NHS Forth Valley – Children’s Physiotherapy

Children’s Physiotherapy

Children under the age of 16 years can now see a Children’s Physiotherapist without having to see their GP or Health Visitor first. A parent or legal guardian with parental responsibilities can fill in the request for assistance form below.

Physiotherapy can be particularly helpful if you have concerns regarding your child’s movement or physical development. Also physiotherapy is helpful for a number of musculoskeletal problems like low back pain, neck pain, recent injuries such as strains and sprains, or joint and muscular pain. It is important you give us as much information about your concerns and how it is affecting your child. Physiotherapy is beneficial for children who present with any condition which impairs their physical development and therefore functional potential.

How Do I Get Physiotherapy Help?

Fill in the Children’s Physiotherapy Request for Assistance Form and return it to:

Children’s Physiotherapy Service
AHP Office, Admin Area 4
Stirling Health & Care Village
Livilands Gate
Stirling
FK8 2AU

Phone: 01786 454684

Paediatric Physiotherapy Advice line

Aim – To provide a telephone advice line for concerns regarding the development of gross motor skills and gait pattern in children under the age of 5 years in Forth Valley.

Do you have concerns regarding your child’s development , Do you have questions regarding the child’s developmental milestones , Do you have concerns regarding your child’s walking.

Who is it for: Parents, Carers, health professionals (eg health visitors, GPs, nurses, other AHPs), nursery staff, education staff, social work staff.

Please contact the advice line to speak with a physiotherapist. This advice line is for parents/carers, health professionals and education staff to call for advice regarding a child they have concerns about.

Phone: 07815646588
Every Wednesday 2-4 pm

Useful Links & Resources

APCP Leaflets	The Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists has leaflets for parents on a range of conditions commonly referred to paediatric physiotherapists.
NHS Inform	Provides health information you can trust. There is a musculoskeletal zone which provides advice and videos for all common musculoskeletal problems.
Patient Information Leaflets	NHS Forth Valley patient information leaflets for Physiotherapy patients

Completes the Form, What’s Next?

A Children’s Physiotherapist will process your form. We will then contact you to discuss the best course of action for your child. This may be to offer some advice, to make plans for an appointment or to signpost your child to another service based on the information you have supplied. Depending on the nature of your child’s condition they may be placed on a waiting list. If you have any concerns or their condition worsens you should make an appointment with your GP.

Painkillers

Over the counter painkillers can be helpful.
A pharmacist will be able to advise you on the appropriate medication. If symptoms worsen you may need to see your child’s GP.

Hot or Cold?

You can put ice on a recent sprain/ strain. Use a pack of frozen peas wrapped in a damp towel for 10 minutes.
Older injuries may respond better to heat and using a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel for 10 minutes reduces pain. Be aware that both hot and cold treatments can burn and that you need to check (every 5 minutes) that skin is not becoming very red or blotchy. If this happens, stop.

For further self-help information, you may find the following website helpful: www.nhsinform.scot

Child Developmental Milestones ( 0 – 5 years )

Not all children develop at the same rate and the following information provides general guidance only. Do not be concerned if your child is not meeting all the milestones for their age range. It is perfectly normal for one area to develop quicker than another. If however your child is not meeting any of the milestones for their age range or the age range below it is worth having a discussion with your Health Visitor for further advice.

Please see this link for information and advice on normal developmental milestones and activities to help promote and encourage them.

Further useful resources can be found and downloaded using the following link. Use the filters to enable you to find the most appropriate resource for your needs.

Providing your child with regular opportunities to be physically active from birth will help them to develop strong bones and muscles, good balance skills and to maintain a healthy weight.

Scottish Government physical activity – Guidelines links

Under 5s – The Scottish Government’s current guidelines suggest that children under 5, who are not yet walking, should minimise the time they spend sitting still. Follow this link for recommended activities.

Children under 5, who are able to walk, should be physically active for at least 180 minutes, spread throughout each day. Follow this link for recommended activities.

Children aged 5-18 should be physically active for at least 60 minutes each day and should participate in more vigorous activity on 3 days per week. Follow this link for recommended activities.

Motor Skills Therapy Service

Motor Skills Therapy Service (MSTS). This is a joint Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy service specially designed to work with children who are experiencing motor co-ordination difficulties.

Please follow this link for further information on the service and resources for promoting and developing fine and gross motor skills.

Exercise & Activity Information during Covid 19 Pandemic

We hope that you are all doing well during this challenging time.

A few families have been asking for some ideas of how to keep individuals active during this difficult period where normal activities are not running, so here are a few ideas.

Cosmic Kids – Free online kids yoga which uses story-telling to engage younger children
NHS Fitness Studio – Free online resources for all levels of fitness. Includes different sections on aerobic exercise, strength and resistance, pilates and yoga, and some other fitness programmes.
P.E with Joe Wicks – Free daily P.E ‘class’ for children led by Joe Wicks via his YouTube channel. His channel also has different home workouts to cater for all levels of fitness