Conditions telehealth pediatric physical therapy can help address

You’ve found yourself in need of pediatric physical therapy, and, surely that has to be a telehealth option, right? Well, you may be correct. Telehealth for pediatric physical therapy can help in certain cases. According to the American Physical Therapy Association, physical therapists are experts in movement who can help improve someone’s quality of life through hands-on care. A pediatric physical therapist focuses on helping improve babies’ and children’s quality of life. 

How a pediatric physical therapist can help

If you think your child needs to see a pediatric physical therapist, consult with your pediatrician. Physical therapy can help resolve many issues in children. Some of the most common conditions include: 

• Recovering from sports-related and non-sports-related injuries.
• Not hitting appropriate age milestones, such as a child who should be walking.
• Genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome.
• Muscle weakness or imbalances.
• Nerve or muscle conditions, such as cerebral palsy.

A pediatric physical therapist will work with the child and his or her parents to develop a therapy treatment plan. Depending on the severity of the diagnosis, some exercises may be done at home under adult supervision. 

Telehealth for pediatric physical therapy 

Whether your child qualifies for telehealth physical therapy services depends on the type of injury or condition your child has and the recommended treatment plan. Here are some tips to help you with pediatric physical therapy telehealth appointments: 

• Be flexible — When it’s time for your appointment with your child, try to remain as flexible as possible. A telehealth appointment for physical therapy can sometimes be a learning experience for everyone involved. 

• Understand your specialist is trying to help — As with most physical therapy sessions, there will be challenges. When these challenges arise, try to remember that your specialist is on your side. 

• Get creative — Telehealth appointments sometimes require some creativity. So, put your thinking cap on and help your specialist come up with ideas to achieve the best outcome for your child. 

• Be prepared — Prior to your appointment, ask your specialist for a list of items needed and exercises to do so that you can help prepare your child. 

• Find the right space — This is key to telehealth appointments. Make sure that you have plenty of open space. 

• Ask for a summary — When the appointment is over, ask your specialist to send you a summary of the appointment. Don’t forget to ask if there are exercises you should help your child with until the next appointment. 

If you’re looking for a telehealth pediatric physical therapy appointment, Agile Virtual Physical Therapy is here to help. Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.