Physiotherapy

TLC-WA’s Paediatric Physiotherapist, assists babies, toddlers, children and teens dealing with a range of conditions affecting their movement, physical development, mobility, posture and/or ability to manage everyday activities. We work closely with families to understand the specific challenges they are facing and examine children to assess the primary causes of their difficulties. Based on an assessment, as well as each family’s needs and priorities, a program is tailored to ensure the most appropriate, clinical interventions to help the child develop skills and ultimately reach their goals and realise their full potential.

Treatment programs vary depending on each child’s individual difficulties and may focus on anything from motor development, movement training and strengthening through to stretching, balance, posture, coordination, endurance and education.

Our physiotherapist assesses and treats children struggling with a diverse range of concerns including:

  • Babies and toddlers experiencing developmental delays;
  • Infants struggling with congenital conditions such as pigeon toes and bow legs;
  • Developmental issues caused by premature birth;
  • Movement difficulties associated with specific diagnoses such as Juvenile Arthritis and Osgood-Schlatter Disease;
  • Rehabilitation from sporting injuries, trauma or surgery;
  • Challenges around strength and endurance during exercise;
  • Musculoskeletal pain;
  • Movement difficulties associated with disabilities such as Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Autism and many more.

At TLC-WA, we offer Paediatric Physiotherapy, not only as a stand-alone service, but as part of an integrated therapy program designed to address a child’s difficulties holistically. We treat children in a safe and nurturing environment and use evidence and play based approaches designed to make the process enjoyable for clients and their families.

Our Physiotherapy areas of expertise include:

Strength and Coordination

TLC-WA provides Paediatric Physiotherapy treatment to infants, children and adolescents experiencing movement difficulties or delays associated with general development, illness, trauma, disability and congenital conditions.

Common concerns relating to infants include an unwillingness to tolerate ‘tummy time’, delays in crawling, sitting independently, weight bearing on legs or walking, asymmetry relating to use of the arms or legs, persistent standing on toes or ‘toe walking’, walking sideways and walking with in-turning or outpointing feet.

Challenges experienced by children of all ages, as a result of trauma, developmental delay or disability, include excessive tripping or falling, fatigue, unwillingness to engage in sporting activities, decreased muscle tone, mobility difficulties and general clumsiness, unbalance or incoordination.

TLC-WA’s caring Physiotherapist works closely with families to tailor interventions that capitalise on the strengths and interests of each child, encouraging their development in an engaging and achievable way. Therapies can include the use of massage, music and dance based play, sensory movement play, strength building exercises and providing motivation to attempt activities unaided.

Balance and Posture

Concerns around balance and posture can present during infancy, through a baby being unable to sit upright, for example, or later on in childhood through children exhibiting difficulties participating in sport or other activities at school. This can range from an inability to sit on a chair or on the floor without slumping to difficulty keeping up with peers in areas such running, jumping, hopping, skipping, throwing or catching balls, manoeuvring through playground equipment and copying body positions from physical demonstrations.

Balance and posture issues can also manifest themselves in an inability to stand on one leg, being fearful of balancing above ground on apparatus such as a beam or frame, the need to regularly use hands to assist and stabilise, a dislike of ‘moving’ playground equipment such as swings or trampolines, difficulty navigating stairs, an ongoing inability to master a bicycle without training wheels and frequently bumping into items or tripping over when moving around.

COVID-19

UPDATE EFFECTIVE 20 APRIL 2023

We are very pleased that we are currently able to provide face to face services to all our clients, both at the clinic and in the wider community. It is essential that we all remain vigilant and observe all protocols to keep everyone safe and free from COVID-19.
Please note TLC WA, will continue to ensure all precautions remain in place regarding infection control to minimise the risk of community transmission. It is vital that that we all play our part in reducing the risk of transmission, therefore we ask that you do not attend the clinic if you, or any of your close contacts, have ANY signs of illness. If you do attend the clinic, wherever possible please maintain your distance.
Current infection control measures require all sessions to be closed 5 minutes early so that all equipment, furniture and door handles can be wiped down before the next client enters the room. Your understanding regarding this essential service is appreciated.
Please be reassured that we will continue to support and provide services for all our clients during these difficult and challenging times. If you have any questions please either email reception@tlc-wa.com.au or call us on (08) 9301 1154. We will respond to all enquiries as soon as possible.
Stay safe, stay well and we will all get through this together.
With best wishes
Diana Chivers, Director