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How At-Home Pediatric Physical Therapy Works
“In-home pediatric physical therapist near me….”
“How does at-home pediatric physical therapy work?”...
If your browser history is inundated with searches like this, then chances are you’re spending all your free time trying to find the best care for your kid.
Whether they’re suffering from a sports-related injury or need extra help learning how to walk, physical therapy is a great way to help your kid build the strength they need to participate in daily activities, but if you’re looking for more of an in-depth explanation as to how PT works, then you’re in the right place.
In this article, we’ll dive head-first into the world of physical therapy for kids and give you all the information you need to know—from how to prepare for the first session to finding the best physical therapist in your area.
Read on to spend less time researching and more time getting your child the care they deserve.
What Is Pediatric Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy (PT) helps patients improve their strength, mobility, flexibility, and coordination to decrease their pain and increase their ability to accomplish daily tasks.
People who suffer from injuries, have had recent surgery, struggle with coordination, or have a disorder that makes certain movements difficult may be able to benefit from PT.
At pediatric physical therapy, physical therapists (PTs) work with kids of all ages to meet their movement-based goals and improve their strength. Whether it’s being able to walk up the stairs alone or returning to sport, PTs can help children perform everyday activities
From babies to teenagers, here are some reasons a child may require PT:
- Injuries
- Developmental delay
- Genetic disorders
- Birth defects
- Muscular dystrophy
- Cerebral palsy
- Cardiac issues
How Do I Know If My Child Needs PT?
Children of all ages may qualify for physical therapy of some kind. If your child has been diagnosed with a disorder that causes pain or makes physical movement of any kind more challenging, then PT may be a great treatment option.
Can Physical Therapy Be Done At Home?
Yes! PT can easily be done at home. Not only does in-home PT save you the hassle and time spent commuting.
Benefits of At-Home Pediatric PT
Physical therapy is a great way for your kid to treat and prevent injuries, build strength, increase mobility, increase flexibility, and gain independence in their daily life.
The good news about in-home PT is that it allows your kid to achieve all the same goals as they would in therapy at a clinic, and even includes some extra benefits:
- More personalized treatment during your 1-on-1 session
- PT can use your child’s everyday environment and incorporate exercises they can start applying (e.g., stepping in and out of the bathtub, getting in and out of their bed, etc.)
- Your child may be more receptive to treatment in a familiar environment
- An unlimited number of caregivers can be present for each session unlike at some clinics, allowing you to easily monitor and participate in each session
- Fewer distractions can help your child focus on treatment
How At-Home Pediatric Physical Therapy Works
At-home PT works similarly to clinic-based treatment. Generally, your therapist will evaluate your child in the first session, come up with a treatment plan, and then get to work.
But while at-home care follows a similar process, it can be a bit more personalized and look a little different than PT at a clinic.
Read through the steps below to learn more about how in-home PT works:
- “In-Home Pediatric Physical Therapist Near Me”
As a parent, you want to find the best care for your kid. And when it comes to in-home PT, you want to be sure that the person you’re inviting into your home is not only an expert in their field but is recommended and trusted by parents like you.
To find the best pediatric physical therapist in your area, use these tips:
- Reach out to Coral Care to get matched with a PT near you in two weeks or less
- Google, “In-Home Pediatric Physical Therapist Near Me” and sort through providers in your area, reading reviews and viewing profiles.
- Talk with your pediatrician and receive a referral for a PT in your area
Once you find a trusted at-home PT, go ahead and schedule the first evaluation session.
- Evaluate
On the day of the first session, your PT should arrive at your home at the agreed upon time and come prepared to evaluate your child. Don’t be surprised if they bring equipment to help in the process (e.g., exercise balls, exercise bands, or some light weights), to help test your child’s strength, flexibility, mobility, and coordination.
The extent of exercises and activities will depend on your child’s age and abilities. For many young children, the PT may simply have them play with their toys or perform other basic physical activities. PT’s may also use hands-on techniques to evaluate and treat your child, asking if certain movements cause them pain or if an area hurts to the touch.
But before they start with any evaluation, the PT will spend time listening to you and your child discuss their injury, pain, limitations, and goals.
You will be present with your child the entire time, serving as an advocate and extra set of ears. Don’t be afraid to jump in and ask questions!
PRO TIP: Before the evaluation session, make sure to clear a space in your living room, playroom, or other area that gives your child the freedom to move around. It doesn’t need to be a huge space–just a safe and secure area for your child and the PT to work through different movements (e.g, minimize breakables, sharp corners, or toys to trip on).
- Plan
At the end of the evaluation session, your child’s PT will discuss their findings and their recommended course of action, including:
- Goals for improving strength, mobility, flexibility, and more.
- Frequency of treatment
- Estimated length of recovery
- If any other imaging is recommended (e.g., MRI, x-ray, etc.)
- If any other referrals are needed (e.g., Neurologist, Rheumatologist, etc.)
Chances are, your PT will hit the ground running and give your child some fun at-home exercises to do in between sessions to help them improve.
- Start Regular PT
Once the PT has had a chance to evaluate your child and come up with a game plan, regular treatment will start. Each session should be challenging, but not painful, and include a variety of techniques:
- Exercises and activities
- Manual manipulations, massage, etc.
- Cold or hot compress to improve circulation, etc.
Understandably, your child may be a bit tired or even sore after their session. Be sure to follow any rest and recovery recommendations your PT may give.
And remember: stay on top of those home exercises!
- Improvement!
With time, many patients see improvement with consistent PT. For some, this means a decrease in pain and an increase in independence as they start to gain strength, coordination, and mobility to complete their daily exercises. Whatever your child’s goals are, PT is a great way to help them achieve them.
Once your child reaches their goals and no longer needs physical therapy, your PT will recommend stopping treatment. However, they may encourage your child to continue their at-home exercises and activities to keep their new strength and prevent injuries.
How to Find a Trusted Therapist Near You
Take the guesswork out of sorting through providers, and find a vetted physical therapist in your area with Coral Care. Through the Coral Care portal, we’ll help match your child with a highly-recommended in-home specialist who works with your schedule.
What are you waiting for? Start helping your kid work towards hitting their goals and milestones today!
