STADS Physiotherapy
Paediatric physiotherapy
Specialists in treating children Advice and treatment for positional preference Specialists in treating development-related problems
or call 040 – 311 1151 / 013 – 303 0361
No referral neededSeen within 48 hoursContracts with all health insurers
What does a paediatric physiotherapist do?
Paediatric physiotherapists specialise in children’s physical and motor development. That development doesn’t happen at the same pace for every child, and usually that’s no problem at all.
Problems can arise, though, if a child risks falling behind other children of the same age: difficulty with games, crafts or writing, or with practical things such as eating with a knife and fork, getting dressed and undressed, brushing teeth or tying shoelaces. An illness or injury can also get in the way of development.
Therapy should be fun
That’s not a slogan but a way of working. A child who is having fun moves more, and so makes progress faster. We use creative exercise therapy and games instead of exercises that feel like exercises.
What can we help with?
- motor development delay and fine motor skills delay
- positional preference and flattening of the head
- toe walking and bottom shuffling
- hypermobility and posture problems
- scoliosis, hip dysplasia and other orthopaedic problems
- DCD, cerebral palsy and Erb’s palsy
- asthma and hyperventilation
Where do we treat?
Usually at the practice, but sometimes at home for young children, and where needed we also come and take a look at school. That’s where your child runs into difficulties, so that’s where the solution has to work too.
You don’t need a referral
You can come straight to us. Paediatric physiotherapy is covered by the basic insurance up to the age of eighteen, for a limited number of treatments per year.
What is paediatric physiotherapy?
Paediatric physiotherapy is a specialisation within physiotherapy focused on treating children aged 0 to 18 who are behind in their motor development or have problems with movement skills.
What is the difference between physiotherapy and paediatric physiotherapy?
After the bachelor’s degree in general physiotherapy, a paediatric physiotherapist has also completed a master’s in paediatric physiotherapy. In this 3- or 4-year programme, the paediatric physiotherapist specialises further in the physical and motor development of children aged 0 to 18.
Which problems can paediatric physiotherapy help with?
You can see a paediatric physiotherapist for any problem involving the musculoskeletal system and motor development from 0 to 18 years. Think, for example, of:
- A positional preference
- A baby who cries a lot or is restless
- A child with sleep problems
- A child with delayed motor development; for example, late to start rolling or walking
- A child who moves stiffly, falls often and/or struggles with PE
- A child who has difficulty writing or with other fine motor tasks
- A child who has pain in their joints or muscles.
What is positional preference?
About 7% of all babies develop a positional preference shortly after birth. There may be a clear preference for one side, with the head (almost) never turning the other way by itself, or the head may instead be held still in the middle. A baby’s skull is not yet fully grown and can therefore change shape. With a positional preference, this can lead to flattening of the head. If the flattening is at an angle, it is called plagiocephaly; if it is straight at the back, it is called brachycephaly.
Treatment for plagiocephaly or brachycephaly
Treatment for plagiocephaly by the paediatric physiotherapist starts with mapping the skull and the flattening using a thermoplastic band. Treatment then focuses on encouraging development towards the non-preferred side and on informing and advising the parents.
Am I insured for paediatric physiotherapy?
The first 18 paediatric physiotherapy treatments are covered by the basic insurance. After that, it depends on your supplementary insurance how much extra your child is covered for. It’s important to check this in your policy. A referral from a doctor is not always necessary; you can contact us yourself.
What does paediatric physiotherapy cost?
If your child needs more treatments than you are insured for, you can still come to STADS. In that case, we charge a practice rate. Click here for more information.
Questions first?
Rather talk to someone first?
Not sure if we can help, or have a question about your treatment or reimbursement? Feel free to get in touch.
Call the practice
You’ll speak to one of us straight away. We’ll check the diary together there and then.
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