General FAQs
Q: What is the difference between occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT)?
The main difference between OT and PT is OT focuses on helping individuals participate in activities of daily living such as personal hygiene, eating, bathing, and dressing whereas PT focuses on improving mobility, strength, physical function, and managing pain. OTs also may specialize in sensory processing disorders and fine motor delays.
Q: Can a physical therapist come to my home for services?
Rady Children’s does not provide in-home therapy services. Treatment sessions are currently performed in the clinic at Rady Children’s. Please refer to our resources tab to learn about regional centers if interested in home services.
Q: How can my child get physical therapy?
Please speak with your child’s pediatrician for a referral to physical therapy.
About Infants
Q: What are the benefits of tummy time?
Supervised tummy time is important for:
- Strengthening your baby’s neck, shoulder, arm, core, and trunk muscles to help achieve rolling, sitting, crawling, and walking gross motor milestones.
- Maintaining a round head shape and preventing flattening of the side or back of your baby’s head (positional plagiocephaly).
Q: When should my baby start tummy time?
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, a newborn baby can safely start tummy time as soon as your baby comes home from the hospital (from birth). Please be advised tummy time must always be supervised.
Q: How much tummy time is recommended?
Supervised tummy time, performed for at least an hour per day by 3-4 months of age, is crucial for a baby’s development. This time can be broken into shorter intervals throughout the day. As your baby grows stronger, you can gradually increase the duration of tummy time. Always supervise your baby during tummy time. View our Tummy Time Timeline.
Q: What should I do if my baby struggles with performing tummy time?
If your baby struggles with tummy time, consult your pediatrician or physical therapist for personalized advice and guidance. They can provide specific strategies to make tummy time enjoyable and beneficial for your baby. Tummy time can also be a great opportunity for you to bond with your baby. View our Tummy Time Tips.
Q: My baby’s body seems a bit too floppy or stiff; should I be concerned?
If you feel your baby is extremely flexible or extremely stiff and demonstrating developmental delays, it is best to follow up with your pediatrician.
Q: My baby’s head is flat on one side. What causes this, and do I need to be concerned?
Plagiocephaly, a condition where a baby’s head develops a flat spot, is a common and treatable condition. It can develop when a baby consistently sleeps in the same position due to a head-positioning preference, tight neck muscles called torticollis, womb positioning, or prematurity. If you notice your baby has developed flattening on one side of the head or has developed a head positioning preference, follow up with your pediatrician to determine a possible referral to physical therapy. What is Positional Plagiocephaly? What is Torticollis?
Q: Will an exersaucer help my baby learn to walk?
No, using an exersaucer will not help your baby walk any sooner. Equipment containers such as exersaucers do not promote gross motor development and may delay or cause atypical development, such as toe walking. Babies need opportunities to experience standing and cruising without the support of an exersaucer to develop balance reactions, muscle control, and coordination necessary to walk independently.
Q: My baby loves to bounce in his jumper; is it bad for him?
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, excessive use of equipment containers such as jumpers or swings can lead to delays in gross motor development and skills. Using baby jumpers often compromises core strength, coordination, and balance while encouraging asymmetrical movement patterns like tiptoe standing or toe walking. What toys are appropriate for my child?
Q: Do you provide helmets for babies with plagiocephaly, or a flattened skull?
Rady Children’s does not provide helmets, also called cranial orthoses. A physical therapist can assess your child’s condition and recommend whether a helmet evaluation with a local vendor is appropriate.
About Toddlers/Preschoolers
Q: My child is bow-legged or knock-kneed. Should I be concerned?
In the early stages of walking and standing (around 12 months), bow-leggedness is typical and usually corrects itself by age 2. Around age 3, knock knees may become more apparent and can progress until age 4-5. By age 7 the leg development will reach neutral leg alignment and development. As your child continues to gain strength and grows, most children will outgrow these concerns. Learn about Lower Extremity Development.
Q: Rather than playing outside, my 2-year-old prefers to watch videos or play games on the computer. Do I need to encourage my toddler to exercise?
Yes. Children need to experience different types of physical activities every day. Computers will be an important part of our child’s future, but research has shown that being physically active has many health benefits. Giving your child the opportunity to play outside will promote healthy growth and development of more complex motor skills. Learn about Screen Time | Learn about the Purpose of Play.
Q: Why is my younger child developing more slowly than my older child?
It’s common for children to develop at different paces. While older children may reach milestones earlier, younger children may have their own timeline. If you notice significant developmental delays, such as difficulty walking or crawling, consult your pediatrician for guidance or further evaluation.
Q: Are my child’s flat feet a problem?
For babies and toddlers, flat feet are a normal part of development and usually not a concern. Most children develop normal arches as they grow. However, if your child shows pain behaviors, such as limping or favoring one leg, or experiences delays in gross motor development, consult your pediatrician. Learn More about Pediatric Flat Feet.
Q: What are growing pains and should I be concerned?
Growing pains are common muscle aches that often occur in both legs, particularly in the calves, thighs, and behind the knees. While they are generally harmless, consult your pediatrician if the pain is persistent, localized, or accompanied by redness or tenderness.
Q: My child has been toe walking for over a year. Will my child “grow out” of toe walking?
If your child has been toe walking for several months to a year, it’s recommended to consult your pediatrician. They can assess your child’s development and determine if physical therapy is necessary to address the issue. Toe Walking FAQs.
Orthopedic Issues
Q: If my child gets injured, should I use ice or heat?
Within the first 72 hours after an injury or surgery, we recommend using ice to help with pain and inflammation.
Q: How long will my child need physical therapy?
Every patient has an individualized treatment plan tailored to their needs and goals. The duration of therapy depends on the severity of the injury, compliance with the home exercise program (HEP), and progress toward goals.
Q: Can the physical therapist issue me a note to excuse me from physical education (PE) class?
Physical therapists can provide a PE excuse note for short-term injuries if deemed necessary. For more serious injuries or long-term excusal, a doctor’s clearance may be required.
Q: When can my child return to playing sport?
Return to sport must be approved by your referring physician. Physical therapists provide detailed progress notes to assist with the decision.