Children's Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession that promotes the health and wellbeing of service users.  Physiotherapists are responsible for the assessment and physical management of problems caused by accidents, injury, ageing, disease or disability.   

Paediatric Physiotherapy is the treatment and care of babies, children and young people from birth to 16 years.  Our physiotherapists bring their specialist skills as physiotherapist and also have additional expert knowledge and experience of childhood developmental and disabilities.  The majority of paediatric physoitherapists work in the NHS and your GP can advise you about services local to you and make a referral.  Our service works across 3 areas in County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust and we run clinics county wide in Chester-le-Street Community Hospital, Darlington Memorial Hospital, Bishop Auckland Hospital and Stanley Primary Care Centre.  The service operates with an open referral system so if you would like to refer your child or a child under your care into the service please follow the link.

Conditions treated:

A wide range of clinical practice and conditions are covered by Paediatric Physiotherapy and some are similar to those in adults although there are some circumstances where conditions are more specific to children.  

• ·         Neuromuscular disorders, e.g. muscular dystrophy
• ·         Acute injuries e.g. fractures, sports injuries
• ·         Neurological conditions e.g. cerebral palsy, head injury
• ·         Respiratory conditions e.g. asthma, cystic fibrosis
• ·         Rheumatological conditions e.g. juvenile idiopathic arthritis
• ·         Congenital syndromes and metabolic diseases
• ·         Developmental delay
• ·         Conditions where mobility is affected