Introduction

Any issue requiring this kind of therapy for those younger than 18 years old must be handled by a children's physiotherapist. Sometimes kids hurt themselves, in which case physiotherapy is also necessary.

When discussing physiotherapy as a treatment for kids with Down syndrome, it's essential to keep in mind that this condition will never fully improve. Physiotherapy primarily treats the complications unique to children with Down syndrome rather than the actual syndrome itself.

Four issues that are prevalent at this stage are the main focus of treatment for a child with Down syndrome in its early stages. Hypotonia is the initial one. Children with Down syndrome lack muscle tone, which causes their muscles to be loose and uncontrollable. 

Since hypotonia interferes with a child's ability to develop adequate motor skills or balance, it must be treated immediately.

The ligaments in a child with Down syndrome are also incredibly floppy.

Their joints continue to be too loose for normal mobility in later years, and their bones are not sufficiently supported. Children with legs spread apart while lying down often exhibit the early symptoms of lax ligaments.

Correct exercises and physiotherapy are crucial to treating the muscular weakness that Down syndrome children have. Incorrect management of these problems causes additional problems, such as locked knees, which appear to compensate for the weakness in the lower legs. Future generations will suffer greatly from such reactions.

These kids also have issues with their physical appearance.

They have limbs that are out of proportion to their torsos, which makes it difficult for them to sit or climb stairs. Even something as simple as reaching out for food can be difficult for children affected. These kinds of problems are addressed by physical therapy, which aids these kids in returning to some semblance of normalcy. 

What calls for the physiotherapist's help?

If an injury that is not healing correctly is the cause of the issue and is not an illness or a congenital disability, a physiotherapist should be consulted. These issues could involve broken bones, sprains, joint injuries, or surgery-related problems. A child's body is still growing and developing, unlike an adult's, so it needs to be adequately cared for to prevent the defect from impeding their development and activities. If this is ignored, it will also lower the child's motivation, making him feel inferior and preventing him from even attempting to raise his performance.

How does a pediatric physical therapist start treating a patient?

The first and most crucial step in treating children like adults is diagnosing the issue correctly. The therapy can start once the physiotherapist determines the cause of the problem. When treating children, the therapist must consider important factors like the child's physical growth and development, emotional and mental health, nutrition and eating habits, and motor skills.

A child's movements can provide information about how their organs, muscles, and bones develop. A pediatrician examines an infant's early development to determine whether the muscles are growing normally. This is crucial for the neck muscles in newborns to determine whether the head is adequately supported and whether the child can raise the head. If the growth rate is satisfactory, that is fine, but if it is not, the cause must be identified. Treatment must be initiated to quickly bring the growth rate into the normal range.

areas of pediatric physical therapy

Sometimes, therapy is also needed for children's speech and language development. The lungs and chest, orthopedic treatment for the bones, and massage of the affected areas are additional areas that require treatment. Physical therapists are needed to assist children of various age groups with multiple issues. Children receive assistance from a physiotherapist with exercises, joint manipulation, safe stretches, and posture education. Additionally, they have techniques for assisting kids and assisting them in coping with and living with conditions like down syndrome, dyspraxia, multiple sclerosis, muscle weakness, allergies, headaches, spine injuries, cystic fibrosis, cerebral palsy, and many other conditions that affect kids.

Manual physiotherapy techniques

Massage therapy is used by physiotherapists who have completed their training and are fully qualified to treat patients to soothe the affected areas, strengthen the muscles and bones, and relieve pain. In addition to massage, they use ultrasound technology to reduce discomfort, pain and swelling rather than injections, narcotics, and medications. When it's challenging for parents to find a physiotherapist in their area of residence, qualified physiotherapists can teach them how to use various techniques to help their kids.

The development of many systems in children, including the circulatory system, respiratory system, muscles, bones, and tendons, is covered by physiotherapy for kids. The child will benefit from this throughout their life, helping them grow and be healthy.