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
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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.