Services & Specialties

Physical Therapy

Pediatric physical therapists work with children, from infancy through adolescence, to enhance a child’s development by assisting each child to reach their maximum potential. Physical therapists work closely with the family of the child to promote development and implement an individualized care plan.

Physical therapists collaborate with other health care professionals to optimize a child’s care and to determine the best plan of care. Pediatric physical therapist treatment consists of an examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, and intervention of children who have functional limitations or disability due to trauma, a disorder or disease process.

Although physical therapist treat a wide range of medical diagnosis, some common diagnosis that pediatric physical therapist work with are:
  • cerebral palsy
  • genetic syndromes
  • developmental delays
  • heart defects
  • hypotonia (low muscle tone)
  • hypertonia (high muscle tone)
  • hydrocephalus
  • spina bifida
  • brain injuries, including concussions
  • torticollis
  • plagiocephaly
  • premature and high-risk infants
Children that are not developing their gross motor milestones such as rolling, sitting, crawling, and standing at the expected age levels, can benefit from structured physical therapy. Physical therapy intervention promotes strength, coordination, endurance, movement and balance skills. Therapy will also encourage independence, facilitate motor development and function, enhance learning opportunities, and ease challenges with daily caregiving. Therapy can include: suggestions for positioning during daily routines and play activities; adapting toys for play; assisting with mobility options; facilitating safety for the home and school environments.

Physical Therapy for Torticollis and Plagiocephaly

The most important thing to know about torticollis and plagiocephaly, from a physcial therapist’s perspective, is that the stretches and positions for play, need to be incorporated throughout the day.

Placing your infant on their belly every time you put them down (while awake), even for diaper changes, is important because it allows the infant to practice lifting their head and self-stretch, while increasing their neck strength.

Avoid using any type of “equipment” (bouncy chairs, swings, exersaucers). The best place for a baby to get stronger and learn to move, is on the floor. Place them on their sides and their belly.

Change the infant’s sleep position in the crib so they have to turn towards the side that is difficult for them. When on the floor, place all toys so they have to turn towards them in the direction that is challenging.

Carry your infant facing out and away from your body or in a “football” hold. (see pictures)

Schedule an Appointment Today

Caring for your child's well-being is our number one priority. 
Schedule an appointment with a world-class pediatric neurology and neurosurgery team at NJPNI now.
Schedule an Appointment Today

NOTICE: This website is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice or as a substitute for a patient/physician relationship.

NJPNI is committed to creating a culturally diverse, inclusive and collaborative community for patients and their families, employees and associates where each person is celebrated and has a sense of equal belonging. See our DEI Statement Page for more information.

NJPNI does not exclude, deny benefits to, or otherwise discriminate against any person on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, or on the basis of disability or age in admission to, participation in, or receipt of the services and benefits of any of its programs and activities or in employment therein. This statement is in accordance with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Regulations of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued pursuant to the Acts, Title 45 Code of Federal Regulations part 80, 84, and 91.

linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram