Paediatric Physiotherapy
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Michael has extensive experience in treatment of paediatric conditions after years of work at Oxford Children's Hospital and in the Paediatric Department at Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells Hospital. The conditions he treats include:
• Joint / muscle pain
• Sport specific injury rehabilitation & progression back to performance
• Postural concerns
• Neuromuscular disorders
• Genetic or undiagnosed conditions
• Abnormal gait patterns (eg. tip toe walking)
• Hypermobility/EDS
• Erb’s palsy, plagiocephaly and torticollis
• Pre & post operative rehabilitation for orthopaedic surgery
• Balance & co-ordination difficulties
• Muscle imbalance / muscle weakness
• Scoliosis
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Non-CF Bronchiectasis
• Dysfunctional breathing
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)
• Neurological conditions including cerebral palsy, acquired & traumatic brain injury
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Physiotherapy helps restore movement and function when someone is affected by injury, illness, or disability. It is a science-based profession which often takes a holistic approach to health and wellbeing. Following personalised assessment, physiotherapists help people through movement and exercise, advice, education, and often utilise treatments like manual therapy. Patient involvement in their own care is often a key part of physiotherapy. This is commonly facilitated by promoting awareness and empowerment. If necessary, your physiotherapist may recommend you’re seen by other specialists, for example orthopaedic surgeons, pain specialists or rheumatologists.
Paediatric physiotherapy is the treatment and care of babies, children and young people from birth to 19 years. Paediatric (children's) physiotherapists bring their specialist skills as physiotherapists and have additional expert knowledge and experience of child development and of childhood conditions.
Physiotherapy treatment for children is made up of an assessment of the child’s needs and the creation of an individual treatment programme. Children's physiotherapists recognise the importance of working in partnership with the child, parents and carers to maximise a child’s physical abilities and independence. Children's physiotherapists should have a good understanding of child development, childhood diseases and conditions that may impact on development and well being, therapeutic interventions that enable and optimise development and well being, the need to place the child at the centre of planning, the impact that having a sick or disabled child has on family life, how to keep children safe, how to ensure that children and young people make choices. how to develop their own skills and practice how to develop services in line with Government guidance committed to improving quality and life chances for children
In the vast majority of cases, physiotherapy is considered effective for appropriate conditions. Physiotherapy can also play a role in the prevention of further injury and worsening of chronic symptoms. When treated by qualified and experienced physiotherapy experts, physiotherapy is highly beneficial for most people.
The first session will include an assessment to learn about your child and the situation that has brought you both to physiotherapy. It's usually split into subjective assessment (a friendly chat about what is going on) and the objective assessment (a physical examination of your child). Michael will also ask about your child's medical history. Gathering this information ensures that physiotherapy management of their symptoms is safe and helps determine a diagnosis and / or prognosis for them. It will also help set both of your goals and expectations for treatment.
Your child or teenager will need to be able to move around comfortably during your appointment, so please ensure that they wear something comfortable. Sports clothing or gym kit is ideal. A pair of sports shorts in their bag or under their kit is even better, particularly for anyone attending straight from school. Remember that Michael may need to assess the affected area for your child so please ensure they are wearing something that they feel comfortable removing or moving for ease of access.
Absolutely not. All patients under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult chaperone. If any young person attends an appointment without their chaperone, the appointment cannot go ahead and will need to be rescheduled.
Yes there is. Please see our contact page for more information.
Michael understands that many patients thrive when treated at home. He offers in-clinic and at home appointments. Please get in touch to discuss your needs and Michael will make an assessment with you based on his caseload and commutability from his Tunbridge Wells base.
