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Physical Therapy (Pediatrics)

Pediatrics

When physical movement or muscle development is a setback for your child, we're here to help. We partner with your infant, child or teen to improve movement and confidence and overall help them be their best selves.

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This page is for our littlest patients.
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Making everyday activities easier for kids

No child should be sidelined with an injury or left out of an activity because of a condition or disability. Your child’s doctor may recommend physical therapy after a sports injury or a fall. We also work closely with children who have chronic illnesses, developmental delays or struggle with motor skills. From birth to 21 years of age, we work to manage illnesses, reduce pain, improve mobility and reduce the need for surgery. We use kid-friendly, age-appropriate exercises and other physical treatments to help them gain, maintain and recover movement and return to daily activities.

Physical therapist working with pediatric patient during clinic appointment and assisting child to lift arm and leg during a plank.
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Conditions

When you think of physical therapy, you probably think we treat injuries from sports or some other traumatic accident. We help those kids, but we also support kids who struggle with gross motor skills or who have received a diagnosis, such as:

Cerebral palsy
Chronic pain
Torticollis
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Testing

No one knows your child like you do. That’s why we make you a part of the evaluation process. Our first step is to pinpoint your child's unique needs using a variety of tools, including standardized assessments and clinical evaluations. 

Combined occupational + physical therapy evaluation

If your child has multiple areas to work on, we may recommend teaming up with pediatric occupational therapy to provide additional support. While physical therapy works on gross motor skills and physical development, occupational therapy helps with daily tasks and life skills. We will work together on a comprehensive evaluation so that you and your child's doctor have a complete picture and plan.

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Treatments

Once we develop your child's unique plan, we help them get comfortable. Kids make the best progress when they're having fun, so we engage them in their therapy through play. Activities might include:

  • Working on balance, core strength and coordination
  • Rolling over a therapy ball to work on shoulder strength 
  • Crawling through a tunnel to work on reciprocal patterns and hip strength 
  • Having scooter board races in the hallway to work on strengthening
  • Throwing, catching and aiming with a ball
  • Creating an obstacle course to help with a combination of strengthening tasks

Physical therapy may last several weeks to over a year depending on your child's health, needs and progress.

Anasuya Gunturi MD, PhD talks with patient at Lowell General Hospital's Women's Wellness Center clinic appointment.
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From regular office visits to inpatient stays, find the healthcare you need and deserve close to home.

Family physician Sarwada Tuladhar Jha, MD talking to patient during exam at a clinic appointment and inputting health information at the computer.
Our doctors + care team

Meet the doctors and care team devoted to supporting you every step of the way along your path to better health.

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