The carefree years of our childhood may be long past for many of us – however, some will look back on their younger years with nostalgia and possibly some yearning for the fitness and health that was taken for granted in their youth. Many people will have enjoyed (or endured) school sports, something which may not have continued into adult life. We might think that today’s children spend far more time looking at screens than we did in our childhood – however, little has changed for those who take part in team sports, and many children continue to push the boundaries of their physical capabilities as they strive for success.
Early intervention to prevent long-term damage
Puberty in girls can start as young as eight years old, although this change normally begins around the age of 10. Changes in body shape and intermittent growth spurts will continue into the late teens. Boys often start growing around 10 with significant growth often seen around the age of 14. Physiotherapists commonly treat knee and ankle pains attributed to these growth spurts. Early acknowledgment, intervention and treatment not only prevents long term damage, but can also limit time off sport or participating in activities off the sports field, such as mowing the lawn for their grandparents, or completing their silver Duke of Edinburgh hiking expedition – which can help maintain both physical and mental health.
It is important to understand that the incredible ability of a child’s body to adapt and flex to physical situations can create an unstable joint and make it more vulnerable to injury through problems such as dislocation. Such injuries as these may historically have been associated with the rugby pitch; however, with the explosion of more diverse sporting venues, such as trampoline parks, these injuries are now being reported in the wider child/teen population. The role of the physiotherapist is to work closely with each child, making sure they manage growth spurts as best they can, maintain strength without limiting movement and educating the individual regarding posture when studying, which can give an additional benefit of increased concentration on both the playing field and classroom.
At Life Made Simple Physiotherapy, we believe that treatment for children and teenagers can be very valuable in assisting injuries to heal quickly and in helping to prevent further issues. We aim to support children, and parents, in their quest to become the best sportsperson they can be, whilst trying to minimise the risk of arthritis, or persistent pain later in life. We are happy to treat children aged 9 and above – younger children should be assessed and treated by a paediatric physiotherapist, who will have specialist skills and expert knowledge of child development and childhood conditions.
Within our physiotherapy care processes, we can also offer where appropriate acupuncture to help the body in its repair and development.
Is there a minimum or maximum age limit for people receiving acupuncture?
There are no age restrictions on acupuncture treatment. The only limiting factors are the informed consent necessary for treatment and the relatively small number of clinical circumstances where treatment is contra-indicated or inadvisable.
At the younger end of the scale, children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to receive acupuncture treatment, and consent for treatment is provided by the parent.
How might physiotherapy and acupuncture help my child or teenager?
The benefits of a programme of physiotherapy and acupuncture for a young person are similar to those that adults will experience, although the conditions or injuries treated may well be quite different. The primary aim of acupuncture is to reduce an individual’s pain, and alongside this we have observed other benefits in the teenagers we have treated, such as improved sleep and reduced anxiety.
Contact Us
We look forward to helping you and your family members with your physiotherapy needs, tailored to your personal circumstances, into the future. If you are interested in our services feel free to call us on 07309 272 555 or email physio@lifemadesimple.co.uk. Life Made Simple - expert physiotherapy in Guildford and Surrey.