Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) are a set of inflammatory diseases that effects children under the age of 16. Its cause is unknown, making it idiopathic in nature. However, it is believed that most cases are related to the immune system attacking healthy cells thereby creating...
We can all probably remember experiencing growing pains in our childhood. Growing pains are unfortunately a normal part of life. However, a lot of parents worry about if the pain their child is experiencing is growing pain or is it something else. Symptoms Pain experienced in...
What is Scoliosis? Scoliosis is the curving and turning of the spines in children and adolescents. It’s most common form is ‘idiopathic scoliosis’ which means we are not sure why it occurs. It is also common in children with neuromuscular disorders such as cerebral palsy. Congenital...
Hypermobility syndromes are a condition where a person’s joints are more flexible and have increased range of motion. It is a disorder of connective tissue caused by changes to the collagen makeup in ligaments. In some children this condition causes no issues, but for some...
Normal Walking/Gait As parents it is natural to worry about the way your children walk, particularly if something looks a bit quirky or you feel it is causing your child to have lots of falls. As your child begins to start walking there are lots of...
Plagiocephaly Plagiocephaly is a condition that impacts newborns through to babies approximately 8 months of age. It is sometimes known as flat head syndrome. Babies are born with softened heads; this means that if they spend too much time lying on one side of their head...
Coming into summer the days are getting hotter which means it's time for the pool and/or beach! Spending time in the water in crucial for children to develop water skills that will help keep them safe. Water play also assists children in developing muscle stretch,...
Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a condition that describes children who are delayed in meeting their developmental milestones. They are significantly uncoordinated and struggle to learn the skills required to perform everyday tasks. Often these children are described as ‘clumsy’. Generally, it impacts young boys...
What is Cerebral Palsy? Cerebral Palsy is a group of neurological disorders ranging from mild severity to severe severity that impacts children early in life resulting in movement disorders. Movement disorders can impact a child’s ability to participate in both gross and fine motor activities. Gross motor skills involve things such as walking, jumping...
Participation in sport is important in a child's overall development. It assists in acquiring gross motor skills such as running, jumping, hopping and throwing. It also helps with hand eye co-ordination with the greatest benefits from ball and racquet sports such as tennis, basketball, soccer and football. Children also benefit...