Full Circle Digital Magazine February 2014 | Page 28

H E A LT H • B A B Y

PHYSIOTHERAPY FOR TINY TOTS
by Chantel Nortje, Paediatric Physiotherapist

N

eurodevelopmental treatment, NDT, provides a
pathway to evaluate and treat the neurological and
developmental issues of babies and children with
movement problems.
NDT Physiotherapists have the skills to more accurately
identify subtle movement problems in babies that, if left
untreated, would develop into major problems. These
observational skills together with specific treatment and
facilitation techniques minimize and, in many cases,
eliminate the problems, and thus prevent the numerous
compensatory problems that subsequently occur in some
children. Physiotherapy is hard work, extremely active and
fun for both the child and therapist. Critical assessment,
problem solving and functional, goal-directed outcomes will
facilitate a way to enhance the function of tiny tots.
WHAT WE DO AND WHY WE DO IT!
Treating a baby is a joy and they are also fun to work
with! They are easy to hold and handle, and are generally
receptive to NDT treatment.
Treating a baby is an awesome responsibility - all events in
their world are brand new experiences for them. Therefore
how we handle the baby and structure it’s environment will
help shape the development because of the plasticity of
their developing systems.

28

FREE SUBSCRIPTION

CRY BABY
In the early months of life, all the sensory systems impose
incredible degrees of sensory stimulation on the baby. The
baby must learn how to regulate all of the incoming stimuli
in order to be in a calm and alert state to learn new skills.
Some babies will cry during therapy, but it’s important not
to “push through” the baby’s crying. It’s a far from perfected
skill, but keeping babies happy during therapy time and
making it a positive experience is so important. By learning
each individual baby’s subtle language and stress signals
and responding to them, the therapist communicates back
to the baby that the message has been understood - this is
the foundation for effective physiotherapy.
MOVE BABY, MOVE!
The baby’s body is vulnerable too, and incomplete in its
development. Typically, babies do not have full range
of movement of all of their joints and they activate and
lengthen their muscles in all directions of movement.
Babies with movement challenges struggle with this,
usually preferring certain positions and rarely alternate
between different positions. If they do not develop full
range of motion at the joints and do not lengthen their
muscles fully, they are at risk of developing deformities.
Baby treatment includes encouraging and guiding the
baby through a variety of goal-directed movements in

February 2014