The Benefits of Risky Play for Kids As parents, keeping our children safe is always a priority. While it is important to prevent serious injuries, not every risk needs to be avoided. In fact, age-appropriate “risky play” can be an important part of childhood development. Risky play gives children opportunities to challenge themselves, test their…
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…
Why Is Yoga Beneficial for Your Child? Yoga is more than stretching. It is a fun way for children to build strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and body awareness while learning how to control their breathing and manage stress. For children, yoga can support many of the same skills that are addressed during physical therapy. It…
Physical Therapy and Concussions: What You Need to Know About Recovery If you or your child plays sports, you have probably heard the word concussion many times. Concussions can happen in football, soccer, basketball, hockey, cheerleading, gymnastics, and many other sports. They can also happen outside of sports from falls, bike accidents, playground injuries, or…
10 Sensory Tips and Tricks for Back to School The back-to-school season is exciting, but it can also be a big adjustment for children. New routines, busy classrooms, increased expectations, and social interactions can all place extra demands on a child’s sensory system. As the school year approaches, your child may benefit from the following…
How Physical Activity Improves Brain Health Most people know that regular exercise is good for their heart, muscles, and joints. But did you know it can also improve brain health? Research shows that regular physical activity helps keep your brain healthy at every stage of life. Exercise can improve attention, memory, learning, problem-solving, and decision-making.…
Easy Ways to Practice Speech Sounds with Your Child Does your child have trouble saying certain sounds clearly? You’re not alone. Many children need extra practice learning speech sounds, also called articulation. The good news is that practice doesn’t have to feel like homework. With a few fun activities, you can help your child build…
The Hidden Benefits of Plyometrics Training We all know the benefits to staying healthy through exercise. However, knowing what specific exercises are needed to accomplish our goals is often challenging. A quick online search is overwhelming, with results varying from cardio to lifting weights to body weight and stretching exercises. It’s confusing to figure out…
How Chronic Stress Quietly Changes Your Body—and How Physical Therapy Can Help Everyone experiences stress. While we often think of it as something that only affects our minds, ongoing stress can have a significant impact on the body as well. When stress lasts for weeks, months, or even years, it can affect how your muscles,…
Is My Baby Lazy? Probably Not. It’s something many parents have experienced. You’re at a family gathering, and everyone is gathered around the babies. One baby is busy rolling, another is trying to crawl, while yours is content to sit, watch, and take it all in. Then come the comments: “How old is your baby?”…
