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Tag: Neurological disorders

Understanding Manual Therapy for Kids: A Path to Flexibility and Pain Relief

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How Manual Therapy Helps Children Overcome Pain and Improve Movement

Manual therapy is a hands-on treatment approach that involves manipulating muscles, joints, and soft tissues to improve flexibility, reduce pain, and restore normal movement patterns. For children, this type of therapy can be a game-changer, especially when dealing with musculoskeletal issues, postural imbalances, neurological conditions, or chronic pain. It is a safe and effective treatment option designed to promote healthy movement and development.

What is Manual Therapy?

Manual therapy includes various techniques that a trained therapist uses to treat the muscles and joints. The goal is to help children achieve better mobility, ease discomfort, and improve posture. These techniques are non-invasive and often feel soothing, though the results can be remarkable in terms of long-term flexibility and pain relief.

Some of the common techniques used in manual therapy for kids include:

  1. Massage: A gentle way to relax tight muscles and improve blood circulation. Massage can help reduce muscle tension and alleviate pain caused by overuse or injury.
  2. Joint Mobilizations: These are gentle, controlled movements aimed at increasing the range of motion in joints that may be stiff or restricted. It can help improve posture and flexibility.
  3. Myofascial Release: This technique focuses on relieving tension in the connective tissue (fascia) that surrounds muscles. It’s often used to treat areas of chronic pain and tightness in the muscles and joints.
  4. Soft Tissue Manipulation: This approach targets the soft tissues, such as muscles and tendons, to help relax them, reduce pain, and improve movement efficiency.

How Does Manual Therapy Help Kids?

Children’s bodies are constantly growing, and sometimes they experience tight muscles, poor posture, or limited flexibility, which can affect their mobility and overall comfort. Manual therapy is particularly beneficial for:

  • Musculoskeletal Issues: For children experiencing muscle or joint stiffness, manual therapy can help increase range of motion and reduce discomfort, making it easier for them to move freely and comfortably.
  • Postural Imbalances: Kids who sit for long periods, slouch, or have uneven muscle strength can develop poor posture. Manual therapy can address these imbalances, promoting better alignment and reducing pain.
  • Neurological Conditions: Certain neurological conditions, such as cerebral palsy or developmental coordination disorders, can affect a child’s muscle function. Manual therapy can help these children move more easily by improving their muscle activation and joint mobility.
  • Chronic Pain: Some children experience long-term pain from conditions like juvenile arthritis or injury. Manual therapy techniques help alleviate pain and support a return to daily activities.

Benefits of Manual Therapy for Kids

  • Increased Flexibility: Regular manual therapy treatments can help increase flexibility, making it easier for children to engage in physical activities and reduce the risk of injury.
  • Pain Reduction: By alleviating muscle tension and improving joint mobility, manual therapy helps reduce chronic pain, making it easier for kids to participate in school, sports, and play without discomfort.
  • Improved Movement Patterns: Manual therapy helps restore normal movement patterns, promoting more efficient and less painful movement in daily activities. This is especially helpful for kids with developmental delays or coordination issues.
  • Better Posture: Manual therapy can improve posture by addressing muscle imbalances and promoting proper alignment, which is crucial for overall physical health and confidence.

How Carolina Therapy Connection Can Help

At Carolina Therapy Connection, we specialize in providing pediatric manual therapy services to children who experience musculoskeletal issues, chronic pain, and postural imbalances. Our experienced therapists work closely with each child to develop a customized plan to improve flexibility, reduce pain, and restore normal movement patterns. If you’re interested in learning more about Manual Therapy and how we incorporate this approach into therapy, including intensives, please feel free to reach out to us to schedule an evaluation. You can also use this link to explore more about our pediatric intensive therapy services.

 

Exciting News: Pediatric Physical Therapy Now Offered at Our Goldsboro Clinic!

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Pediatric Physical Therapy Now Available at Our Goldsboro Clinic

Carolina Therapy Connection is excited to bring Pediatric Physical Therapy to our Goldsboro clinic! This new addition allows families in the area to access specialized care designed to support the development of age-appropriate gross motor skills and recovery from injuries. Our dedicated physical therapist works with children of all ages, offering personalized care to help them reach their fullest potential. Pediatric Physical Therapy is essential for addressing physical challenges that can impact a child’s ability to move, play, and participate in everyday activities. From infants with developmental delays to older children with sports injuries, our services cater to a variety of needs, including torticollis, movement disorders, orthopedic conditions, genetic or neurological disorders, muscle imbalances, and poor coordination or motor planning.

How Can Physical Therapy Work with Infants and Younger Children?

For younger children, including infants and toddlers, physical therapy focuses on developmental milestones and early intervention. If your baby is not sitting, crawling, or walking on time or has been diagnosed with torticollis, physical therapy can provide targeted exercises to encourage proper muscle development and movement patterns. Additionally, we help children with developmental delays by enhancing their strength, balance, and coordination, ensuring they can actively explore their environment. Early intervention is critical in promoting physical and cognitive development during these formative years.

How Does Physical Therapy Benefit Older Children?

For older children, physical therapy supports recovery from sports-related injuries, orthopedic conditions, and other physical challenges. Our therapist works with young athletes to safely return them to play, stronger and more resilient than before. Therapy also addresses poor coordination and motor planning, helping children improve their ability to perform daily tasks and engage in activities they love. Children with genetic, brain, spine, or nerve disorders benefit from customized plans that focus on their unique needs, promoting functional mobility and independence. Whether it’s addressing muscle imbalances, recovering from an injury, or improving overall movement, we provide compassionate care to help older children thrive.

How Can Carolina Therapy Connection Help?

At Carolina Therapy Connection, we’re committed to helping every child succeed. Our Pediatric Physical Therapist is now seeing patients at our Goldsboro clinic and has immediate openings available. With no long waitlists, families can access care quickly and begin their child’s journey toward improved strength, mobility, and confidence. Contact us today to learn more or schedule an appointment—we’re here to help your child every step of the way!

Meet Anna, our Pediatric Physical Therapist in Goldsboro!

Anna is a licensed physical therapist who has experience working with kids of all ages. She believes in using play during therapy to help keep children engaged while working to meet their functional goals. Anna received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from East Carolina University in the spring of 2024 and obtained her license shortly afterward. 

She offers a child-led approach to therapy, where she allows clients to play freely while simultaneously making the activities therapeutic to promote participation, build confidence, and address their deficits in order to make progress toward their therapy goals. She offers in-person sessions and is committed to helping clients and equipping their parents with the tools they need, so their child can advance their skills both in the home and during therapy sessions. 

For more information or to make an appointment, visit our website or call our office. We look forward to helping your child meet their gross motor milestones and improve their ability to interact with the world around them!