Services
Pediatric Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is recommended for children who are not meeting their milestones or who are experiencing physical challenges due to a condition affecting their neuromuscular or musculoskeletal systems.
Select a condition below to learn more about how pediatric physical therapy can help your child move with greater confidence, improve functional abilities, and reach their goals.
Conditions We Treat
We also treat:
Specialized Therapy
Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI) Therapy
What is Dynamic Movement Intervention?
DMI is a therapeutic technique used by physical therapists to treat children with gross motor impairments by improving and/or provoking the desired action with great emphasis on alignment, sensory integration, and function. The goal is to promote progress toward developmental milestones.
Who is Dynamic Movement Intervention For?
Regardless of the level of cognition and extent of neurological deficit or damage, affected children benefit from DMI motor intervention as it pertains to stimulating neuroplasticity in the developing brain.
Children diagnosed with any type of motor delay, including conditions such as Down Syndrome, Cerebral palsy, global developmental delay, hypotonia, chromosomal abnormalities/genetic disorders, spinal cord lesions, or acquired brain injury, may benefit from this form of therapy. Children at risk, such as those who are born prematurely, can also benefit from this therapy due to the strong neuroplastic changes that this treatment stimulates within the developing brain.
What happens during Dynamic Movement Intervention?
After a brief assessment, the therapist will identify areas of potential growth, which will guide treatment. The therapist will manipulate the child to encourage novel movements in a more typical pattern. Exercises are repeated until these movements become automatic, which results in improved balance and function. Exercises are conducted on a tabletop or the floor based on the child's abilities. Exercises involve movement against gravity, progressively more challenging support, provocation of desired movements, postural and strength challenges.
DMI Focuses On:
Gross Motor Skills
Improving gross motor skills of children at least three months old.
Gradual Progression
Continuously increasing the challenge to encourage the child to respond with greater independence.
Alignment and Range of Motion
All exercises focus on optimal alignment and range of motion via functional movements.
Balance
Improving postural control is a common thread through most DMI exercises.
Ready to Get Started?
We're here to answer your questions and help your child take the next step toward greater confidence, mobility, and independence. Contact us today to learn more or schedule an initial evaluation.