Paediatric Physiotherapy.
UC Physio in Upper Coomera and Pimpama, on the Gold Coast, offers paediatric physiotherapy services exclusively to children from infancy to adulthood (0-18yrs). Our therapists aim to optimise your child’s physical development and functional performance throughout the various stages of their development.Paediatric physiotherapy is a diverse area of therapy based on sound medical and scientific evidence developed specifically for babies, children and adolescents. The UC Physio team have a balanced approach which allows for a child’s growing body and aims to optimise your child’s ability to move. This is achieved by gaining the best muscle and joint function possible for their growing body.
Our therapists can treat normal aches, pains and strains in children. Our paediatric physiotherapists have expertise in developmental issues and neuromuscular disorders. We focus on quality care, but we also ensure that we educate the child and their family in the best way to enhance the child’s physical development and functional performance.
Our team’s aim is to promote musculoskeletal development, improve function and minimise impairments.
Who can benefit?
Paediatric physiotherapy can be used to treat any child from birth until 18 years of age, and factors such as the personality of your child, their age and presenting condition all play a major role in the way your session will be held.
The physiotherapist will look at the child’s musculoskeletal development, their functional capabilities, their limitations and the goals of both the child and the family. The treatment will be suited to your child’s personality, age, abilities, areas of concern, and once treatment has been set, it is important to identify any outside resources that may assist. This may include toys or different activities that will encourage the type of movement that is being strived for. From there, the type of treatment will again be dependent on the personality, diagnosis and the goals of the child and family.
UC Physio offers paediatric physio for a broad range of issues, including:
Developmental delay (delayed milestones such as rolling, sitting, crawling, walking)
Plagiocephaly, torticollis, brachial plexus injuries
Your child has an unusual walk or foot posture
Cerebral Palsy and brain injuries
Spina Bifida and other neural tube defects
Toe-walkers without reason
In-toeing, unusual walking or foot posture
Low-tone/floppier infants and children
Muscular dystrophy
Other conditions where physical function is inhibited
Juvenile arthritis
Developmental coordination disorder
Aches or pains with activity or rest
Generalised musculoskeletal issues (back pain, sports injury)
Rehabilitation post injury or surgery
Hypermobility and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
UC Physio have expert staff in both our Upper Coomera and Pimpama clinics, on the northern Gold Coast, who are happy to see you and discuss your paediatric physiotherapy options. Naomi, Grace, Emily, Claire and Luke will see the very young children and those who have more complex diagnoses. These might include paediatric developmental issues and neuromuscular disorders. They require initial assessments of 1 hour due to the often complex nature of these clients. Bookings with Naomi, Claire and Luke must be made by calling the clinic where our administration staff will ask you more questions. There are a few different funding models (eg NDIS) that may be relevant see our FAQ page. If you are unsure we suggest that you call the office and speak to our reception staff on 55 618 111. When children have more musculoskeletal issues, like a rolled ankle and growing pains Jordan, Jess, Ethan and Stuart will often be the recommended therapists. These clients need our normal 30 min consultations. These can be booked online as general musculoskeletal, and can be booked with Stuart (Upper Coomera), Jordan (Upper Coomera), Jess (Upper Coomera/Pimpama), Josh (Upper Coomera) or Ethan (Pimpama).
Case Study
Miss G is a 5 year old whose parents noticed she wanted to be carried soon after being active and complained of having a sore right knee. Her parents took Miss G to the GP who thought that it was sprained, and that Miss G must have fallen on it and that this was it was sore and swollen. The GP recommended rest. After 6 weeks of continual swelling in her right knee her left ankle was now getting swollen. She was referred to a paediatric rheumatologist who diagnosed her with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JIA). She received some intra-articular steroid injections and was referred to physiotherapy. The physiotherapist assessment found weakness of the lower limbs, reduced ankle joint range of motion, poor balance and reduced participation in normal activities.
The physiotherapist prescribed a home exercise program including stretches. The program was specifically designed to maintain range of movement, function and promote normal childhood development. The family was advised to treat the symptoms and pain and to follow principles of joint protection, and given some practical advice for managing JIA at school.
After a few weeks Miss G refused to do the land based exercises so the physiotherapist provided a block of aquatic physiotherapy. These aquatic physiotherapy sessions were so fun that Miss G wanted to do them every day. After this block of physiotherapy Miss G and her family are able to better manage her arthritis.