PHYSICAL THERAPY SERVICES

ORTHOPEDIC INJURIES AND SPORTS MEDICINE

There are approximately 60 million kids, aged 6-18, who participate in organized sports. Of those 60 million, approximately 50% will sustain some form of sports injury. If your child is feeling pain or experienced an injury from a sport, Seattle Pediatric Physical Therapy can help provide rehab for a speedy recovery – we are experts in orthopedic care for growing kids.

Common Injuries

Sprains or muscle tears
Strains or ligamentous tears
Fractures or tears
Growth plate injuries
Neck and back pain
Post-concussion syndromes
Sever's Disease
Osgood-Schlatter disease
Shin splints
Little league shoulder

SCOLIOSIS

Scoliosis as a curvature of the spine to the side that includes rotation. It causes changes to posture and the alignment of the back. A person cannot correct scoliosis by “standing up straight.” On an X-ray, the spine may appear to have an "s" or "c" shape. The Cobb angle, a measurement of the spine’s curves, determines if scoliosis is present, and its severity. A person has scoliosis when they have greater than a 10 degree to 15 degree Cobb angle.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. AIS is the most common type of scoliosis in children ages 10-18. Around 30% of children with AIS have a family history of the condition.

Physical therapy can help address spinal asymmetries and the functional asymmetry that can result. Functional asymmetries include breathing issues, gait pattern dysfunction and posture issues.

Signs Of Scoliosis. Normal healthy spine and curved spine with scoliosis.Scoliosis in chil

POSTURE + BREATHING DYSFUNCTION

Full body little girl with back pain due to work stress, tired and astute.jpg

We provide posture assessments and re-education programs for optimal function, breathing, walking and running. We take a holistic view of muscle balance and biomechanics as well as the child's age to address the whole body.

We utilize techniques founded from the science of the Postural Restoration Institute (PRI) techniques. Common issues addressed:

Chronic spinal pain (low back, neck, shoulder tension)
Sleep Disturbances, Mouth Breathing, snoring
Ergonomic issues with school work
Pelvic floor dysfunction (constipation)

If airway/breathing dysfunction are a strong influence on your child's posture, we will coordinate care with your child's interdisciplinary care team.

TORTICOLLIS

Torticollis is the clinical term for a rotated and sidebent positioning of the head due to the decreased range of motion and integrity of a critical neck muscle called the Sternocleidomastoid. This muscle is responsible for head rotation and head tilt.

Torticollis can occur following the birth process or become evident as a baby develops some head control (Congenital Torticollis). It can also emerge at any age following an injury or develop when extreme strain is placed on the neck musculature (Acquired Torticollis).

Torticollis compromises both gross and fine motor development of a child. Visual tracking, upright head position, and upper extremity movements necessary for feeding and play may also be impacted.

Flattening of the baby’s head and facial features may develop if untreated.

If your baby is turning their head to one side preferentially and frequently or you notice a significant head tilt, an evaluation for torticollis is a good idea.

MOTOR DEVELOPMENT

By a certain ages, most children are able to sit up, stand, walk, run, and coordinate movements, balance, use playground equipment, and participate in sports activities.
If you’ve noticed your child hasn’t yet met these milestones for their age or if you have concerns about how they are starting to move, please reach out to see if we can help.