Paediatric Physiotherapy London

Paediatric physiotherapy is the treatment and support of babies, children, and young people from birth to 18 years. Paediatric physiotherapists use specialist knowledge of child development to help improve movement, strength, and coordination.

Your physiotherapist will assess your child’s movement, discuss your concerns, and design an individualised plan. This may include exercises, play-based activities, and advice for home.

Physiotherapy for children should not be painful. Some children may be a little anxious at first, but sessions are gentle, supportive, and designed to make your child feel comfortable.

The number of sessions depends on your child’s age, needs, and goals. Your physiotherapist will discuss this with you after the initial assessment and provide home strategies to continue progress between sessions.

Yes. Paediatric physiotherapy is one of the main treatments for torticollis (tight neck muscles or head-turning preference). A physiotherapist can teach you gentle stretches and positioning techniques to help improve your baby’s range of movement and prevent flattening on one side of the head.

Yes. For mild positional talipes, physiotherapy can help improve foot position and flexibility through gentle exercises and stretching. Your physiotherapist will also show you safe ways to support your baby’s foot alignment during play and daily care.

If your baby dislikes tummy time, your physiotherapist can show you fun, easy ways to build tolerance and strength, such as using rolled towels or doing tummy time on your chest. This helps strengthen the neck, shoulders, and back muscles needed for sitting and crawling.

Yes. Children with hypermobility may appear “double-jointed” and can sometimes experience tiredness, clumsiness, or poor posture. Physiotherapy helps by strengthening the muscles that support the joints, improving stability and balance.

Some toddlers go through a short phase of toe-walking. However, if your child walks on their toes most of the time or struggles to place their heels down, a physiotherapist can assess muscle tightness or balance issues and recommend stretching or strengthening exercises if needed.

Yes. A physiotherapist can assess your child’s strength, balance, and coordination to identify what may be delaying walking. Early physiotherapy helps children develop the confidence and muscle control they need to start walking independently.

If your child often trips, avoids playground equipment, or struggles with ball skills or PE, physiotherapy can help strengthen their core, improve coordination, and boost confidence in physical activities.

Your physiotherapist will give you tailored play-based activities to do at home. These might include floor play, balance games, or specific movements to build strength, coordination, and confidence in everyday tasks.

Physiotherapy focuses on movement, strength, and posture, while occupational therapy helps with fine motor skills, daily activities, and sensory processing. Many children benefit from both as part of a multidisciplinary approach.