Physiotherapy for Teens
We tend to think that teens “bounce right back” from injuries, illnesses, and surgery. While it’s true that kids typically have a better capacity to heal than adults, that doesn’t mean they don’t require support while healing. Physiotherapy can be vital to proper healing at any age, to the same degree as casts or stitches. Without physiotherapy, teens may not fully recover from certain physical ailments. They may be left with scar tissue, limited mobility, or other issues that may become more pronounced as they age. In addition, as more children are overweight or have less strength than they should at their age, more require support to fully recover from injuries. Here’s what you need to know about physiotherapy for teens.
When Does a Teen Need Physiotherapy?
It may be hard to know when a teen needs physiotherapy. Sometimes doctors neglect to recommend physiotherapy even for adult issues where the patient would benefit significantly. So, what kind of conditions might affect teens which may also benefit from physiotherapy? Most major injuries and surgeries, as well as conditions that affect range of motion, co-ordination, balance and strength.
Injuries from sports or school may merit a trip to the physiotherapist. This is especially true if they require several weeks of recovery time. Common but serious injuries like ACL tears and strains and overuse injuries need to be handled carefully to ensure that your teen makes a full recovery.
We can also help with growing pains. These are a result of the body growing uncomfortably quickly in key areas, stressing the muscles that are nearby. Physiotherapy that works the soft tissue, reduces inflammation, and stretches the muscles and tendons can all help to relieve this pain.
Other conditions and injuries that we can assist with include:
- Hypermobility
- Plantar fasciitis/heel spurs
- Foot fractures
- Sprained ankles
- Spondylolysis
- Syndesmosis injury (high ankle sprains)
- Achilles tendinopathy, tendinitis, rupture
- Shin splints
- Knee bursitis
- Femoroacetabular impingement
- Gluteal tendinopathy
- Greater trochanteric hip pain syndrome
- Hip labral tear
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome
- Posterior Impingement syndrome Tibialis posterior tendinopathy
- Compartment syndrome
- Plica Syndrome
- Traction apophysitis
There are many more conditions that tend to affect teenagers which can be helped by physiotherapy. It is wise to reach out to a physiotherapist if you’re not sure whether or not your teen could benefit from physiotherapy.
What is Physiotherapy for Teens Like?
As with physiotherapy for adults, treatments for teens are very focused on the individual person’s need and the goals that they need to achieve to recover or reduce their symptoms. Your teen’s physiotherapy will start with an assessment. We will assess how they are currently doing and create a plan to help manage pain, reduce swelling, promote healing, develop strength, balance, coordination, and other skills. As your teen progresses, we track how close they are to achieving their goals and adjust the program as needed.
Physiotherapy for teens can involve exercises and stretches, manual therapy, Pilates, acupuncture, and many other kinds of treatments. All of these programs are individualized, so your teen always gets the specific support they need.
Reach out to Meadowlands Physiotherapy today to discuss whether your teen might benefit from physiotherapy.