When most people think of physio, they picture a rolled ankle or a knee injury. That’s part of it. But physiotherapy at Canobolas Kids Health in Orange and across the Central West also helps babies learning to roll, toddlers who seem a bit wobbly, and kids who find running, jumping and sitting in class for long periods harder than their friends do.
A physio who works with kids looks at how your child moves, then uses play and simple home strategies to build strength, balance and confidence.
Physio for babies
Physio can help with flat spots on the head (plagiocephaly), neck tightness that makes bub always turn one way (torticollis), tummy time that ends in tears, and early milestones like rolling, sitting, crawling and walking.
Every baby develops at their own pace. Physio isn’t about racing to the next milestone, it’s about giving your little one support to get there.
Physio for toddlers and school-aged kids
Once kids are on the move, physio can help with toe walking, frequent tripping, tiring quickly, or finding skills like hopping, catching and riding a bike tricky. A bit of targeted help can make a real difference to how confident they feel at the playground and in PE.
Yes, sport and injuries too
For kids and teens, that includes sprains, heel or knee pain during growth spurts, rehab after a fracture or surgery, and getting back to sport safely after an injury. Growing bodies need a different approach from adult ones.
Supporting children with a disability
Physio can also be part of ongoing support for children with cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and other developmental differences, with goals set together with the family.
When it’s worth seeking help
It may be worth booking in if your child:
- has a flat spot or always turns their head one way
- isn’t reaching movement milestones around the ages you’d expect
- trips, falls or tires much more than their friends
- limps, or has pain that keeps coming back
You don’t need a diagnosis to come in. If you have a question, that’s reason enough to ask.
