Paediatric Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation

18/11/2025

✨ Miracles in Medicine! ✨
Dr. Babar and his incredible team continue to do wonders at SIUT! 💙

A little warrior born with coarctation of the aorta and severe LV dysfunction was taken into the Cath Lab — and thanks to the team’s skill, dedication, and swift intervention, the child made an amazing recovery. 🙌

💫 Discharged just a day later!
Truly remarkable work by everyone involved. Grateful for these heroes who change lives every single day. 👶💛

Hearts

24/10/2025

24/10/2025

👶 Did you know?
When a baby crawls using one leg or one arm more than the other, it’s called asymmetrical crawling.

💡 This can sometimes happen because of:

Mild muscle tightness or weakness on one side

Uneven balance or body awareness

Torticollis or flat head shape (favoring one side)

Delays in motor coordination

While it’s common for babies to have their own style, consistent one-sided crawling can make future movements like walking, standing, or running a bit tricky if not addressed early.

✨ A pediatric physiotherapist can assess your baby’s movement, guide you with simple home exercises, and support balanced muscle development.

❤️ Remember — early awareness helps your baby grow strong, confident, and coordinated!

26/09/2025

✨ When Tiny Beginnings Become Mighty Stories ✨

A lot of people believe that medical care in the NICU is only about machines, tubes, monitors… but there’s something gentle & extraordinary happening too — Pediatric Physical Therapy.

💬 What it really means for your baby & for you:

Every tiny touch, stretch, and positioning isn’t just about where their arms or legs go — it’s about helping their brain connect, their muscles learn, and their body feel safe.

When parents learn how to hold, soothe, or move their baby in ways that respond to what the baby needs, magic happens: bonding deepens, stress lowers, hope grows.

This isn’t just early help. It’s a long-term investment: better sleep, better feeding, better movement – which means fewer struggles later and more joy now.

🔍 Why this matters more than you might think:

Babies born early or with medical challenges often skip out on experiences that full-term babies get in utero: gentle movement, cozy containment, rhythmic calm. PT helps recreate safe ways for them to grow those skills.

Early therapy helps reduce risks of delays or difficulties with crawling, walking, posture, feeding, and even emotional regulation.

For YOU as parents, being involved in your baby’s therapy gives knowledge, confidence, and connection — you become an active part of the healing.

🌟 Because even the tiniest hands can change the shape of a child’s future.

19/09/2025

🌟 Is Your Baby Tilting Their Head? It Could Be Torticollis 🌟

If you’ve noticed your little one tilting their head to one side or having trouble turning their neck, it might be a condition called Torticollis. This happens when the muscles in the neck tighten, and while it sounds scary, it’s actually quite common in babies and can be treated with simple exercises.

👶 Signs to Watch For:

Head tilting to one side

Difficulty turning their head in one direction

Preference for looking or turning towards one side

💪 How to Help:

Gentle stretching and positioning exercises (your pediatric physical therapist can show you how!)

Holding your baby in different positions to encourage neck movement

Early intervention can lead to great results!

If you suspect torticollis, it’s always a good idea to check with your pediatric physical therapist. They can guide you on how to help your baby feel better!

🩺 Remember: Early treatment makes a big difference in your baby’s comfort and development. Share this with other parents who might find it helpful! 😊

29/08/2025

🧠✨ BUILDING PROPRIOCEPTION IN KIDS
— Tips from a Pediatric Physical Therapist —

Proprioception is your child’s “body sense”—their ability to know where their body is in space without looking. It plays a key role in balance, coordination, and motor skills.

👣 Kids with underdeveloped proprioception may seem clumsy, constantly seek hugs or pressure, or have trouble with fine motor tasks.

🛠️ Here are simple ways to boost proprioceptive input:

✅ Heavy Work Activities
➡️ Pushing/pulling laundry baskets
➡️ Carrying groceries or backpacks
➡️ Animal walks (bear crawl, crab walk)

✅ Resistance Play
➡️ Tug-of-war with a towel
➡️ Playdough, putty, or squeezing stress balls
➡️ Climbing playground equipment

✅ Deep Pressure
➡️ Weighted blankets or lap pads (with supervision)
➡️ Firm hugs, rolling in a blanket ("burrito wrap")

✅ Jumping & Crashing
➡️ Jumping on a trampoline
➡️ Crashing into a pillow pile
➡️ Hopscotch or jumping games

📌 Proprioceptive activities are calming and organizing for the nervous system. They're great before school, homework, or bedtime!

🧡 Not sure if your child needs more support? A pediatric PT can help assess and guide individualized activities.

22/08/2025

👣 Your child’s first steps are just the beginning of an exciting journey! 🌟To build balance, strength, and confidence, make walking a fun adventure:✔️ Let them explore different surfaces (carpet, grass, foam mats)✔️ Create playful obstacle paths for safe challenges 🧸✔️ Encourage movement that sparks independence & coordination 💪Every little step is both progress and play! 💜

01/08/2025

👣 Toe Walking in Children — Should You Be Concerned? 🚸

Is your child walking on their toes most of the time? While occasional toe walking is common in toddlers just learning to walk, persistent toe walking beyond the age of 2–3 may need further attention.

🔍 Possible causes of toe walking:

Habitual walking pattern (idiopathic)

Tight calf muscles (Achilles tendon)

Sensory processing issues

Neurological conditions like cerebral palsy or autism spectrum disorder

👩‍⚕️ How Pediatric Physical Therapy Helps:
✅ Stretching tight muscles
✅ Strengthening leg and core muscles
✅ Balance and posture training
✅ Gait retraining with fun, play-based activities
✅ Parent guidance for home strategies

💡 Early support can make a big difference in preventing long-term issues like joint pain, balance problems, or poor posture.

🧠 Tip for parents: Keep an eye on how often and how long your child toe walks — patterns matter!

📌 Don’t panic — but do ask questions. Early assessment can help your child walk, run, and grow with confidence!

26/07/2025

🦴 Juvenile Arthritis (JA): What Every Parent Should Know 🌈
👶 By a Pediatric Physical Therapist

Did you know? Juvenile Arthritis affects 1 in every 1,000 children under the age of 16. It’s not just an “adult” condition – kids can get arthritis too! But early recognition and proper support can make a big difference.

🔍 What is Juvenile Arthritis?
Juvenile Arthritis is an umbrella term for several autoimmune and inflammatory conditions in children that cause joint swelling, stiffness, and pain.

🧒 Common Signs Parents Should Look For:
✔️ Morning joint stiffness
✔️ Swollen knees, hands, or ankles
✔️ Limping without pain
✔️ Reluctance to play, run, or climb
✔️ Unexplained fatigue or irritability
✔️ Eye redness or blurred vision (in some cases)

🧠 Why Movement Matters
As pediatric physical therapists, we focus on:
✅ Maintaining joint mobility and strength
✅ Preventing joint deformities
✅ Improving posture, balance, and overall function
✅ Helping kids stay active safely and confidently!

💪 Our goal: To keep your child moving, learning, and thriving—without fear or pain.

👨‍👩‍👧 What You Can Do
🌿 Encourage gentle activities like swimming or cycling
🧊 Use warm compresses for stiffness, cold for swelling
📅 Keep regular follow-ups with your care team
🧘 Focus on emotional support – it’s just as important!

📌 Early intervention = Better outcomes.
If you notice signs, don’t wait. Talk to your doctor and ask about physical therapy—it’s a game-changer in long-term care.

🔗 Learn more:

https://www.arthritis.ca/about-arthritis/arthritis-types-(a-z)/types/juvenile-idiopathic-arthritis

https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/arthritis.html

📣 Let’s raise awareness for Juvenile Arthritis Month and support our little warriors! 💙