Are you a new parent of a special needs child in need of physical therapy? We explain five of the most common physical therapy myths to put your mind at ease.

What is Physical Therapy?

Physical therapy focuses on helping children improve their motor skills, such as running or walking. Physical therapists also work on strengthening the muscles and improving flexibility. The benefits of physical therapy extend beyond the physical realm. It can also help improve cognitive functioning, social skills, and emotional well-being. If you think your child may benefit from physical therapy, please reach out to us.

MYTH: Any healthcare professional can perform physical therapy on my child.

Physical therapy can only be performed by a licensed professional that has experience and a physical therapy degree. Therefore, not any healthcare professional can perform physical therapy. 

MYTH: Physical therapy is expensive.

If you have Medicaid for your child, the therapy services at Tender Care are FREE!

MYTH: Physical therapy will hurt my child.

Treatment may be uncomfortable at times but physical therapy is not supposed to make your child’s pain worse. If something is bothering your child, the physical therapist should adjust the plan of care accordingly. 

MYTH: My child has to be hurt to do physical therapy.

Your child does not need to be hurt to do physical therapy. At Tender Care, our pediatric therapists utilize treatment techniques that have been clinically proven in increasing gross and fine motor skills, the development of core stability, and lower extremity function in children. Physical Therapy can help your child when they are hurt but it can also help them progress and develop. 

MYTH: I don’t need to put my child in physical therapy if I do it with them at home.

It is good that you do physical therapy with your child at home, but you should bring them to a professional that would be able to make a treatment plan for them. Physical therapists have the most updated skills and evidence to ensure improvement during sessions. There can be activities the child can do at home, but meeting with a certified therapist will ensure progress.  

Physical Therapy at Tender Care PPEC

Tender Care’s pediatric physical therapy team provides evaluation and treatment to children with a wide variety of diagnoses. Our therapists utilize treatment techniques that have been clinically proven in increasing fine motor skills, the development of core stability, and lower extremity function in children. 

Treatment techniques consist of

• Developmental training
• Home exercise programs designed for the individual patient
• Incorporation of state-of-the-art treatment and adaptive equipment

Our physical therapy program emphasizes the rehabilitation of the patient with a focus on the development of the child as a whole and on increasing a child’s lifelong potential.

Why should my child go to Tender Care PPEC?

Tender Care PPEC provides care for medically complex and fragile children from birth to 21 years of age in a daycare-like environment staffed with nurses, CNAs, and therapists. We are the first independently owned PPEC in the State of Florida with our initial center opening in 1988. This means we have an abundance of experience and knowledge in providing loving care to this special pediatric population. We have 6 Tender Care PPEC centers throughout Florida, with our newest facility located in Lake Park.

Our goal is to enhance the development of each child through collaborative relationships between families, physicians, nurses, and therapists. This holistic approach to care is carried out in an environment that allows the child to engage in social interactions with their peers. This results in thriving children, well-positioned to achieve their greatest potential. We also offer transportation at no cost and provide nutritious meals throughout the day. 

What sets us apart is that we care for and treat every child like family. We have passion in our hearts for our children and a desire to see them succeed.

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