Physical Therapy
Physical therapy (PT) helps infants and children become independent in their play and reach physical milestones such as rolling over, sitting, standing, walking, running, or reaching. It also helps children who have been injured or who have movement problems from an illness, disease, or disability to improve movement, decrease pain, and return to daily activities.
We treat children from birth to age 18. Our therapists give children the confidence to interact with peers and play with their friends. The result is confident children and adolescents who are motivated and determined to lead promising lives.
The ProActive Difference
ProActive’s physical therapist, Suzie Johannes, uses a multisystems approach to make sure she is targeting the right body system to utilize the most effective treatment methods. She believes that infants and children learn best through play, so she focuses on having fun in her sessions!
Suzie truly listens to your family’s priorities, and meets you where you are at. She believes that when she asks parents to work on activities outside of therapy it should fit into lifestyle, be enjoyable, and be easy to implement. Plus, she provides you with the tools and education you need to best support your child when therapy is not in session.
Suzie has taken extensive courses in infant and baby assessment/treatment, and she is dedicated to staying current with new research and treatment ideas. Her knowledge base for infant treatment is among the highest in the Cedar Rapids area.
Can Physical Therapy (PT) help my child?
Children who could benefit from our PT services may display some of the following:
Is not reaching developmental milestones
Walks on toes frequently
Slaps feet when walking
Has difficulty maintaining posture
Is clumsy
Is unable to sit still
Has weak muscles
Is unable to ride a bike
Has poor balance
Has poor coordinationIs unaware of safety precautions
Is unable to keep up with peers
Holds head tilted to the same side most of the time
Has difficulty holding head up
Dislikes being on tummy
Has flattened head on one side or the other
Has trouble holding the bottle
Is unable to hold body up while held on adult’s hip
Does not crawl forward while on tummy
Prefers to creep with one leg up and the other down
Does not kick legs equally
Rolls in one direction or is not rolling
Has stiff arms and/or legs
Our pediatric physical therapy programs can provide significant benefits for:
Hypotonia
Torticollis
Toe walking
Gross motor skill deficits
Limitations of range of motion and strength
Balance and coordination difficulties
Assessment for orthotics and equipment
…And much more!
Infants born prematurely
Genetic syndromes (Down syndrome, muscular dystrophy)
Cerebral palsy
Spina Bifida
Brain trauma/injuries
Developmental delays
Autism spectrum disorders