Our pediatric physical therapists specialize in orthopedic manual therapy, a type of hands-on therapy to relieve pain and improve movement. At Children’s Health℠, our physical therapy team has years of experience treating conditions and injuries that affect a child’s muscles, bones, joints and connective tissues. Our goal is to help your child feel better and move better so they can be as active and healthy as possible.
Overview
What is Pediatric Orthopedic Manual Therapy (OMT)?
Orthopedic manual therapy (OMT) is a system of hands-on techniques ranging from gentle pressure and stretching to quick, firm movements. Using OMT, our pediatric physical therapists move and manipulate your child’s muscles and joints to help their muscles relax and help their joints move more freely.
OMT is a noninvasive, medication-free treatment that our pediatric physical therapists can do in our clinic offices around the Dallas area. OMT helps improve body alignment and positioning, which can treat muscle spasms, strains, sprains, neck and back pain and other issues. OMT can be part of your child’s overall treatment plan, which includes physical therapy and at-home exercises for strengthening and stretching.
Types
What are the different types of Pediatric Orthopedic Manual Therapy (OMT)?
Pediatric physical therapists at Children’s Health provide two types of OMT.
Joint mobilization
This technique involves steady pressure with long, slow movements, or short, rhythmic movements back and forth. These movements help stretch joints to improve pain and range of motion.
Manipulation
This technique uses quick, firm movements, similar to the movements that chiropractors use. Manipulation can treat sudden (acute) symptoms, usually along the spine, such as neck and back pain.
Benefits
What are the benefits of Pediatric Orthopedic Manual Therapy (OMT)?
Orthopedic manual therapy is a nonsurgical treatment that can help your child move more freely and without pain. OMT can:
Relax tight muscles
Relieve joint stiffness
Improve range of motion
Improve blood flow to muscles and joints to promote healing
Our experienced physical therapists use OMT to treat many acute injuries and chronic (long-term) conditions that affect the muscles and joints. Our patients are typically teens and young adults who need treatment for:
Side Effects
What are the side effects of Pediatric Orthopedic Manual Therapy (OMT)?
During treatment, OMT is painless and even comfortable. Some children may have soreness for a day or two after treatment.
Risks
What are the risks of Pediatric Orthopedic Manual Therapy (OMT)?
Orthopedic manual therapy is a safe, effective treatment option for teens and young adults who have pain and other symptoms in muscles and joints.
What to Expect
What to expect with Pediatric Orthopedic Manual Therapy (OMT)
At Children’s Health, our pediatric physical therapists have specialized training to diagnose and treat all types of muscle and bone (musculoskeletal) conditions and injuries. We have extensive knowledge of movement, strength and motor development in children’s growing bodies to provide expert care for your child.
What to expect before Pediatric Orthopedic Manual Therapy (OMT)
Your child will need a referral from their primary care provider for physical therapy, but the referral doesn’t have to specify OMT for their treatment. Generally, your child won’t need to have any tests before they start OMT, and they won’t need to do anything specific to prepare.
We recommend that your child wear or bring comfortable clothes to their sessions. If the treatment area is a hip or knee, we recommend that they wear or bring shorts.
What to expect during Pediatric Orthopedic Manual Therapy (OMT)
At your child’s first appointment, we begin with an evaluation to check their posture and test their range of motion and strength in the affected area. We’ll ask your child where they’re feeling pain to decide which techniques may be best for them.
We typically start treatment during the first visit and begin by having them sit or lie on the treatment table in a relaxed position. Depending on their symptoms, they may need manipulation, joint mobilization or both techniques. The experience is generally comfortable and painless. Some people describe it as similar to a chiropractor visit.
Sessions last about one hour, and children typically need one to two sessions per week, for a total of four to 12 sessions.
What to expect after Pediatric Orthopedic Manual Therapy (OMT)
After each session, your child should be able to move better and have less discomfort or pain. In rare cases, your child may have some minor soreness after a session. We’ll provide a program of exercises for your child to do at home, including stretching, strengthening and positioning.
How to Prepare
What questions should I ask my provider about Pediatric Orthopedic Manual Therapy (OMT)?
If your child’s primary care provider has recommended OMT for your child, you may want to ask them and the physical therapist these questions:
Are there other treatment options for my child?
Does my child need to stop taking any medications before having OMT?
Will my child go home with any special instructions after OMT?
Doctors and Providers
Our pediatric physical therapists have specialized training and experience in the care of children, teens and young adults. We’re skilled in the techniques of OMT, and several of our therapists are certified in orthopedics and pediatric physical therapy.