Physiotherapy at Centre of Movement utilises a holistic approach aimed at developing a child’s movement ability through imaginative play, functional movement training and facilitation of developmental milestones
Our passion is to watch children attain increasing levels of function and we are committed to helping children reach their full potential. Early intervention and increased physical function in childhood has been linked to increased quality of life and greater independence throughout the lifespan.
Movement offers children opportunities to explore their bodies and the world around them. Our paediatric physiotherapists in Christchurch and Rotorua work with children across different ages and stages of development, from babies developing their early motor milestones through to older children and adolescents working on strength, balance, coordination, mobility and independence.
At Centre of Movement, we use play, interaction, and engagement to explore your child’s ability and patterns of movement and implement developmental programs that empower parents and caregivers to support their child’s development and movement goals. We also provide physiotherapy for children with neurological or genetic conditions that affect movement and physical function.
Common developmental concerns include:
- Reduced tolerance for tummy time
- Delayed rolling, sitting, crawling, or walking
- Use of different movement patterns such as bottom shuffling, ‘W’ sitting or toe walking
- Clumsiness or frequent falls
- Children having difficulty with jumping, hopping, throwing, and catching
Common musculoskeletal conditions include:
- A head preference (head turned more to the right or left)
- Head shape changes (plagiocephaly, brachycephaly and scaphocephaly)
- Tight neck muscles (torticollis)
- Positional foot concerns (positional talipes and metatarsus adductus)
- Low muscle tone
- Hypermobility
- Hip dysplasia
- Sever’s disease (calcaneal apophysitis)
- Osgood-Schlatter disease
- Scoliosis and postural concerns
Physiotherapy can assess a child’s current functional capacity, identify limitations that may be addressed and provide individualised treatment to help improve movement and physical function. Treatment may include manual therapy, motor control and postural training, functional exercises, assistance with equipment, and education for children, parents and caregivers.
Benefits of Paediatric Physiotherapy
Paediatric physiotherapy can support your child’s movement, physical development and independence in three key areas:
Helping with posture and body control
Improving balance, coordination and body awareness to help children move more safely and confidently.
Building strength and movement skills
Developing strength, endurance and walking skills to support everyday movement and participation.
Preventing future problems
Helping maintain joint and muscle flexibility, supporting healthy bone and spine development, and managing movement-related pain or discomfort.
Physiotherapy
FAQ’s
What conditions can paediatric physiotherapy help with?
Paediatric physiotherapy can support children with a wide range of developmental, neurological and musculoskeletal conditions and concerns. This may include cerebral palsy, developmental delay, low muscle tone, hypermobility, torticollis, hip dysplasia, Sever’s disease, Osgood-Schlatter disease, scoliosis and postural concerns. Treatment is tailored to your child’s individual needs, abilities and goals.
Do you offer pre- and post-operative physiotherapy for children?
Yes. Centre of Movement provides pre- and post-operative physiotherapy for children. Physiotherapy can help prepare your child for surgery where appropriate and support their rehabilitation afterwards, with a focus on restoring movement, strength, mobility and functional independence.
Are your physiotherapists ACC registered?
Our team includes ACC-registered practitioners. This means eligible children may be able to access physiotherapy support through ACC, depending on their circumstances and eligibility.
When should my child see a paediatric physiotherapist?
You may consider seeing a paediatric physiotherapist if you have concerns about your child’s movement, physical development, posture, strength, coordination or mobility, or if they are experiencing a musculoskeletal issue or recovering from surgery. Physiotherapy may also be appropriate for children with neurological, genetic or musculoskeletal conditions that affect their movement and physical function. Our physiotherapists can assess your child and recommend appropriate next steps.
What makes physiotherapy at Centre of Movement different?
At Centre of Movement, our paediatric physiotherapy is centred around play, interaction and meaningful movement. Our Christchurch and Rotorua teams work with tamariki and their whānau to create individualised programs that support each child’s movement, development and functional independence.