How is Heavy Work Beneficial for My Child? by Marisa Fiorentino, OTR/L Kids Place North Pediatric Occupational Therapist Are your kiddos constantly running, crashing, and jumping around the house? Do they have difficulty sitting still and sustaining attention to activities at school or home? Does their constant need for movement prevent them from partaking in…
Do I Really Need to Get an X-Ray or MRI? by Casey Rightmyer, DPT AzOPT Prescott Doctor of Physical Therapy Are you confused about imaging? Your doctor suggested an X-Ray or MRI based on your symptoms. But what does each analyze and how do they help understand your condition? Let’s break down the most common…
8 Tips to Support a Positive Mealtime Environment by Kaileigh Nall, CCC-SLP Kids Place North Speech and Feeding Therapist Are mealtimes stressful at your home? Here are 8 tips to help support a positive mealtime environment for the whole family! 1. Involve your child in food preparation and clean up. Parents can do this by…
Five Toys to Develop Visual Motor and Fine Motor Skills by Kristen Henderson, M.S., OTR/L Kids Place West Pediatric Occupational Therapist Slot Toy Slot toys help to improve wrist dexterity, precision with visual motor tasks, object manipulation skills, and problem solving. These toys also address object permanence, or the ability to know that an object…
Should I Go to Physical Therapy If I’m in Too Much Pain? By Tyler Guymon, DPT Buckeye Clinic Manager and Physical Therapist “I am going to cancel today; I am in too much pain to come in.” We hear this every now and then at AzOPT. During the course of your rehabilitation program, you may…
Haircuts are sometimes KNOT fun! Many people associate going to the salon or barber with a fresh start, a time to wind down, or to be pampered. It can be a relaxing experience for most individuals; however it can also be a scary and uncomfortable place for children with sensory processing difficulties. What is sensory…
Each year, more than 30 million falls are reported among adults 65 and older. While increased numbers of falls are associated with older adults, falls are not a normal part of aging. Medical experts recommend staying active and completing activities that strengthen your legs and improve balance. Tai Chi activities on land and Ai Chi…
Play Based Speech Therapy by Lauryn Bates, M.S., CCC-SLP Kids Place Speech Language Pathologist Play based speech therapy is a common approach used by speech-language pathologists that creates engaging and meaningful experiences for their patients. It is commonly used for young children, but it can continue to be used into the elementary years. Play based…
Keep Fit Over 50 with Physical Therapy By Ryann Roberts, DPT Owner and Doctor of Physical Therapy Arizona Orthopedic Physical Therapy (AzOPT) Why should I be in physical therapy if I’m over 50 years old? Physical therapists play an important role in restoring and improving motion in people’s lives. Nobody understands this more than the…
Tips for Introducing Solids When is my child ready for solids? By six months, most children are ready to be introduced to solids. Regardless of age, it is important to consider your child’s gross motor skills before introducing solids. There is a direct relationship between gross motor development (e.g., sitting up, crawling, walking, etc.) and…
