With the rapidly increasing popularity of competitive sports and strenuous physical activity, children and adolescents increase their chances of injury. At the T.E.A.M. Approach, physical therapy addresses the current problem, while educating both the child and his/her family on preventing future injury and enhancing athletic performance. In addition, physical therapy addresses weakness, poor balance and coordination, developmental delay, gait (walking) deficits, spasticity, and lack of functional skills for daily living. Therapeutic equipment, such as treadmills, therapy balls, bikes, trikes, and specialized swings are used during treatment. In addition, treatments also involved other modalities such as, neuromuscular (electrical) stimulation, therapeutic taping, serial casting, Theratogs©, rock climbing wall, and aquatic therapy to achieve the child's and family's goals.
The T.E.A.M. Approach offers INJURY SCREENING and SPORT SPECIFIC STRENGTH TRAINING. Consistent with our philosophy, intervention is based on current treatment philosophies and literature. Not only do we strive to achieve the parent and child's goals, but we also incorporate into our programs extensive knowledge of the complex bones and muscles of the growing adolescent/child.
The T.E.A.M. Approach also utilizes STANDARDIZED TESTING to identify a child's performance in relative to his/her age group. These examinations will determine the deficits and problem areas in order to decrease the chances of developmental delay and/or deformity.
While the number of athletic injuries has increased, so has the prevalence of inactivity as children rely on video games and computer media for entertainment. The US Surgeon General recently released a report stating that in 1999, 13% of US children ages 12 to 19 years were overweight. This prevalence is nearly triple what it was from the past 2 decades. The T.E.A.M. Approach offers EXERCISE PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT with a focus on fitness, a healthy lifestyle, and improved self-esteem.
The T.E.A.M. Approach also offers a special program called T.E.A.M. Challenge, for children ages 6-18 who under current medical care for obesity, or those parents simply interested in promoting health lifestyles for their children. Click here for more details.
Early therapeutic intervention for a child with existing conditions such as, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, or Downs Syndrome or children with delayed onset of developmental milestones, such as sitting, crawling, walking, jumping, and running, is important to obtain. At the T.E.A.M. Approach, therapists are experienced with Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT) to facilitate movements essential to achieving developmental milestones and to performing at his/her highest level of functional mobility.
The T.E.A.M. Approach can make recommendations for splints, shoe inserts, casts, braces, and instruction and skin inspections so that your child performs optimally and efficiently.
The T.E.A.M Approach can make recommendations and assessments for rehabilitative equipment, i.e. walkers, positioning and mobility chairs, standers, specialized car seats, bath chairs, and instruction of equipment. Family and child can attend a Seating and Mobility Assessment Clinic, T.E.A.M. Access, for an evaluation and equipment training.
Personal training services, designed specifically for children and adolescents aged 8-18 years old are available on an individual basis. Personalized fitness programs are developed based on individual strengths, limitations and goals. An emphasis is placed on injury prevention, moderation, and sport/task specific skills as well as healthy lifestyles if weight management is the goal. services are provided by a physical therapist certified as a Youth Fitness Instructor.