At VIVA Physio Santé, we offer pediatric physiotherapy services to families in the South Shore region of Montreal. Our clinic is dedicated to helping children reach their developmental milestones, from infancy through adolescence. Whether your child has a physical disability or simply needs help to become stronger and more mobile, we can provide the care and support they need to thrive. Our expert has years of experience in pediatric physiotherapy and she aspires to help children feel better.
Pediatric physiotherapy takes care of babies from 0 to 24 months old as well as children aged from 2 to 5 years old who demonstrate motor development disorders. The physiotherapist specializing in pediatrics can greatly help parents by giving them specific advice and exercises through play, in order to ensure the good and harmonious growth of the child.
Conditions treated in pediatric physiotherapy:
Global Motor Development Delay
Does the child raise his head easily when lying on his stomach? (normal age 2-3 months)
Is the child able to roll back to stomach? (normal age 5 to 6 months)
Can the child sit up alone? (normal age 6 to 8 months)
Is the child able to crawl on the stomach alternately? (normal age 7 to 10 months)
Is the child able to pull himself upright with support on a piece of furniture? (normal age 8 to 9 months)
Is the child able to crawl? (normal age 9 to 14 months)
Is the child able to walk 2 to 3 steps alone? (normal age 12 to 14 months)
Walk
Has your child started walking? (normal age 15 months)
Does your child tend to walk on tiptoe, inward or outward?
If he still has not achieved these developmental goals, a physiotherapy evaluation would be suggested.
Congenital Torticollis
Does the child have a preference for turning the head to one side?
Is the birth weight over 8.8lb (400-g)?
Was the height at birth greater than 51.3cm (20.19in)?
Did you have a difficult delivery (long labour/pushing, forceps/vacuum)?
Plagiocephaly or Facial Asymmetry
Does the child have a flat head?
Muscle Tone Disorder
Does your child lack muscle tone (hypotonia) or on the contrary (hypertonia)?
Does your child tend to sit in a “W” shape?
Orthopedic problems, fractures (sprain, post-fracture, post-surgery, patellofemoral syndrome, etc.)
If the child has any of these symptoms:
It would be best to consult our expert pediatric physiotherapist as soon as possible in order to evaluate him and obtain some specific advice in order to promote his good motor development. Stretching, positioning and other exercises in the form of a game will be demonstrated to you in order to avoid an asymmetry which could harm the stages of its development.
How does a pediatric physiotherapy session take place?
The first pediatric session in our clinic lasts one hour. The physiotherapist will assess the child's motor skills. She will analyze their posture, muscle tone, strength, flexibility, range of motion, level of motor development, deformities and functional abilities (to move, stand, play, etc.).
Following her observations, the physiotherapist will explain the results of her assessment and teach you some exercises to do at home with your child in order to improve his condition. These personalized exercises are adapted to the child's play environment and the physiotherapist can advise you on the toys and equipment to favor for his normal development.
The participation of parents during treatment as well as at home is essential to the development of the child, in order to offer him a better quality of life in the long term.
At the end of this first session, the physiotherapist will be able to estimate the number of future meetings to treat the child's condition. During these future appointments, she will be able to watch the evolution of the child's condition thanks to these exercises and update them. By observing how the physiotherapist works with your child, you can pick up some tips for when you are home.
Finally, she will follow up with your attending physician. If necessary, if they deem it relevant, they can collaborate with other health professionals (occupational therapist, osteopath or others), always with the aim of helping your child regain his full potential.
For additional information or to make an appointment, it is with pleasure that our physiotherapist, expert in pediatrics, will be able to help you. It is our goal to contribute to the well-being of your child and yours.