Physical therapy is a type of medical treatment that helps a
person move his or her body. You might wonder why anyone would need
help moving. But if you've ever had a broken bone or a bad
injury, you know how hard it can be to do normal things, like walk
or throw a baseball. Physical therapy helps people who have been
injured, or who have a physical disability such as
cerebral palsy
, so they can move their bodies better.
Physical therapists (or PTs) are health professionals who know a
lot about how the body moves and how to improve movement. They
treat people as young as little babies and as old as
great-grandparents. A person might go to one physical therapy
session or many sessions over months or years. During the sessions,
the therapist teaches the person exercises and special stretches.
This therapy can strengthen weak
muscles
and show the person new ways of getting around.
When Kids Go to Physical Therapy
A broken leg is a good example of why a kid might go to physical
therapy. Before leaving the
hospital
, the physical therapist would teach him or her how to walk with
crutches and how to go up and down stairs. Therapists know the best
way to hold onto crutches and teach kids how much weight they can
put on the
broken leg
.
While learning to walk with crutches, a kid might wear a safety
belt so he or she doesn't fall down or stumble while
practicing. The PT also teaches the child's parents about using
crutches safely on flat surfaces and stairs.
Another kind of therapy called
occupational therapy
can also be helpful. Occupational therapy helps an injured or
disabled person learn how to do daily tasks, such as getting
dressed or brushing teeth. Some people say a physical therapist
will get you where you are going, but an occupational therapist
helps you out when you get there.
Learning by Playing
Kids learn by playing, so physical therapists often have toys
for kids to use. You might find balls, benches, swings, and slides
in a pediatric therapy gym. Kids can have some fun during these
therapy sessions, though it can be a lot of hard work to make
muscles stronger and learn to do new things.
Some kids might see a PT just one or two times, whereas other
kids may be in therapy for many months. The sessions usually last
30 minutes to 60 minutes, depending on the kid's age and the
type of problems he or she is having.
Do You Want to Be a Physical Therapist?
If you're interested in science, how the body works, and in
caring for people, you might think about being a physical
therapist. You will need to go to college (for 4 years) and then to
a graduate school program (for 2 or more years) before you can work
as a physical therapist. But all that school is worth it, according
to one therapist who works with kids.
She says, "Pediatric physical therapists love their jobs
because they help children learn to move their bodies, so they can
play, feed themselves, walk, and run with their families and
friends. We see children achieve great things with all their hard
work."
Reviewed by:
Julie Shulman, DPT
Date reviewed: October 2008
Originally reviewed by:
Karen Manternach, MSPT
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
© 1995-2009 The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth. All rights reserved.