What is Physiotherapy?
- Physiotherapy helps children to improve their gross motor skills so that they move better, interact with their environment and have meaningful participation in life.
- Physiotherapists are experts in movement analysis! Breaking down how each section of the body is moving during a task is key to identifying areas for improvement to make movement as smooth and effortless as can be.
- The scope of a Physiotherapist includes working with infants, children who have disabilities, children who are neurodivergent or children who have an orthopaedic condition.
We can support children with
Gross Motor Delay
- Physiotherapy can help to improve gross motor skills by assessing and identifying the factors that are impacting the gross motor movement.
- This is achieved through use of standardised assessment tools, clinical observation, balance and strength testing.
- Physiotherapy programs work to address any findings using strength training, postural control and task specific training.
Physical Disability
- Physiotherapists are key therapists involved in the ongoing care and management of physical disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy or Muscular Atrophies/Dystrophies.
- We can help to improve:
- Strength
- Posture
- Gross motor function
- Muscle tone
- Spasticity
- Gait.
Infant Conditions
- Physiotherapist can work with young infants to help improve conditions such as:
- Torticollis
- Foot conditions (clubfoot, metatarsus adductus and more)
- Hip Dysplasia screening & post intervention rehabilitation
- Head shape (such as plagiocephaly)
- Brachial Plexus Injury
- Milestone delay.
Posture/Sitting
- Physiotherapists are anatomy experts! We can address any posture concerns by addressing muscle imbalances, increasing flexibility and core strength.
- Sitting focus difficulty is a common occurrence in children who are neurodivergent such as Autistic or ADHD children.
- This can be due to poor posture/core strength and sensory challenges which Physiotherapy can help.
Low Muscle Tone
- Many children, especially Neurodivergent children experience the effects of having low muscle tone.
- Low muscle tone can lead to difficulty acquiring gross or fine motor skills, have a poor posture and can lead to low confidence in sport and at playgrounds.
- Physiotherapists can address this by developing and implementing a strategic strengthening and flexibility plan.
Equipment Prescription
- Some children require specialist equipment to help them achieve their goals, provide mobility or help to maintain good posture/safety.
- A physiotherapist can assess, recommend, trial and prescribe equipment to children with many different needs. We are able to write up and AT form and submit to NDIS to help your equipment be approved.
We offer locations including:
- Clinic
- Home
- School
- Playground
- Gym
- Swimming Pool
- Sports and Community Club
- Nature (beach or bush).
We offer regular sessions throughout the term/year or we can offer short term blocks during school holidays.
Meet the Physiotherapist
Gemma Hepburn
Senior Physiotherapist
Gemma is the owner of Therabees and is an experienced Physiotherapist having worked with children for over 13 years. She is passionate about helping children to maximise their potential. It was this passion that led Gemma to start Therabees and to find a passionate like-minded team to work alongside her.
Phil Diakou
Senior Physiotherapist
Phillip (Phil) is a Physiotherapist who studied a Bachelor of Physiotherapy at the University of South Australia and joined our team in November 2021. Phil is passionate about helping children and their families achieve their functional and specific goals. A kid at heart, Phil loves working with children who have Cerebral Palsy.
Mitchell Howe
Physiotherapist
Special Interests: Hydrotherapy, Early Childhood Intervention & Invants
Mitchell Howe
Physiotherapist
Initially Mitchell began working in the sports physiotherapy world where he helped Australian Olympic athletes, SANFL junior and senior players and a range of other athletes competing at the highest levels of their sports in South Australia. Mitchell is passionate about helping young people of all ages and their families achieve their individual and specific goals. Mitchell has always enjoyed working with children and has had past experience working as an allied health assistant for a hydrotherapy physiotherapist, sports team coaching and sports team physiotherapists.