The importance of Physiotherapy for physically disabled children.
Physiotherapy has an increasingly important role to play in the holistic approach to care for physically disabled children
· For children in wheelchairs, they can spend their entire waking day in the same position. For them, stretching, massage and hydrotherapy can be a welcome break from their wheelchair and can ensure that they remain as comfortable and as mobile as possible
· For physically disabled children who suffer from spasms and spasticity (tight muscles) associated with Cerebral Palsy physiotherapy can help immensely with pain relief
· Children with Muscular Dystrophy are often reliant on the intervention of chest physiotherapy – a helping hand when their bodies become too weak to support themselves – chest physio is vital in keeping many of these sufferers out of hospital
Many physically disabled children rely on regular physiotherapy in order to remain well enough to continue and to enjoy aspects of life to the full.
Approaches to physiotherapy for the physically disabled…
Individual programme: Physically disabled children can have individual sessions of stretches and exercises to keep them supple and comfortable.
Hydrotherapy: The swimming pool is a popular place for physically disabled children to enjoy freedom from their wheelchairs and experience the increased mobility that this load-bearing exercise affords. Hydrotherapy sessions are staff-intensive, but hugely beneficial to the children.
Keep-fit: Children should be encouraged to make use of multi-gyms with specially adapted equipment, for example a Motormed exercise bike that can be pedalled from a wheelchair using either arms, or legs with therapists on hand to guide and support the children.
Slim & Trim: Many youngsters have an enforced sedentary lifestyle and weight-management is an important part of taking responsibility for their health and well-being. Slim and trim sessions include a weigh-in, advice on nutrition and individual exercise circuits.
Massage & Relaxation: Far from being a luxury, for children who suffer from spasms and spasticity, regular massage can be the most effective route to pain relief.
Chest Physio: For those children with Muscular Dystrophy in particular, on-call access to a Chest Physio is vital to ward off, or aid recovery from colds and chest infections.
It is important that children with physical disabilities have regular, structured physiotherapy to help them remain well enough to enjoy their lives to the full.
Written by Treloar Trust, which provides education, care, therapy, medical support and independence training to young people with physical disabilities from all over the UK and overseas. Treloar School & College aims to prepare these young people for adult life, giving them the confidence and skills to achieve their full potential. Visit the Treloar website at http://www.treloar.org.uk
