As a parent, it can be difficult to know when your child's pain or movement difficulty warrants professional attention — and when it's likely to resolve on its own. This guide from Lambert Sports Clinic in Surbiton helps you understand when children's physiotherapy is appropriate and what to expect from treatment.
What is Children's (Paediatric) Physiotherapy?
Paediatric physiotherapy uses the same principles as adult physiotherapy — assessment, manual therapy, exercise prescription — but with an understanding of how the developing musculoskeletal system differs from an adult's. Children's bones, muscles, and tendons are still growing and are susceptible to different types of injury and condition.
At Lambert Sports Clinic, our physiotherapists have experience assessing and treating children from school age upwards — particularly young athletes and active children.
Signs Your Child May Benefit from Physiotherapy
Growing Pains
Osgood-Schlatter disease (pain below the kneecap) and Sever's disease (heel pain) are common in active children aged 8–14, caused by traction on growth plates during rapid growth phases. Both respond well to physiotherapy, load management, and targeted stretching — and both will resolve as your child's growth slows, but physiotherapy significantly reduces the impact on their sport participation in the meantime.
Sports Injuries
Young athletes are prone to specific injury patterns including growth plate fractures (apophyseal injuries), ligament sprains, and overuse injuries from training volume that exceeds their developing body's capacity. Early physiotherapy assessment is essential to ensure appropriate management and prevent recurrence.
Poor Posture
Increasing time at desks and on screens is affecting children's posture at a younger age. Rounded shoulders, forward head posture, and thoracic kyphosis in teenagers can be addressed effectively with physiotherapy and exercise.
Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
Children who have had orthopaedic surgery — for fractures, growth deformities, or ligament repairs — need specialist physiotherapy rehabilitation to restore full function safely.
Hypermobility
Hypermobile children are at higher risk of soft tissue injuries and chronic pain. Physiotherapy focused on stability, strength, and proprioception is the cornerstone of management for hypermobility spectrum disorder.
Flat Feet and Gait Problems
Concerned about the way your child walks or runs? Physiotherapy assessment can determine whether a gait abnormality is within normal development or requires intervention. Gait analysis is available at Lambert Sports Clinic.
When to Seek Help Urgently
Some presentations require prompt medical attention rather than physiotherapy alone:
- Sudden onset of severe joint pain after a fall or impact (possible fracture)
- A joint that is significantly swollen, hot, or red (possible infection or inflammatory condition)
- Night pain that consistently wakes a child from sleep
- Unexplained weight loss alongside joint pain
In these cases, contact your GP or go to A&E before booking physiotherapy.
What to Expect at a Children's Physiotherapy Appointment
Appointments are adapted to be engaging and appropriate for younger patients. Parents are welcome to attend throughout. The physiotherapist will explain everything clearly, use age-appropriate language, and make sure your child is comfortable before any hands-on assessment or treatment.
Our Surbiton clinic is CQC-registered, meaning our clinical standards and safeguarding protocols meet the highest regulatory requirements for treating children and young people.
Ready to Book?
Same-week appointments available. CQC-registered clinic. No GP referral needed.
Book Physio Online 020 8133 5694Book Children's Physiotherapy in Surbiton
Lambert Sports Clinic offers specialist children's physiotherapy at our CQC-registered clinic in Surbiton. Same-week appointments available. No GP referral required.
Learn more about our children's physiotherapy service · Book online · Call 020 8133 5694.