Physical Therapy

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Physical therapy

When a child needs help mastering movement or developmental skills, families turn to physical therapy services at Mary Bridge Children’s for personalized care.

Make an appointment:

253-697-5200

Our highly experienced pediatric physical therapists use play and exercise to improve strength, coordination, balance and range of motion in children from birth up to 18 years of age. We work with each child to reach his or her highest level of participation and functional independence at home, at school and in the community.

Our services

Our physical therapy team provides evaluations, treatment planning, individual therapy sessions and parent education. We work in tandem with our other specialty teams to provide optimal care and a comprehensive treatment plan. Physical therapists collaborate and coordinate with other providers to develop a therapy schedule that meets the unique needs of each patient and their family.

We collaborate with primary care providers, specialists, schools, community agencies and other providers to ensure the best outcomes for each child and family. Our services include:

Aquatic therapy
Gait analysis
Equipment needs/wheelchair evaluations
Neurodevelopmental therapy
Orthotic casting and management
Spasticity management
Sports injury treatment
Consultations with Mary Bridge Children’s clinics and programs, including newborn care.

Aquatic therapy

Using the therapeutic value of warm water combined with experienced therapists, aquatic therapy offers individual treatment designed to address a child’s specific needs by focusing on motor control, strength and flexibility. Aquatic therapy is available at our Puyallup location.

Equipment consultations

The Mary Bridge Children’s physical therapy team provides assessment and consultation for pediatric equipment needs. Our goal is to support your child’s independence and participation in family, school and community activities. We provide guidance on the use of power and manual wheelchairs as well as home devices such bath chairs and walkers. We also share information about where to find medical equipment.

Spasticity management

Mary Bridge Children’s physical therapists collaborate with our Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation doctors to help children experiencing spasticity — a tightness in muscles that hampers movement. Robert Cooper, MD, a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist, discusses spasticity and various treatment options in the video below.

Conditions treated

Our physical therapists serve children with a variety of diagnoses, including but not limited to:

Developmental delays and coordination disorders
Genetic disorders, such as muscular dystrophy or Down syndrome
Neuromuscular disorders, such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida or brain injuries
Orthopedic disorders, such as torticollis, plagiocephaly or brachial plexus injuries
Recovery from traumatic injuries, sports injuries or surgeries