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Pediatric Physical Therapy

Pediatric physical therapy involves the use of therapeutic exercise, manual skills, functional training and other kid-friendly approaches to improve mobility and increase range of motion, strength, flexibility, balance, coordination and endurance.   

At the HSS Pediatric Rehabilitation and Young Athlete Center, physical therapy begins with a thorough examination performed by one of our licensed and highly skilled pediatric therapists. Based on the assessment, the therapist develops a personalized treatment plan of care. This is done together with the child and their family and takes into account the developmental age, ability and specific rehabilitation goals of the child.    

Our goal is to help each child reach their maximum potential, as well as to enhance independent functioning within the home, school and community. Our therapists pride themselves on maintaining specialized training and advanced certifications so they can address the rehabilitation needs unique to infants, toddlers, children and young adults.   

Who We Treat  

Our team of licensed and skilled physical therapists care for children with neurological, rheumatological and musculoskeletal conditions. We offer physical therapy to kids of all ages and conditions at our flagship location, the HSS Pediatric Rehabilitation and Young Athlete Center, located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Full pediatric physical therapy services are also offered at our HSS Westchester location.    

We provide rehabilitation to kids who’ve had surgery at HSS or elsewhere. Kids who were injured while playing a sport may benefit from seeking care from the rehabilitation experts in our Youth Athlete Center.  Your child can receive care from one of our therapists even if they have not been seen by a physician at HSS. All patients require a prescription from a doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant.   

We are experts at providing physical therapy to kids with the following conditions:  

  • Arthritis
  • Arthrogryposis
  • Amplified musculoskeletal pain syndrome
  • Congenital muscular torticollis and deformational plagiocephaly
  • Coordination and balance impairments (difficulties)
  • Developmental delays
  • Genetic conditions
  • Idiopathic toe walking  
  • Fractures 
  • Hip dysplasia and other hip conditions  
  • Hypotonia/hypertonia 
  • Hypermobility syndrome
  • Leg length discrepancy
  • Musculoskeletal and orthopedic injury, pre- and post-surgical and non-surgical
  • Neurological impairments and central nervous system lesions
  • Scoliosis
  • Skeletal dysplasia
  • Spina bifida
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Young athlete sports injury and return to play

Specialized Treatment and Services  

Our physical therapists use a variety of approaches and techniques as well as state-of-the-art equipment to help our patients achieve their goals. Consultation and communication with all members of your child’s care team, from pediatricians and physiatrists to orthopedic surgeons and neurologists, is of the utmost importance to achieve the best possible outcomes. We also offer a dedicated Equipment and Assistive Technology Clinic for kids who may benefit from the use of specialized equipment to aid in mobility, access and communication.

Approaches we commonly use include:  

  • Balance training  
  • Posture and movement analysis  
  • Dynamic bracing systems ( Theratogs™)   
  • Electrical stimulation  
  • Functional mobility training 
  • Home exercise programs and parent training  
  • Assistance with pain management and pain relief 
  • Gait training  
  • Infant/toddler focused approaches  
  • Kinesiotaping  
  • Manual therapy  
  • Motor control/motor learning and functional mobility training  
  • Neuromuscular re-education  
  • Neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT)  
  • Pain management  
  • Plyometric training  
  • Return to play testing and training  
  • Schroth method for scoliosis
  • Strengthening and neuromuscular re-education 
  • Young athlete sports rehabilitation

 

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