What is physical therapy?

Physical therapy uses prescribed exercises and hands-on care to treat a range of injuries, disabilities, and other conditions that affect a child’s ability to learn and use the large muscles (arms, legs, and torso) in their body — otherwise known as gross motor skills. By working to improve gross motor skills, physical therapists can help decrease muscle pain and improve strength and range of movement through developmental activities like crawling or walking, adaptive play, water therapy, flexibility exercises, and more.

For more information, see our article Mapping the Journey from Birth to Kindergarten: Therapy Glossary.