Why Should I Call a Pediatric PT?

I went to PT school in 1988, graduating in 1989. When I applied I was a very young and naive college student who's mother thought PT would be a good career for me. (Let's clarify, 30 years later my Dad still asks me why I didn't go to medical school?? Simple answer... organic chem. Complicated answer... that's another blog). At the time I applied, I knew there were lots of options for jobs/areas of PT I could go into. At the time I was a runner and former gymnast so I thought I'd go into sports med. WRONG! By the time I graduated I'd fallen in love with our neurological system. So the journey began.

Back in the 90s people came to see me somewhat involuntarily. They were admitted to a rehab unit after having a traumatic injury - a stroke, cardiac arrest, an amputation, joint replacement, or head injury were the most common. Let's just say I earned my title as "Personal torturer". The therapy I applied was difficult on the patients and me. That's not to say there weren't happy moments of patients learning to walk again, but a lot of my day was spent with people in distress.

In the famous words of FRIENDS, Ross Geller, I made a huge "Pivot" about 17 years ago. I began seeing children. Most recently I have drilled that down to babies and young children. I'm glad to say it's a whole different enchilada. I would say my main focus is education.

Because a child cannot carry out his own home program. It's my job to teach parents how to be their child's physical therapist. I educate parents on gross motor skills. I help them learn the best ways to play with their child so that motor skills develop typically. I've been a new parent and I know that babies don't come with an instruction manual. I didn't know what toys they needed or what containers were. I didn't know how to position my baby to prevent flat head. I didn't know what I didn't know. I didn't even have the internet to confuse me. I was in a canoe without a paddle, so to speak.

So when should you call a pediatric PT?? WHENEVER you have questions or concerns. Just like you have regular follow ups with your pediatrician, you can see a pediatric PT periodically to get the best information on what you need to be focusing on for your baby's developmental age. We can help quiet the voices that haunt parents at night - the ones that make you feel unsure. Of course if you have any concerns that your baby is not progressing with development, you can get a referral for PT immediately. Here are some of the issues that would warrant a PT referral:

• Torticollis - this is tightening of the neck muscles on one side which causes your baby to have a preference to look to only one side. This will cause difficulties with feeding, rolling over, tummy time and scanning their environment. As soon as you notice this, you should come to a PT. The sooner you come, the sooner this problem will be in your rearview mirror.

• Flat head - This is known as plagiocephaly or brachycephaly. If your baby has a flat spot on the side or across the back, a PT evaluation is necessary as soon as possible. Before the age of 4 months head shaping can be done with positioning. By 4-6 months your baby will need to wear a helmet. Flat head is the close cousin of torticollis because being unable to turn your head keeps you in one spot. The prolonged pressure causes the flat spot.

• Poor tolerance to tummy time. I'll admit tummy time is hard but a pediatric PT can show you some useful tricks and make it more fun. Your baby's future development depends on the stuff he learns during tummy time - shoulder strength, core strength, back extension, head control, midline orientation. Don't be in denial. If your having difficulty with tummy time, come see a PT and get some help.

• Asymmetrical use of extremities. Your baby should not be determined as left or right handed as an infant. If you are noticing a preference for one side, there is a reason. A PT will help you incorporate play that will encourage your baby to use both hands equally.

• Funky crawling or lack of crawling. Although many non-PT experts will say that crawling isn't necessary, its a skill most typical babies do. So if yours isn't crawling on hands and knees, I implore you to ask why? Crawling helps integrate the 2 sides of the brain. It strengthens the hands for fine motor skills to come (writing). It develops the shoulders, hips and core. Its a means of mobility and how we get into standing. And so much more.

• Inability to roll over or sit up.

• Late walking/inability to walk. Your baby should be cruising furniture around 12-13 months. If they are not walking by 15 months I recommend a PT consult so they can get there by 18 months.

• Premature birth. If your baby was a premie she receives an adjustment in age equal to amount of time she was early. That time lost in the womb is time that systems did not get to develop. PT can help your baby catch up by age 2 years.

• Toy and container use - a container is anything that fully supports your baby and does not allow movement. Some of these items are necessary. Some are downright harmful. A PT consult can help you wade through the confusion that is the Target baby isle. The container industry makes a lot of money but they don't always have our best interests at heart. Let a PT educate you and help you get through this minefield.

• Shoe recommendations - PTs are experts in walking and the feet. Let us help you decide when and what to put on your babies feet. (Hint - you don't always need the most expensive items in this category or the container category.)

As a parent educator, I love what I do. Working with babies has taken the "personal torturing" out of my life. Using tips and tricks that I've learned over the years I am able to keep most of my babies calm and happy while doing what I do. I channel the love you have for your child into a playful but purposeful session. There is no question too small or insignificant. I hope to give all my families peace of mind and confidence and you can't put a price on that.