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What is physiotherapy?

Sometimes physiotherapy can be thought of as being a type of therapy that helps individuals to physically recover after suffering an injury,  an accident, a surgery or other physical trauma. While this is true, physiotherapy can support children with disability to improve their physical wellbeing.

How can physiotherapy support my child?

Physiotherapy can support your child in many ways, depending on their individual therapy goals and abilities. It can look very different for each child. They may be working towards development and motor milestones such as rolling, sitting or standing. Other goals our physiotherapy team can support your child with might include:

- Maintaining or improving strength, muscle tone and flexibility

- Making recommendations on and prescribing mobility equipment such as walkers and standers

- Managing pain and stiffness

- Supporting better body positioning and posture

- Respiratory support

- Hydrotherapy programs (where available)

- Developing skills for play 

Physiotherapy activities

Your child’s Physiotherapist with work with you and your child to create an individualised program that will be tailored to their needs and the goals of your child and your family.

Some examples of physiotherapy activities might include:

- Putting toys just out of reach so that a child is supported to improve their reach and balance.

- Improving upper body strength so that a child can work towards getting themselves in and out of their wheelchair

- Practising balance and coordination riding a trike or shooting hoops.

- Standing supported for periods of time.

But remember, there are so many more, these are just a few examples.

The Xavier team

At Xavier, our team of physiotherapists work alongside our occupational therapists, speech therapists, music therapists and nurses as part of our multi-disciplinary allied health team. We work with children and families across Brisbane and the greater Brisbane region including Ipswich and Logan.

Further information  

If you’d like further information about physiotherapy for children with high support needs arising from disability, call us on 1800 XAVIER to chat to one of our friendly team members or email intake@xavier.org.au