What is physical therapy?

Physical therapy incorporates a variety of treatments to help build strength, improve movement, and strengthen gross motor skills needed to complete daily activities.

Physical therapists might guide kids through:

• developmental activities such as crawling and walking
• weightlifting to build strength around an injury
• flexibility exercises to increase range of motion
• balance and coordination activities
• adaptive play
• aquatic (water) therapy
• safety and prevention programs
• instruction on how to avoid injuries
• improving circulation around injuries by using heat, cold, exercise, electrical stimulation, massage, and ultrasound

Doctors often recommend physical therapy for kids who have been injured or have movement problems from an illness, disease, or disability.

Physical therapists are often able to relieve pain and help kids resume daily activities. After an injury, physical therapists teach kids exercises designed to help them regain strength and range of motion, and also show them how to prevent a recurring injury.

Physical therapy (PT) may be needed any time a child has difficulty moving in such a way that it limits daily activities.