Physical therapists help people with conditions, illnesses, or injuries that develop in childhood and limit movement or function. They continue to work with them across their life span as needed.

Physical therapist services aim to:

• • Improve mobility.
  • Develop or restore function.
  • Alleviate pain.
  • Prevent or decrease permanent physical disabilities.
  • Promote overall health and wellness.

Developing regular physical activity habits in children and adolescents is essential for growth and development. If continued into adulthood, physical activity can reduce the risk of developing many chronic diseases and also improves them. According to a news release from The Physical Activity Alliance, "physical activity for children and adolescents is more important than ever." 

Why See a Physical Therapist?

Physical therapists help children of all abilities participate and reach their unique potential. Pediatric physical therapists work together with children and their families to:

• • Promote a child's development.
  • Improve strength and endurance.
  • Enhance learning opportunities.
  • Enable independence.
  • Increase the ability to take part in physical activities at home, school, and in the community.
  • Reduce and manage pain.
  • Ease challenges with daily caregiving.

Physical therapists are movement experts. They improve quality of life through hands-on care, patient education, and prescribed movement. You can contact a physical therapist directly for an evaluation. To find a physical therapist in your area, visit Find a PT.

Find a PT Near You

Symptoms & Conditions

Physical therapists treat and manage numerous conditions affecting children (birth-21), including:

• Atypical Pediatric Walking Patterns (Gait Deviations)
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Cerebral Palsy
• Childhood Leukemia
• Concussion
• Congenital Heart Defects
• Container Baby Syndrome
• Developmental Coordination Disorder
• Developmental Delay
• Diabetes
• Discoid Meniscus
• Down Syndrome
• Female Athlete Triad
• Flat Feet in Children
• Flat Head Syndrome: Plagiocephaly, Brachycephaly, and Dolichocephaly
• Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders
• Hypotonia (Low Muscle Tone)
• Infant Brachial Plexus Injury
• Infant Prematurity
• Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
• Little League Shoulder
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Osgood-Schlatter Disease
• Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
• Pediatric Spinal Cord Injury 
• Perthes Disease
• Prader-Willi Syndrome
• Scoliosis
• Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis
• Spina Bifida
• Spinal Muscular Atrophy
• Toe Walking
• Torticollis

Explore other symptoms and conditions.