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Monday 10am - 6pm Tuesday 10am - 6pm Wednesday 10am - 6pm Thursday 10am - 6pm Friday 10am - 6pm Saturday 9am - 5pm Sunday 9am - 5pm

Alex's Place - Paediatric Physiotherapy Service - Vojta,NDT Bobath,SI,CST

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Alex's Place - Paediatric Physiotherapy Service - Vojta,NDT Bobath,SI,CST

Physiotherapy Service for babies, toddlers and children Hello everyone

My name is Aleksandra Szlapa. Since that time, I have worked extensively in paediatrics.

In 2006, I graduated with a Master of Science in Physiotherapy from the Medical University of Silesia, Poland. My area of practice includes neurodevelopment, neurological, orthopaedic, and musculoskeletal physiotherapy. I have experience working with all age groups from early intervention programs to preschool and school-age programs. I have completed various post-graduate courses, including:
• NDT – Bobath
• Vojta
• PIMT
• NISE-Stim Level 1
• NISE-Stim for the Trunk
• DMI Level A, Level B, Level C
• M.A.E.S.
• Sensory Integration
• CST
• PNF Basic, Advanced and PNF in Paediatrics
• myofascial techniques
• Scar Work
• Bone Work
• Cranial Work
• Kinesio Taping
• Manual Therapy
• Three Dimension Manual Therapy of Children's Fault Feet,
• Foundation and Advanced Paediatric Gait Analysis and Orthotic Management by Elaine Owen
• Practical application of the suit ‘SpiderSuit ‘course
and many other courses and workshops. I continue to enhance my knowledge and develop my skills in paediatric physiotherapy. In my practice, I use a combination of many methods and always adjust to the individual needs of the child. Of course, besides the highest level of treatment, I always prioritize the comfort and well-being of the child. I'm Health Professions Council (HCPC PH114028) registered, a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP 103292) and have undertaken a full DBS (formerly CRB) check. I'm also a member of the Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists (APCP-10000522) and British Association of Bobath Trained Therapists (BABTT).

08/03/2026

Obstacle course time 💪✨

Balance, coordination, and body awareness all in one playful challenge.
Stepping on unstable surfaces, weight shifting, controlled single-leg stance and reaching tasks — every element supports postural control, motor planning, and confidence in movement.
Therapy doesn’t have to feel like therapy.
When movement becomes an adventure, progress follows naturally.

05/03/2026

👍Working on upper limb function in hemiplegia with the support of functional electrical stimulation (FES).

⚡Electrical stimulation helps activate specific muscle groups, improve selective movement, and enhance sensory feedback. Combined with task-oriented play, it supports more purposeful hand use, better reach, and improved motor control.

🎳Therapy that feels like play — but is built on neurorehabilitation principles.

01/03/2026

🧍✨Supported active standing is so much more than just “being upright.”

During assisted verticalisation, the child not only experiences enhanced body awareness and proprioceptive input, but can also gain meaningful exposure to movement in an upright position within space.

This creates an opportunity to integrate sensory input, postural control, balance reactions and weight-bearing in a functional context.

Providing movement experiences in vertical alignment helps build neuromuscular coordination, supports joint and bone health, and allows the child to explore the world from a new perspective — actively, not passively.
Every upright moment is an opportunity for learning.

23/02/2026

🤝 Strategic Partnership Announcement

We are pleased to share that Alex’s Place is now working in partnership with Just4Children.

Just4Children is a UK charity that provides structured fundraising support for families of children with disabilities and complex medical needs.

Through this collaboration, our families will have access to:
• guidance on setting up fundraising campaigns
• support with donor platforms and compliance
• assistance in raising funds for therapy, equipment, and specialist interventions
• an established charity framework to ensure transparency and credibility

We understand that accessing intensive therapy and specialist equipment can place significant financial pressure on families. This partnership aims to provide practical support and open additional opportunities where needed.

You can learn more about Just4Children here:
https://just4children.org/fundraising/fundraising-support/

We look forward to working together to support our families beyond the clinical setting.

Supporting children and families every step of the way 💛

20/02/2026

👶 Umbilical Hernia in Infants 👶
When Should We Act?

An umbilical hernia is common in babies, especially in the first months of life. In many cases, it resolves spontaneously as the abdominal muscles strengthen and the child becomes more active.

🕒 When should we start supporting it?

In infants with typical muscle tone, monitoring is usually sufficient during the first 6 months of life, as many hernias close naturally over time.

However, earlier therapeutic support may be beneficial — even from 2–3 months of age — if:

📌 the baby presents with low muscle tone,

📌 the protrusion is large or persistent,

📌 there is a visible weakness of the abdominal wall,

📌 or no gradual improvement is observed.

In such cases, supporting abdominal activation through targeted physiotherapy - and in many cases, kinesiology taping - may help improve trunk stability and reduce the prominence of the hernia.

The photos below show the visible difference before and after appropriate therapeutic intervention.

Early, gentle support - when clinically indicated - can make a meaningful difference in overall postural development.

15/02/2026

February 15th 🧬 International Angelman Day. We celebrate on the 15th because Angelman Syndrome is caused by a change in the 15th chromosome 💙💙

11/02/2026

❄️ First ski season officially open! ⛷️
Strength, balance and postural control in progress - all through play and functional standing.
Preparing strong foundations, one little step at a time. 💙

01/02/2026

Small moments, big work 💛
Reaching, exploring, problem-solving - all wrapped into play.
Sessions like this are about much more than the activity itself. They build balance, postural control, coordination, and confidence, one curious reach at a time.
When therapy feels like play, it can boost motivation and help extend a child’s attention span on motor tasks - allowing meaningful progress to happen in a more natural and enjoyable way ✨

26/01/2026

Building upper limb strength and shoulder girdle stability is never just about the arms.

In paediatric physiotherapy, work on the hands and shoulders is always closely linked to postural control and trunk stability. When a child supports weight through the arms, reaches, pushes, or transitions between positions, the body must coordinate the shoulder girdle with the core to maintain alignment and control.

During these activities, we focus on:

• improving weight bearing through the upper limbs,

• developing shoulder girdle stability,

• supporting proximal control as the foundation for distal movement,

• enhancing trunk activation and postural responses during functional tasks.

Using dynamic surfaces, changes in position, and purposeful play allows us to challenge strength, balance, and coordination in a way that is meaningful and engaging for the child. This integrated approach stimulates the nervous system to adapt and respond, building functional, transferable, and relevant strength for everyday activities. This is crucial not only for upper limb function, but also for overall movement quality, endurance, and confidence in daily life

Functional strength always starts from the centre.

23/01/2026

New challenges like standing can sometimes feel overwhelming — but this time, the 🎈 turned out to be a real game changer.
With the right motivation, hard work becomes play, and confidence grows step by step.

,

17/01/2026

A Promising New Approach in Spasticity Management: Cryoneurolysis 🤓

Cryoneurolysis is an emerging medical technique used to temporarily reduce spasticity by applying controlled cold to a selected peripheral nerve. The cooling process disrupts nerve conduction by affecting the myelin sheath, which leads to a reduction in excessive muscle tone. Importantly, the nerve itself remains intact and gradually regenerates, making the effect reversible.

This approach is often compared to botulinum toxin (Botox), as both aim to reduce spasticity. However, cryoneurolysis may offer several potential advantages:

✔️ no toxin is injected into the body,

✔️ effects may last longer than Botox,

✔️ the treatment is highly localised and targeted,

✔️ fewer systemic side effects have been reported.

The procedure is performed by a trained doctor, usually under ultrasound guidance, and is typically carried out as an outpatient treatment. As with any spasticity intervention, physiotherapy is essential after the procedure to maximise the benefits of reduced tone and to work on movement quality, alignment, and functional skills.

At present, most research and clinical experience with cryoneurolysis comes from Canada; however, doctors around the world are being trained, and the method is attracting increasing interest within neurorehabilitation.

It is important to note that cryoneurolysis is not a cure for spasticity. The effects are temporary, and careful patient selection is crucial, particularly in children. When appropriately indicated, however, it may become a valuable alternative or complement to existing spasticity management options.

As always, decisions regarding spasticity treatment should be made by an experienced multidisciplinary team and tailored to the individual needs of the patient.

Sources / Further reading:

• Trescot AM et al. Cryoanalgesia in interventional pain management. Pain Physician, 2003.

• Ilfeld BM, Finneran JJ. Cryoneurolysis and percutaneous peripheral nerve freezing. Anesthesiology, 2020.

• Lad SP et al. Percutaneous cryoneurolysis for spasticity management. PM&R Journal.

• Canadian experience and clinical reports from interventional pain and neurorehabilitation centres.

• Review articles on peripheral nerve injury and regeneration following cryoneurolysis.

09/01/2026

PLAGIOCEPHALY is not only about the time spent on the back.

While excessive time spent lying on the back is the most commonly recognised cause of positional plagiocephaly, it IS NOT THE ONLY factor involved. In many infants, there is a less obvious - but crucial - contributor: the NECK.

When a baby is unable to rotate their head freely to both sides, repeated pressure is placed on the same area of the skull. Over time, this significantly increases the risk of cranial asymmetry. In such cases, standard home positioning strategies alone are often not sufficient.

A paediatric physiotherapist — especially one trained in infant manual therapy — is the right professional to assess and address these restrictions. Treatment involves slow, gentle, and respectful manual techniques aimed at releasing neck restrictions and restoring the baby’s ability to turn the head freely to both sides.

Early identification of obligatory head preferences allows for timely intervention and can help prevent the need for longer and more complex treatment later on. Early intervention focused on releasing the neck is a key preventive step. By improving neck mobility, we not only support more symmetrical head movement but also often enhance overall postural organisation and even eye movement. The earlier this support is provided, the less time and effort are required to prevent cranial deformation.

Within Paediatric Integrative Manual Therapy (PIMT), we look beyond head shape alone. We assess the whole system - neck mobility, postural control, muscle tone, and comfort - to address the underlying cause, not just the visible outcome.

Early support can make a meaningful difference in your child’s development.
If you have concerns about your baby’s head shape, head or body positioning, or neck movement, seeking professional assessment early is key - and at Alex’s Place, we know how to help.

Address

Ash Drive, Haughton
Stafford
ST189ET

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 6pm
Tuesday	10am - 6pm
Wednesday	10am - 6pm
Thursday	10am - 6pm
Friday	10am - 6pm
Saturday	9am - 5pm
Sunday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+447810552019

Website

https://www.alexsplace.co.uk/

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Our Story

Hello everyone My name is Aleksandra Szlapa. In 2006 I graduated with a Master of Science in Physiotherapy from the Medical University of Silesia, Poland. Since that time I have worked extensively in paediatrics. My area of practice includes neurodevelopment, neurological, orthopaedic and musculoskeletal physiotherapy. I have experience working with all age groups from early intervention programmes to preschool and school-age programmes. I have completed various post-graduate courses including: - NDT – Bobath, - Vojta, - Sensory Integration, - CST, - PNF, - Kinesio Taping, - Kinesiology Taping in Paediatric, - Three Dimension Manual Therapy of Children Fault Feet, and many other courses and workshops. I continue to enhance my knowledge and develop my skills in paediatric physiotherapy. I’m registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC; PH 114028). I’m a registered member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP; 103292)and the Association of Paediatric Charted Physiotherapists (APCP; 107772). I’m registered with: - the British Association of Bobath Trained Therapists (BABTT; 20050491), - Polish NDT-Bobath Association (http://www.ndt-bobath.pl/?page_id=6). - Polish Vojta Association (https://www.vojta.com.pl/index.php/lista/europa/), - Polish Association of Sensory Integration Therapists (http://www.integracjasensoryczna.org.pl/pl/lista-terapeutow-si/Aleksandra,Sz%C5%82apa,,0,ASC,nazwisko,10). In my practice, I use a combination of many methods and always adjust to the individual needs of the child. Of course, besides the highest level of treatment, I always prioritise the comfort and well-being of the child.