Many doctors will recommend physical therapy for children who have sustained an injury or have movement issues because of illness, disability or disease. Physical therapists work with children to help them regain strength, improve range of motion, relieve pain, perform daily tasks and prevent the re-occurrence of an injury. Physical therapists try to make therapy an enjoyable event for kids by incorporating equipment that can make therapy seem more like playtime than actual work.
Therapy Balls
A therapy ball can be used in multiple ways to help a child in physical therapy. Therapy balls come in a wide variety of colors and sizes. They are made of a lightweight, rubber material that bounces easily. A physical therapist may ask children to throw, catch or kick a small ball to improve their motor skills. Larger therapy balls may be used for children to bounce or balance on.
Wobble Boards
Wobble boards -- also known as balance boards -- can help children regain their ability to balance after an injury. They also children with disabilities improve their balancing abilities. A wobble board is a thick, rubber disk that has a ball-like attachment underneath it. The idea is for child to stand on the board to find her balance so it does not wobble.
Incline Mats
Incline therapy mats look much like gymnastic mats used to teach beginners how to tumble. They are foam mats covered in a durable material. The wedge shape can be used to teach children how to walk up and down hills. They can also be used as a positioning tool when children are performing exercises that require them to be seated.
Resistance Bands
In a physical therapist's office, resistance bands may commonly be referred to as dynabands or therabands. These bands can be used to help children regain strength after an injury or rebuild strength lost to an illness or disabling medical condition. Resistance bands come in a variety of colors and levels of tension. To a child, resistance bands look like giant rubber bands. Resistance bands can be used to rehabilitate just about any portion of the body, although they are commonly used for upper and lower extremities in children.
