PAEDIATRIC PHYSIOTERAPHY IN CAYMAN

Our paediatric physiotherapists treat children from newborn babies to 18-year-old. Throughout this age range, children’s brains are developing, and their skeleton is changing and growing which means the reasons they require physiotherapy intervention are very different from adults. A paediatric physiotherapist understands that children are not little adults and therefore use their specialist knowledge to provide each child with individually tailored and effective treatments.

Paediatric physiotherapy is FUN – children are motivated and engaged by age-specific play. A paediatric physiotherapist will guide your child through development, growth, and recovery by incorporating physiotherapy and activity into everyday life.

Why might my child need paediatric physiotherapy?

Ages 0-5

  • Developmental motor assessments

  • Congenital (from birth) conditions

  • Neurological conditions

  • Guidance and education on normal orthopedic (bone) development e.g. in-toeing gait

  • Rehab post-hospital admissions or periods of reduced activity

Ages 6-10

  • Ongoing input if your child has a chronic (long-term) condition

  • Growth-related pain e.g. apophysitis (inflammation of an open growth plate, usually at the ankle at this age)

  • Orthopedic abnormalities e.g. in-toeing gait, valgus knees (knees together)

  • Sports-related injuries

  • Rehab post surgeries or hospital admissions, including guidance on returning to sports/ activities

Ages 11-18

  • Growth-related pains e.g apophysitis – likely in the knee.

  • Orthopedic abnormalities – often more related to hip and knee

  • Sports-related injuries – high risk

  • Postural assessments – shoulder and back pain

  • Scoliosis assessments

  • Musculoskeletal pains – often knee pain in adolescent girls

  • Any ongoing chronic conditions

  • Rehab post surgeries or hospital admissions

Your child is likely to go through significant growth spurts in short periods of time and may have increased sedentary periods in poor postural positions. This means your child can have lots of growth-related pains and muscular imbalances which puts them at higher risk of sporting injuries.

This period can be a very complex and confusing time for adolescents, adding pain into the mix can cause:

  • Reduced participation in activities

  • Reduced socialization

  • Poor sleep patterns

  • Poor concentration

  • Poor posture

  • Increased anxiety

  • Reduced mood

  • Ongoing musculoskeletal issues into adulthood

Paediatric physiotherapy can be of significant benefit in treating and preventing these issues. Children aged 5-18 should be active for 60 minutes a day for them to develop and maintain healthy bodily systems. Childhood obesity is a national issue within the Cayman Islands. If your child is overweight their risk of serious health conditions is significantly increased. Keeping your children active is an important part of managing their weight. If pain is preventing your child from partaking in the activity, then speak to your paediatrician and book in for a paediatric physiotherapy assessment.