Children’s Physiotherapy: Supporting Growing Bodies
When a child develops an injury, it can be tempting to think of their treatment in the same way as an adult’s. However, children and teenagers are constantly growing and developing, which means their bodies respond to injury, exercise and rehabilitation differently.
From growth plates and developing bones to changing muscle strength and coordination, there are several factors that need to be considered when treating children. A child’s age, stage of development, activity levels and individual needs can all influence their recovery.
At Wimbledon Physiotherapy, our approach to children’s physiotherapy is designed around these differences, helping young patients recover safely while building confidence in their bodies and getting them back to the activities they enjoy.
How Is Children’s Physiotherapy Different?
Growing Bodies Need a Different Approach
One of the biggest differences between treating children and adults is that children’s bodies are still developing. Their bones, muscles, tendons and joints are continually changing, so an injury needs to be considered alongside their stage of growth.
This is particularly important for children who are very active or play sport regularly. As their bodies change, their movement patterns and physical capabilities can change too. An exercise that was appropriate a few months ago may need to be adapted as a child grows stronger or goes through a growth spurt.
Physiotherapy for children therefore isn't simply about treating the injury itself. It is about understanding the wider picture and making sure rehabilitation is appropriate for where they are in their development.
Growth Plates and Developing Bones
Children’s bones contain specialised areas called growth plates, which are responsible for helping bones grow in length. These areas are softer and more vulnerable to injury than fully developed adult bone.
Growth plate injuries can occur through accidents, falls or sporting activities, and they need to be managed carefully because they are still actively involved in bone development. This is one of the reasons why assessment and appropriate medical advice are particularly important when a child experiences a significant injury.
Children’s bones are also generally more flexible than adult bones. Their ability to remodel and adapt as they grow means that they can heal differently from adult bones. Physiotherapy needs to take this into consideration when planning exercises, managing activity levels and progressing rehabilitation.
The aim is always to support recovery without placing unnecessary stress on developing structures.
Growth Spurts Can Affect Muscles and Tendons
If your child has suddenly become less flexible, started complaining of aches or developed a new sporting niggle, a growth spurt could be one of the factors contributing to it.
During periods of rapid growth, bones can lengthen faster than muscles and tendons adapt. This can temporarily create tightness and alter the way a child moves. For children who play sport regularly, these changes can sometimes contribute to strains, overuse injuries or discomfort around areas such as the knees, heels and hips.
This doesn't mean that growing pains or sporting aches should simply be ignored. Persistent or worsening pain should always be assessed so that the underlying cause can be understood.
A physiotherapist can look at how a child is moving, identify areas of weakness or tightness and provide exercises to help them manage these changes as their body develops.
Children Aren’t Just Small Adults
Another important consideration is that children are not simply smaller versions of adults. Their physical abilities, coordination, understanding and confidence are all developing at different rates.
Two children of the same age can have very different levels of strength, coordination and sporting ability. This means rehabilitation needs to be individual rather than based purely on age.
Exercises should be safe and appropriate for the child's stage of development, while also being achievable and engaging. For younger children especially, traditional rehabilitation exercises can quickly become repetitive or difficult to understand.
Making Rehabilitation Fun and Engaging
Children are much more likely to engage with their rehabilitation when it feels enjoyable rather than like a chore.
At Wimbledon Physiotherapy, we aim to make sessions interactive and age-appropriate, using exercises and activities that are relevant to the child and the things they enjoy. This could mean incorporating elements of their favourite sport, using games to develop strength and coordination, or simply introducing variety into their programme.
Keeping children motivated is an important part of rehabilitation. The more consistently they engage with their exercises and activity plan, the more effectively they can build strength, confidence and movement skills.
Our Approach to Children’s Physiotherapy
At Wimbledon Physiotherapy, we take a holistic approach to treating children and young people. Rather than focusing solely on where something hurts, we look at the factors that may have contributed to the problem and how we can support the child as they recover.
Looking at the Bigger Picture
A thorough assessment allows our physiotherapists to understand more than just the immediate injury. We may look at posture, movement patterns, strength, flexibility, balance and coordination to identify any factors that could be contributing to pain or affecting performance.
This can be particularly useful for children who experience recurring injuries or discomfort during periods of increased sporting activity or rapid growth.
Creating Age-Appropriate Rehabilitation
Every child's rehabilitation programme should be different. Exercises are selected based on their injury, physical abilities, stage of development and individual goals.
For a young athlete, this might involve progressively building strength and movement before returning to training. For another child, the focus may be on improving coordination, confidence or everyday movement.
As the child progresses, their programme can be adapted to continue challenging them without progressing too quickly.
Supporting Parents Along the Way
Parents play an important role in a child's recovery, particularly when rehabilitation exercises need to be completed at home.
We provide clear guidance on what your child should be doing between appointments, how often they should complete their exercises and what signs to look out for as they return to normal activity.
Understanding the rehabilitation process can also give parents greater confidence in knowing when their child is ready to increase their activity and when they may need to take a step back.
A Safe Return to Sport
For children who play sport, getting back on the pitch, court or track is often one of their biggest priorities.
Returning too quickly, however, can increase the risk of aggravating an existing injury or developing another one. We therefore use a gradual, structured approach to help children rebuild the strength, movement and confidence they need before returning fully to sport.
The aim isn't simply to get a child back to activity as quickly as possible. It's to help them return safely, confidently and ready to cope with the demands of their sport.
When Should Your Child See a Physiotherapist?
Children's physiotherapy can be helpful for a wide range of problems, from sports injuries and recurring aches to movement difficulties and rehabilitation following surgery.
You may want to consider seeking professional advice if your child:
- Has persistent pain that isn't improving
- Has suffered a sports injury
- Keeps experiencing the same injury or niggle
- Develops pain during or after a growth spurt
- Has reduced strength, flexibility, balance or movement
- Is struggling to return to sport following an injury
- Needs rehabilitation following surgery or another medical treatment
If you're unsure whether physiotherapy is appropriate, an assessment can help determine what may be causing the problem and whether further treatment or referral is needed.
Book a Children’s Physiotherapy Appointment
Children's bodies are constantly changing, and their physiotherapy should reflect that. By taking growth, development, activity levels and individual needs into account, rehabilitation can be tailored to help each child make progress safely.
Whether your child has picked up a sports injury, is struggling with aches during a growth spurt or simply needs specialist support with movement and rehabilitation, our experienced physiotherapists are here to help.
Call Wimbledon Physiotherapy on 020 8542 7788 or use our online booking system to arrange an appointment.