October is National Physical Therapy Month

October is National Physical Therapy Month and we are excited to share with you about our specialty practice of pediatric PT here at Exercisabilities. Pediatric physical therapy can benefit children from birth to 21 years old of all ability levels. The National PT month campaign is Choose PT. So here are 5 great reasons to choose pediatric physical therapy for your child.  

1. Choose PT for meeting milestones. From tummy time to riding a two-wheeler, pediatric physical therapists are trained in assessing the mobility, strength, and coordination that contribute to your child’s developmental milestones. A pediatric physical therapist can provide education on the expected age ranges for developmental milestones and provide personalized, hands-on treatment to work toward your child’s next goal.  

1. Choose PT for optimal motor function. Through structured play, your child’s physical therapist will provide treatment to increase range of motion, coordination, and strength.  Establishing these building blocks at a young age can help physical activity be an enjoyable aspect of your child’s life through the lifespan.  

1. Choose PT for equipment, orthotic, and positioning needs. Your physical therapist can assess and provide recommendations for equipment and orthotic needs. Once a prescription from your physician is obtained, therapists can help facilitate trials, fitting, and ordering of equipment such as: standing frames, gait trainers, adaptive car seats, mechanical lifts and more while partnering with durable medical equipment providers. Physical therapists can provide training for caregivers on positioning, carrying, and transfers.  

1. Choose PT for improved engagement with peers. A variety of diagnoses can lead to a child having difficulty engaging and keeping up with their peers. A lack of balance, coordination, or strength may lead to difficulty with age appropriate gross motor skills. In physical therapy, your child can work on developing skills common to the home, classroom, and playground settings to increase their confidence in engaging with siblings and classmates.  

1. Choose PT for peace of mind. As your child grows you may be faced with many questions and worries. Why doesn’t my baby tolerate tummy time? Is it okay for my baby to skip crawling? What is the best type of standing frame or gait trainer? Is this walking pattern normal? Why is my child having a hard time learning to ride a bike? Physical therapy can answer all these questions and more. Call our desk at (507) 259-7570 or message us to ask about getting started with physical therapy. We have immediate openings available for physical therapy and can offer free 15 minute screenings to determine if your child would benefit from physical therapy.  

Jinise Trueblood, DP, DPT

Dr. Jinise graduated from the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2019. Before this she attended Montana State University- Billings and earned a degree in Health and Human Performance. Her areas of practice interest include pediatrics, aquatic therapy, and working with seniors.

Jinise was born and raised in Columbia Falls Montana, the Gateway to Glacier National Park. She is settling into life in Rochester and enjoys exploring the outdoors with her husband and two dogs. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, reading, and is trying her hand at gardening.