PEDIATRIC PHYSIOTHERAPY

Pediatric physiotherapy is the delivery of physiotherapy services to children and youth, from birth to 25 years of age. Our pediatric physiotherapy services include a comprehensive assessment of a child’s gross motor function and posture, including strength, posture, gait, flexibility, balance, coordination and sensory processing. Subsequent treatment can include manual therapy, hands-on facilitation, education, referrals to other specialists, and/or prescription of a home exercise program.

Every child’s goals and needs are uniquely different. At Propel, we work closely with family members, caregivers, teachers, doctors and other health care professionals on your child’s integrated healthcare team to develop goals based on the child’s function and the family’s needs with a focus on optimizing participation in daily activities.

Infants, toddlers and young children who require physiotherapy intervention may not fully grasp the purpose or function of therapy services; as such our pediatric physiotherapy sessions incorporate functional play and exciting motivators while creating a fun atmosphere to help accomplish therapy goals.

For youth and adolescents who have suffered an injury, we help them to understand their injury in a way that is easy for them to understand and help them to feel valued throughout their rehabilitation process.

Learn more about our approach and the pediatric physiotherapist’s role in your child’s rehabilitation.

Our pediatric physiotherapists have experience treating injuries as well as congenital and acquired conditions, some unique to children and adolescents, including:

• Cerebral palsy
• Down syndrome
• Developmental delay
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Postural issues: torticollis, scoliosis, metatarsus adductus
• Idiopathic toe walking
• Spina bifida and neural tube defects
• Muscular dystrophy
• Brachial plexus
• Lesions
• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)
• Osteogenesis imperfecta
• Respiratory conditions such as cystic fibrosis or asthma
• Sports and recreation injuries
• Tendinitis/tendinosis
• Muscle and ligament injuries/tears
• Joint stiffness and pain
• Post-fracture treatment
• Congenital muscular torticollis

Depending on the nature of your injury the assessment could range from 45 minutes to 1.5 hours in length.  This will be discussed prior to your assessment.  The number and length of follow-up visit can also vary and will be discussed once your initial assessment is completed.

At the first appointment your physiotherapist will take a full history and perform various tests and assessments to determine the clinical diagnosis of your child’s injury. 

If treatment is required it will also be provided during the first visit.  Once the assessment is completed you and your child’s physiotherapist will create a program that is tailored to their specific needs and goals.  This will be discussed in detail with you during your child’s initial visit.

Your child’s physiotherapy visits may be covered under an employment plan that you or a spouse has.  You will be encouraged to check the details of that plan and submit your receipts for reimbursement.

OHIP (government-funded) coverage for physiotherapy services is only available at OHIP-licensed facilities for Ontario residents under the age of 18 or over 65. Propel Physiotherapy is not an OHIP-licensed facility.

We provide treatment for all Motor Vehicle Accident and WSIB cases.

Yes, our therapists regularly see clients in the home and at locations in the community like public pools or parks.  Please note there is a travel fee.

Yes, physiotherapy treatment can be done virtually.  Our therapists use a secure and private platform to help deliver our virtual services.

Our physiotherapists use a hands-on approach to treating neurological and orthopedic conditions. Our approach to treatment programs is active movement and play based therapy to improve function and mobility. We also use a number of other modalities (shockwave therapy, ultrasound, acupuncture, functional electrical stimulation) as well as treatment techniques such as taping, soft tissue release and exercise to optimize functional recovery.