Orthoses & Physiotherapy: How They Work Together to Support Your Child
October is National Physical Therapy Month, making it a great time to recognize the important role physiotherapists play in helping children build strength, improve movement and reach their goals.
When your child uses a brace, physiotherapy can help them make the most of the support it provides. Together, the brace and therapy can help your child build skills, improve movement and participate more confidently in everyday activities.
What Does Physiotherapy Do?
Physiotherapy focuses on helping your child develop skills such as strength, balance, coordination, flexibility and mobility. A physiotherapist may work with your child on everything from learning to stand and walk to improving their running, stair climbing or participation in sports.
What Does a Brace Do?
An orthosis, commonly called a brace, provides support based on your child’s individual needs. Depending on the type of brace, it may help improve alignment, provide stability, control unwanted movement, support weak muscles or maintain range of motion.
Why Do They Work Together?
Think of a brace as a tool that can provide a more stable foundation for movement, while physiotherapy helps your child develop the skills and strength to use that support. For example, an AFO may help position a child’s foot and ankle during standing and walking. This can provide greater stability while their physiotherapist works on balance, strength, coordination and gait.
Your Child’s Goals Come First
Every child is different, and there isn’t one brace that works for every child with the same diagnosis. Orthotic care should consider your child’s individual movement, abilities, challenges and goals. Communication between your child’s physiotherapist, orthotist, physician and family is an important part of this process. Changes in strength, mobility, range of motion or developmental goals may mean that an orthosis needs to be adjusted or changed.
Growing Means Changing
Children grow quickly, and their needs can change just as quickly. A brace that worked well six months ago may no longer provide the right support as your child grows or develops new skills. Regular follow-up with your orthotist and physiotherapist can help ensure their orthosis continues to support their needs. Orthotics and physiotherapy are two pieces of the same puzzle, working together to help your child move, participate and reach their potential.
The Custom Orthotics Team (519) 850-4721 | office@customorthoticsoflondon.com | @cool_bracing
