There are age restrictions on many things in life, like purchasing alcohol, qualifying for certain insurance benefits, and driving a car. You may think that physical therapy has an age limit, that the treatment only applies to athletes improving performance or recovering from an injury.
If you feel this way, and either your child or your parent seems to need physical therapy, you may not even investigate it as an option due to their age. But the truth is that regardless of age, physical therapy may be the best treatment available for their condition.
We know this because we treat patients of many different life stages at EW Motion Therapy. While we do consider a patient’s age and ability when developing a treatment plan, we never limit what anyone can do based on their age alone. When you or your loved one comes in for an evaluation, we can determine which of our programs is best for you. We understand that we cannot treat everyone, but we want to empower you to seek a place that will prioritize you and your goals.
This article will outline the primary benefits that children and seniors can gain from physical therapy, and you can decide whether physical therapy is the best treatment for your or your loved one’s condition. Just know that a great therapist will never underestimate a patient based on their age.
Wanting to try physical therapy for yourself? Click to download our 20 Physical Therapy Questions, Answered to learn more.
Can you be too young for physical therapy?
A doctor may prescribe physical therapy for a young child if he/she falls behind in certain developmental milestones that have to do with movement, or if they have an injury. Aspiring therapists must take pediatric classes as part of their doctorate curriculum, and a physical therapist can become specialized to treat children by taking an exam. After graduation, they can take continued education classes and work toward becoming a board-certified specialist.
Benefits of physical therapy for children
You may not often think of physical therapy as a treatment for children, but physical therapy can provide significant benefits to anyone under the age of 18.
- Help your children reach developmental milestones - Physical therapists can design plans that address strength, coordination, balance, motor control, and other neurodevelopmental issues when those deficits are present.
- Increases in youth athletic performance - As children participate in sports or physical education, a physical therapist is a great person to work with to improve speed, agility, and performance.
- More quickly rehab your child’s injuries - If your child falls out of bed and breaks their arm, a therapist is a great person to see to rehabilitate that injury and other traumas.
A parent always has the option to be in the treatment room during sessions, depending on the age and personality of the child, and it can be beneficial for all involved. Parents can provide more information to the therapist if needed and help the child with their home exercises. The therapist can work with both parent and child to develop a treatment plan that works best for their lifestyle.
If you are unsure whether your child or teenager needs physical therapy, you can ask your local physical therapy clinic of choice, your child’s pediatrician, or your teenager’s primary care physician for more information.
Can you be too old for physical therapy?
In most situations, you cannot be too old for physical therapy - here at EW, we have treated a number of patients who are 90+ years of age. Age is just a number, and you should never let it limit you or your loved one from pursuing a goal in life. Many physical therapy treatments work well for the older population. Because they specialize in movement, physical therapists are some of the best suited medical professionals to work with seniors who need to improve their mobility and maintain their independence.
Benefits of physical therapy for seniors
Physical therapy can help seniors in a myriad of ways, including working on balance, decreasing fall risk, providing pain relief from chronic symptoms, and building strength. Your therapist will tailor your treatment plan to reach your goals, whether you want to walk without your walker, go to an aerobics class with your friends, or play with your grandkids again.
In some cases, seniors can go through cognitive challenges as well as physical ones. If you are a caregiver reading this and want to make sure that your loved one receives the best treatment, ask if you can be in their session with them. By being part of your loved one’s care team, you can help to promote a successful outcome.
Many Medicare and other insurance plans cover physical therapy with a doctor’s referral. Feel free to read our insurance article for more information.
Is physical therapy right for me or my loved one?
Now you know some of the benefits that physical therapy can bring to the youngest and oldest clients. Age should not be a limiting factor in seeking medical care, especially in physical therapy.
One of the most common things that we hear from older clients or parents of children is “I don’t want to get hurt doing physical therapy” or “I don’t want my loved one to get hurt”. This fear is valid, but the goal of physical therapy is always to reduce pain, not to cause you more pain. Physical therapy is backed by science and learning how physical therapy works can give you the confidence to determine if physical therapy is right for you.
At EW Motion Therapy we never limit our patients based on their age, but instead, we tailor our treatment plans to their needs and goals. If you or your loved one are interested in physical therapy in the greater Birmingham area, read about whether we are right for you.
If you read that article and are interested in EW Motion Therapy’s treatments, fill out our Request an Appointment form to schedule an evaluation, and someone from our staff will contact you within 48 hours with your next steps.
