What is Children’s Physiotherapy?
Children’s physiotherapy focuses on musculoskeletal conditions affecting bones, joints, muscles and tendons during growth and development. It recognises that children are not simply smaller adults and that treatment must consider growth patterns, training load and physical development.
At Flex, children’s physiotherapy integrates clinical assessment, age appropriate rehabilitation and education to support safe return to sport, school activities and everyday movement.
We treat musculoskeletal problems only and do not provide neurological physiotherapy services.
Common Conditions We Treat in Children and Adolescents
Knee
Heel and foot
Ankle
Hip and groin
Muscle strains
Overuse injuries
Post injury or post operative rehabilitation
1. Knee
Knee pain including Osgood Schlatter’s disease, patellofemoral pain and growth related knee symptoms.
2. Heel and Foot
Heel pain such as Sever’s disease, foot pain and overuse related conditions.
3. Ankle
Ankle sprains, instability and movement related ankle pain.
4. Hip and Groin
Hip, groin and pelvic pain related to growth or increased sporting demands.
5. Muscle Strains
Muscle strains affecting areas such as the thigh or calf, often linked to sport or rapid changes in activity.
6. Overuse Injuries
Pain caused by repetitive loading during sport or training, particularly during growth phases.
7. Post Injury or Post Operative Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation following injury or surgery to support a safe, structured return to school activities and sport.
What to Expect During a Rehabilitation Appointment
During childhood and adolescence, periods of rapid growth, increasing training load and early specialisation in sport can place extra stress on the body and increase injury risk. Preventative rehabilitation supports healthy development by addressing these demands early.
Build Confidence
Strength and movement confidence developed during key growth phases.
Improve Control
Coordination, balance and movement control enhanced as the body changes.
Manage Load
Training and sport demands tolerated safely and progressively.
Reduce Injury Risk
Lower risk of recurring or preventable injuries linked to growth and overuse.
Support Long Term Movement
Healthy movement habits that encourage lifelong participation in sport and physical activity.
What to Expect at a Children’s Physiotherapy Appointment
Step 1. Assessment and History
We discuss your child’s symptoms, activity levels, training or sport involvement, and any relevant medical background.
Step 2. Movement and Physical Assessment
Your physiotherapist assesses movement, strength, flexibility and control to identify what is contributing to pain or limitation.
Step 3. Clear Explanation and Plan
Findings are explained in a simple, reassuring way for both your child and parent or guardian, with a clear treatment plan agreed.
Step 4. Treatment and Rehabilitation
Treatment may include guided exercises, movement retraining and education, focused on building confidence and improving function.
Step 5. Supervised Rehabilitation and Home Exercises
Rehabilitation is guided and supervised by your physiotherapist during appointments, with simple, age appropriate home exercises provided to support progress between sessions. Home exercises are designed to fit around school and sport and do not replace supervised rehabilitation.
Why Choose Flex for Rehabilitation?
- Physiotherapists with extensive experience supporting children and adolescents in elite and professional sport environments
- Specialist musculoskeletal physiotherapy for children aged 8 years and above
- Age appropriate, engaging and evidence based rehabilitation
- Experience supporting both recreational and competitive young athletes
- Clear communication with parents, children and coaches where appropriate
- Focus on both recovery and long term injury prevention
Children's Physio - Flex Physiotherapy Burgess Hill
Children’s Physiotherapy FAQs
What age children do you treat?
We treat children and young people aged 8 years and above.
What types of problems do you treat in children?
We treat musculoskeletal problems only, including issues affecting muscles, joints, tendons and bones.
Do you treat neurological conditions in children?
No. We do not treat neurological conditions in children. Our children’s physiotherapy service is focused solely on musculoskeletal problems.
Is children’s physiotherapy suitable for young athletes?
Yes. We regularly support children and adolescents involved in sport, including those training or competing regularly.
Will my child need exercises to do at home?
Yes. Home exercises are provided to support supervised rehabilitation and help maintain progress between appointments.
Do parents or guardians need to attend the appointment?
Yes. A parent or guardian is required to attend appointments with their child.
Is preventative physiotherapy useful for children?
Yes. Preventative rehabilitation can help reduce injury risk, improve movement control and support long term physical development, particularly during growth phases.
Do you offer screening and testing for aspiring young athletes?
Yes. We offer age appropriate musculoskeletal screening and movement testing to identify muscle imbalances, control issues and injury risk. Findings are used to guide supervised rehabilitation, preventative exercises and training advice to support safe development and long term participation in sport.