7 benefits of pediatric physical therapy via telehealth

If you’re a parent or guardian of a child, then there are many important decisions you have to make to keep them happy and healthy. One of those decisions may be choosing a health care option that helps them continue to grow, such as pediatric physical therapy.

Physical therapy can benefit all ages, including children and adolescents. If your child has been injured or they’re experiencing symptoms from a medical condition, it’s time to explore the option of pediatric physical therapy. But what are the advantages to pediatric physical therapy through telehealth? That’s what we’re here to explore.

We’ll talk about pediatric physical therapy before diving into the benefits of pediatric physical therapy with telehealth.

What is pediatric physical therapy?

Let’s start out by defining what pediatric physical therapy is. Pediatric physical therapy refers to a type of health care that focuses on improving a child/teen’s movement and mobility using functional training and therapeutic exercises. As with all pediatric health care, this specialized physical therapy is for ages 18 and under.

Pediatric physical therapy is used as a way to help children and adolescents boost their body’s overall function. It can help those that have been impacted by a variety of factors, including:

• Muscle or bone issues.
• Sports-related injuries.
• Genetic or brain disorders.
• Spine or nerve disorders.

Pediatric physical therapy works to improve a child or teen’s:

• Strength.
• Flexibility.
• Range of motion.
• Coordination.
• Endurance.
• Balance.

7 benefits of using telehealth for pediatric physical therapy 

After being so used to in-person health care for a large portion of their lives, it can be difficult for parents to see how telehealth for their children is a viable option. But receiving pediatric physical therapy through chats and videoconferencing can bring accessible treatment with a variety of benefits, including:

• Familiar surroundings — One of the things that people note about health care facilities is that they tend to not feel “homey.” It can lead to patients feeling uncomfortable and closed off. By being comfortable in their own home, instead of being surrounded by strangers in an unfamiliar environment, patients are more likely to engage in the appointment.
  
• Hands-on caregiving — Telehealth for pediatric physical therapy allows parents and guardians to be hands-on during the sessions. By learning the exercises along with your child, you can learn how to help them progress through their recovery between sessions. You can also have an active role throughout the treatment.

• Observation in a regular environment — It’s helpful for physical therapists to see the environment that a young patient is surrounded with on a daily basis. It can help them see the space that the patient has to move around in during treatment and potential obstacles that may affect their progress. For instance, they can teach exercises that will specifically help patients go up and down stairs in their home.

• Creativity — Not only does telehealth allow your child to be comfortable during their sessions, it also gives the physical therapist the freedom to be creative. Creativity is essential with young children. The therapist can incorporate toys or stuffed animals into the appointments and keep the sessions from being boring or repetitive.

• Flexible scheduling — Trying to squeeze out time during the day for a pediatric physical therapy appointment can seem impossible. With telehealth, your child can get the treatment they need from your home, which you can schedule during a break at work or between household chores. Instead of you working around the clinic’s schedule, they work around yours.

• No commute required — Going hand-in-hand with the flexible scheduling, the lack of commute is one of the major advantages of telehealth with pediatric physical therapy. Without having to factor in the extra amount of time and money it takes to commute to and from a physical therapy clinic, the convenience and accessibility of telehealth for pediatric physical therapy can help many families.

• Reduced risk of compromised immunity — It takes several months after birth for a baby to have a fully developed immune system. If there’s an issue that impacts their immune system, such as allergies or a disorder, you may not want to take your child into a physical therapy clinic. By taking advantage of  telehealth PT, you can keep your child safe at home.

Agile Virtual PT can help you see the many benefits of telehealth for pediatric physical therapy

Pediatric physical therapy can be life changing for many children, and it can play a large role in their growth and development, especially if they’re struggling with an injury or the symptoms of a medical condition. Exploring the option of telehealth for pediatric physical therapy can provide you and your child with many benefits that contribute to their overall progress.

Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.