Neuroplasticity through Sensorimotor & Somatic Integration
Anxiety, ADHD, Depression & Behavioral Problems in Children
Non-medication sensorimotor treatments to help manage physical and neurological symptoms associated with mental health and behavioral conditions
"Nearly 20% of children and young people ages 3-17 in the United States have a mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral disorder, and suicidal behaviors among high school students increased more than 40% in the decade before 2019" -NCBI
Can Physical Therapy Help My Child? Has your child been diagnosed with an recent diagnosis of ADHD, anxiety, depression, or other behavioral health condition? Do you see in your child physical signs of stress, discomfort, difficulty breathing, tense muscles, or constant fatigue with exercise or play? We specialize in assisting your child in this unique area of the field and use a polyvagal approach that helps your child discover the best sensory and movement tools that help them manage their physical symptoms.
ANXIETY: According to the National Institute of Mental Health, it is estimated that over 19.1% of the U.S. population suffers from having an anxiety disorder. In children, one out of eight are now thought affected and children between ages of 12-18 there is a prevalence of 25.1%. Males are more effected than females and many individuals develop symptoms before age of 21.
In many cases, disruptive changes to the nervous system occur when an individual experiences chronic stress and anxiety and has the potential to affect many of your body systems and create imbalance.
Body systems that are affected by chronic anxiety can include the nervous system, fascial system, muscular system, immune system, circulatory system, respiratory system, as well as many others. We look closely at each system to help develop appropriate treatments to help balance your body.
Symptoms we can help children manage: We use techniques that are designed to help rebalance the nervous system and help better manage unwanted physical and neurological symptoms often associated with anxiety. Physical and neurological symptoms we can help with include:
Body Restlessness
Fatigue & Tiredness
Fight or Flight Responses
Pins and Needles
Shaking/Tremoring
Dizziness
Hypersensitivity
Increased Heart Rates/Palpitations
Fast Breathing Rates/Shortness of Breath
Hearing Sensitivities
Tense and Tight Muscles
Sleep Imbalances
Stomach Discomfort and Pain
Bowel Problems
Throat Tightness
Cold Hands
Weight Gain
Sexual Problems
Sleeping Difficulties
"One in six children aged 2-8 have a mental, behavioral, or neurodevelopmental condition"- CDC
ADHD: According to the CDC, it is estimated that over 11% of children ages 5-17 in the U.S. population is diagosed with ADHD, with boys being more affected than girls. It is considered one of the most common mental health diagnosis in the U.S. for children with many symptoms often continuing into their adolescents and adulthood years.
Symptoms of ADHD are well defined and often include behaviors such as inattentiveness and hyperactivity and impulsiveness, or only one symptom of these behaviors.
In many cases, unintegrated reflexes as well as other sensory and motor problems are also found to be associated with these behaviors. These physical problems can be addressed in a physical therapy program that helps the child to rebalance the nervous system and better organize their sensory systems.
Symptoms we can help naturally treat: We use techniques that are designed to help directly address unintegrated reflexes, rebalance the nervous system, and provide your child with physical sensory and movement management options. Physical and neurological symptoms we can help address include:
Unintegrated reflexes
Hyperactivity
Movement Disorganization
Sensitivity
Impulsiveness
Loss of Balance
Movement Mistakes
Fidgeting/Tremoring
Difficulty Staying Focused with Activity
Difficulty Sitting
Fast Breathing Rates/Shortness of Breath
Fight or Flight Responses
Hearing Sensitivities
Tense and Tight Muscles
Stomach Discomfort and Pain
"One in six children aged 2-8 (17.4%) have a mental, behavioral, or neurodevelopmental condition"- CDC
DEPRESSION: It is now estimated that over 3% of children and adolescents are being diagnosed with depression. What was once considered a adult condition is now becoming a more common behavior seen in children, even as young as two. Depression can coincide with other conditions such as ADHD and anxiety, but also can present differently from one child to the next.
Even though physical therapy is not a replacement for depression, it can help children find the appropriate tools that can deliver positive shifts and rebalancing to their nervous system, especially in areas of the brain and body identified as under-stimulated. Especially for certain children where psychotherapy or talk therapy may not be helpful, sensory and movement training can provide another pathway through the nervous system to create physical changes in symptoms.
Symptoms we can help naturally treat: We use techniques that are designed to help directly address unintegrated reflexes, restimulate the nervous system, and provide your child with new ways to experiences physical sensory and movement. Physical and neurological symptoms we can help address include:
Unintegrated reflexes
Chronic Pain
Low Energy
Stomachaches
Fatigue and Sleep Difficulties
Hypermobility
Gut/Digestion Related Problems
Loss of Appetite
Headaches
Lack of "Feeling" of Sensations
Loss of Pleasure With Family and/or Activities
Hyperactivity and Irritability
Decreased Sensitivity
Impulsiveness
Loss of Balance
Numbness/Tingling
Auditory Sensitivities/Difficulties
"8.9% of children aged 3–17 in the United States were diagnosed with behavior problems between 2016 and 2019" -Center of Disease and Control
BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS: Behavioral problems involve a pattern of disruptive behaviors that cause problems in school, at home and in social situations. Examples of other behavioral disorders include bipolar disorders, eating disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, conduct disorders, oppositional defiant disorders, and other psychiatric disorders.
Symptoms we can help naturally treat: We use techniques that are designed to help children understand where their nervous system is and how to create positive create rebalancing through the use of sensory and movement based exercises. Physical and neurological symptoms we can help address include:
Hyperirritability
Difficulty With Concentration
Tense and Tight Musculature
Hyperactivity
Chronic Pain
Difficulty Breathing
Low Energy
Stomachaches
Fatigue and Sleep Difficulties
Hypermobility
Sensory Problems
Gut/Digestion Related Problems
Auditory Sensitivities/Difficulties
Physical therapy is not a replacement for mental health or psychiatric therapy, neither is it considered treatment for anxiety, ADHD, depression, or other behavioral disorders. Physical therapy CAN however help with the management and rebalancing of physical and neurological problems often found to be associated with these condition.
We specialize in neurodevelopmental disorders and helping children better understand how they CAN help their brain and body in positive ways that provides them with more control over their body and feelings of greater safety and connection. We teach each child how to interpret their own nervous system and provide them with rich sensory tools and strategies that help.
If your child has a mental health or behavioral diagnosis and you are wondering how physical therapy may be able to help, please contact us today. We look forward to seeing how we are able to help!
