Physical Therapy - Developing Strength for Tomorrow
At Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, physical therapists work at minimizing the effect that accidents, disease or developmental disabilities have on keeping children, adolescents and young adults from reaching their full potential.
For children facing physical challenges, long-term disabilities or injuries, physical therapy can offer an opportunity for life-changing progress.
Physical therapists:
- Identify and manage movement dysfunction by improving muscle strength, endurance and physical abilities
- Restore, maintain and promote optimal wellness and fitness
- Make recommendations and offer training in the use of equipment that assists in replacing lost function or promotes achievement of independent movement
- Provide guidance to family members in safe and effective methods of caring for their child
- Provide consultation to other professionals regarding integrating therapeutic activities into the child's daily life
What Physical Therapy Offers
Physical therapy helps patients develop or recapture muscle strength and endurance needed for daily living. Therapists use positive, age-appropriate activities to focus on improving endurance, muscle strength, joint movement, muscle flexibility and other areas as needed.
Customized to Each Child's Needs
Physical therapists collaborate with occupational therapists, physicians and other specialists to maximize each child's potential with specific programs customized to each patient's unique needs.
The components of the therapy process include:
- Initial Evaluation: Depending on your condition, our therapists will evaluate your muscle strength, joint movement, reflexes, posture, gait, gross motor skills, wheelchair and adaptive equipment needs
- Customized Treatment: Therapists help children maximize their individual potential for development, strength and movement with the latest combination of therapy techniques
- Ongoing Communication: Therapists communicate with the patient, family, physicians and teachers to ensure appropriate therapeutic intervention
- Discharge from Therapy: From the day your child enters therapy, our primary goal is to progress your child to a point where he will no longer need therapy services.
