Physiotherapy

What is a Physiotherapist?

Children’s physiotherapy is the management and care of babies, children and young people from birth to 18 years or school leaving age (some young people may be directed to adult services as appropriate). Physios work together with children, young people, their families and others involved in their care. They support children and young people to reach their physical potential.

The Physiotherapy Team is made up of Physiotherapists and Physiotherapy Clinical Support Workers. If needed the child/young person will be allocated to a named Physiotherapist. This Physiotherapist will help to support you and your child/young person. They will work alongside the team around your child/young person. Physiotherapy Clinical Support Workers work with children, young people and the team around them to carry out the agreed plan. Any intervention will take place in the most appropriate setting.

With your consent, a Physiotherapy student may also be involved. The student will be supervised by your child/young person's Physiotherapist.

What do Physiotherapists do?

Physiotherapists will listen to what matters to you and your child/young person. We will discuss any concerns and work together to work out if and how Physiotherapy can help. We will work together with others to support your child/young person's health and wellbeing. Physiotherapists can help with a wide range of conditions, motor development and acute illness and injury. Physiotherapists might offer a combination of the treatment options described below:

• Activity/Exercise Programs
• Advice and guidance
• Botulinum Toxin-A (Botox®) - Botox® is an injection that targets specific muscles to help relieve muscle stiffness and painful muscle spasms.
• Equipment
• Falls Management
• Hydrotherapy - Hydrotherapy is a treatment that uses the proprieties of water for many effects. It can help with reducing tone, improving joint range of movement and strengthening. It involves specific handling, exercises and movements within the water.
• Joint Mobilisation - Joint mobilisation can help to maintain the length of muscles and reduce pain.
• Lycra - Lycra garments aim to help with the management of altered muscle tone, improve posture and functional ability.
• Pain Management
• Rebound Therapy - Rebound Therapy uses the bounce, speed and rhythm of a trampoline to have specific effects.

For more information look at the Paediatric Physiotherapy page from the Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists (APCP).

How can Physiotherapists Help Children and Young People?

Physiotherapy is not one thing; it is a whole-child approach to therapy. It uses the knowledge and skills of therapists to make treatment plans unique to that child. Therapists share these skills with the families and anyone else involved in the child’s care. This helps to make sure that the special advice is in use across all areas of the child’s life. This provides an opportunity for that child to develop and maximize their potential. 

Early Years 

Physiotherapy in the early years promotes the development of normal movement from birth. Children all develop at different rates. Most tend to follow the same path. As children grow, there may be areas of development and learning which will come more easily to them. There will be other areas of development that will be more of a challenge. Your child’s physiotherapy team will offer guidance to help you support your child with their gross motor skills. They will help you consider important factors related to your child’s movement and activity. Making activities fun and playful will help your child to practice areas that are challenging and nurture their abilities to their own unique level. You can find videos to support your child's development in key areas like tummy time, rolling and sitting the development section.

Muscle and Joint Problems 

Children and young people are developing and growing all the time. At some stages, they grow faster than at other stages. This sometimes means that they can experience muscle and joint issues. This is common. It should settle as their growing slows down. Stretches and exercises can help relieve some of the pain related to growth. Children and young people can also have soft tissue and bony injuries. Generally, they heal quickly. If they follow the advice given, they should be able to return to their normal activities. 

Neurological Conditions  

Problems with the brain, spinal cord or nerves can cause changes with your child’s movements. This can cause difficulties with muscle tone, strength, sensation, balance and co-ordination. This could have an impact on achieving some developmental milestones. Physiotherapy aims to make the most of your child’s potential. Every child and family have a unique journey with the team. Each journey aims to promote physical development and help reach individual functional goals. 

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)  

• advice and safe physical activities for those on a weight restoration journey,
• treatment for musculoskeletal complaints,
• guidance on how to return to healthy exercise
• advice about changing behaviour and making positive lifestyle changes.

Digital Service Provision 

The physiotherapy service offers various options to review your child without having to attend in person for an appointment. Using video technology, we can offer virtual appointments if required and suitable and we can also offer a service where you can upload video of your child to aid with assessment or review. 

Where do Physiotherapists work in Specialist Children’s Services? 

We aim to work in the most appropriate environment for you and your child/young person. This could include: 

• Child centres
• Out-patient clinics
• Homes
• Nurseries
• Schools
• Local leisure centres
• Online
• Within specific CAHMS teams

There is also a Physiotherapy Service at the Royal Hospital for Children Glasgow.