Paediatric Neurological Physiotherapy

Paediatric Neurological Physiotherapy

Paediatric neurological physiotherapy is the rehabilitation and treatment of children under the age of 18 with neurological disorders.

At Manchester Neuro Physio we have the expertise and experienced paediatric physiotherapists who can help to provide specialist physiotherapy to children who may have trouble with their physical development as a result of a neurological problem.

Our physiotherapists at Manchester Neuro Physio are dedicated in treating neurological conditions that affect the spinal cord, brain or nerves. If a baby and/or child has a damaged nervous system as a result of a neurological condition, they may experience difficulties with physical functions such as balance, muscle strength, mobility and range of movement. This is because when the nervous system is damaged, this can cause muscles to become either weak and floppy or tight with spasms. Movement is likely to be uncoordinated and a tremor may be present. As well as movement disorders, children may have difficulties with altered sensation, speech and swallowing.

Typically children have certain developmental milestones that they are expected to reach by a certain age. Developmental milestones are classed as tasks that are learnt or developed by most children e.g crawling, talking, rolling and walking. If a child has a neurological problem, it is likely to affect their development and so physiotherapy treatment can help to maximise the child's potential by promoting physical development in order to reach specific milestones.

There are a wide variety of neurological paediatric conditions that our specialist Physiotherapists are able to treat. At Manchester Neuro Physio, these include, but are not limited to:

• Head Injuries
• Spinal Cord Diseases
• Learning Difficulties
• Congenital Disorders - e.g Cerebral Palsy
• Developmental Disorders - e.g Dyspraxia and Ataxia
• Spinal Cord and Brain Cancers
• Injuries to the Peripheral Nerves

At Manchester Neuro Physio, initially one of our specialised physiotherapists will assess the development of your child, their movement, balance and strength to make an individualised treatment programme. This could include any of the following treatment techniques:

• Stretching
• Balance training
• Strengthening exercises
• Working on fine and gross motor skills
• Re-educating patterns for normal movement
• Improving quality of gait pattern and standing
• Support and Advice for you and your childs teacher's
• Milestone development

Neurological Physiotherapy is often combined hands on treatment in order to facilitate your childs development. Manchester Neuro Physio use a combination of different evidence based principles, including:

• The Bobath Concept (normal movement)
• Conductive Education
• Functional rehabilitation
• The Carr and Shepherd Concept (motor relearning)
• The Brunstrom Approach (synergistic movement)

The type of treatment approach will always depend on the individual circumstances of your child and is based specifically to what is best for each child. This will enable us to provide the best possible treatment, with it being entirely child focused.

For the best results, it is recommended that for children who have developmental or physical problems, physiotherapy treatment should begin as soon as able.

At Manchester Neuro Physio we are able provide early interventions due to having no waiting lists. We can also specifically tailor paediatric treatment depending on your child's needs. It can either be carried out at the clinic, in your own home or even in your child's school.

Working together and alongside each other, our physiotherapists and occupational therapists are able to combine treatment with providing additions and equipment where it is deemed necessary.

To book an assessment or for more information please email office@manchesterneurophysio.co.uk call 0161 883 0066 .