| There are many reasons as to why children may | | | | therapy. An example is a safety belt that prevents the |
| need physical therapy. It could be because they have | | | | child from falling down or stumbling when they are |
| cerebral palsy and they need physical therapy to help | | | | learning how to walk. Crutches may also be used and |
| them move their bodies easier or perhaps they broke | | | | the child and parents will be instructed on how to use |
| a leg, or they may have weak muscles somewhere in | | | | them when the child encounters such obstacles as |
| their body. Even those with brain injuries may need to | | | | stairs. Children may also be required to wear a safety |
| see a physical therapist since the brain has a lot to do | | | | belt while learning how to walk on crutches so they do |
| with the functioning of muscles and knowing how to | | | | not injure themselves further. |
| do things such as sit, walk, and roll. | | | | Other types of equipment include:o Walkers made just |
| There are a number of different conditions and injuries | | | | for children that help them learn to walk.o Toys such |
| that require physical therapy in children. There is even | | | | as balls, swings, benches, and slides. Toys are an |
| one such condition called Jumper's knee that becomes | | | | important tool because it encourages the child to work |
| a problem for a lot of children and adolescents. If the | | | | their muscles through fun.o Ultrasound devices that are |
| child complains of tenderness and pain around the | | | | used in controlling pain and inflammation.o Therapy balls |
| bottom of the kneecap, then this might be the problem. | | | | are kind of like exercise balls, but they are made in |
| Kids who are involved in sports tend to have this | | | | smaller sizes for childreno Therapy rolls are like long |
| problem during growth spurts. A physical therapist may | | | | noodle type objects that the child can lean on, roll on, |
| use heat and ice as well as ultrasound to gain control | | | | and simply have fun with.o Steps, incline mats, and |
| over the pain and any inflammation. The physical | | | | hurdles can create a great physical environment for a |
| therapist also works on strengthening the knee and | | | | child because these objects encourage them to climb |
| creating a balance through exercises such as posture | | | | and jump. |
| exercises. | | | | Many of the different types of physical therapy |
| However, children are always severely spraining | | | | equipment that is used promotes physical activity in |
| ankles, breaking legs, arms, hands, and feet. They may | | | | some way. Then there are others types of equipment |
| pull something somewhere or tear a muscle during | | | | that is used in reducing pain and inflammation and helps |
| physical activity. All of these incidents call for some | | | | restore a balance within the injured area. There seems |
| kind of physical therapy whether short-term or | | | | to be a little something for every situation for every |
| long-term. Physical therapy is important in children who | | | | single age, whether it be devices to help a child walk or |
| have injured a part of their body because an injury | | | | to rehabilitate a muscle that has been torn. With sports |
| can actually stunt growth, so it is important to make | | | | becoming so intense nowadays, sports injuries are |
| sure proper growth is inhibited by creating proper | | | | very prevalent and a physical therapist is required for |
| alignments and balances within the body. | | | | the healing process. Then again, children are born with |
| Equipment | | | | conditions that physical therapy equipment can provide |
| There are different types of equipment that may be | | | | relief for. That is why it is important that the proper |
| used with children who are going through physical | | | | equipment be available to help these children. |