseball? The distinct sound of the bat hitting the ball just right. The smell of hot dogs and popcorn. The joyful noise kids make when they see their favorite players. Baseball is America’s pastime, which is why most of our kids…
Improving Pencil Grasp Development Through Play Before children are developmentally ready to grasp a pencil correctly, there are milestones they must complete in order to build the necessary strength and fine motor control for proper handwriting. Pre-school age children need to be able to stack blocks, grasp small items, and engage in messy play without…
