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Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy a physical treatment that helps to restore movement and function when someone is affected by injury, illness or disability by using therapeutic therapy, movement or exercises. At the Kids Feeding Team we have experienced physiotherapists that carry out physiotherapy for children with a range of feeding problems. Our physiotherapists aim to promote mobility, function and quality of life for all children. Physiotherapy is an evidence based profession which takes a whole child approach to the workings of the body and the activities children participate in.

What role does a physiotherapist play in a multidisciplinary feeding clinic service?

Our physiotherapists will assess your child's muscle groups and neurological skills during feeding and report this back to the dietitian to provide a multidisciplinary and holistic treatment plan to promote optimum nutrition and self-feeding. Within our feeding clinic, physiotherapy plays a supporting role alongside the dietitian and any other healthcare professionals required for the needs of your child, such as speech and language or occupational therapists. Our physiotherapist will assess any physical problems your child is having, in relation to feeding, and get the best out of your child, thereby encouraging independence.

Meet Niamh...

Niamh is our committed Specialist Paediatric Dietitian who has experience in both the NHS and private sectors. She understands the complex needs of each individual child and their family to provide patient centred care which is results-focused, evidence based and personable.

When would a child benefit from seeing the kids feeding team physiotherapist?

If your child is showing any signs of physical problems, struggles, discomfort or frustration that is causing a barrier to them being fed or feeding themselves, our physiotherapists can help. During your child's initial assessment with our paediatric dietitian they will inform you if a physiotherapist assessment would be beneficial. The following problems may signal your child needs to see our physiotherapist:

If you are unsure if your child would benefit from physiotherapy input please, contact us.

Keon and jade playing with food

How does a physiotherapist help children with nutritional or eating issues?

Feeding is a developmental process which happens in a chronological order. If your child misses or delays a stage, it could compromise their development and independence. With ongoing support from our physiotherapists they can assess the needs of your child and promote independence with feeding. Our physiotherapists will assess the child's ability to self-feed in a manner which is safe and optimises their nutritional intake, improving their health status. Physiotherapy can help improve the following:

  • Strength in core muscles in the stomach, back, pelvis and trunk
  • Co-ordination of the movement of the shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand so that a child can feed themselves more efficiently
  • Breathing
  • Balance
  • Head control
  • Posture
  • Reaching and grasping

If your child is experiencing one or more of these problems with their eating, contact us at Kids Feeding Team to see how we can help.

What are the common conditions physiotherapy may be involved in within our feeding clinic service?

There are many conditions that our physiotherapists are experienced in and can help with, these include:

  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Down Syndrome
  • Other neuro disabilities
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Developmental delay
  • Hemiplegia

Physiotherapy can help anyone who's feeding is affected due to their muscle, neuro skills and posture. If you would like to know if physiotherapy would be suitable for your child please contact us.

Kara being measured by Saffron

What does a physiotherapy assessment involve?

The first step of the process is to assess the child. The assessment will be fun, but will look to identify the physical problem and what is causing it. Once this has been identified, the physiotherapist will include the parent or guardian in the decision making progress. Together, they will formulate the best treatment plan that is in the best interest of the child to encourage feeding development, alongside the dietitian and other members of the multidisciplinary team. Our multidisciplinary assessment will help empower you and your child to improve their feeding capabilities, nutritional status and weight status.

Summary

Feeding is a complicated process which requires strength, posture and many different muscles. Physiotherapy has a major role within our multidisciplinary feeding team to help retrain these muscles so your child can safely feed and live the independent life you want for them. If you think your child could benefit from our feeding clinic, please contact us.

Make a referral

To refer a child to our services this can be done online, or by calling 0161 820 8262 or emailing office@kids feedingteam.co.uk

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