Disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional for advice specific to your child's condition. © 2026 Better Physiotherapy Bundoora.
Children's bodies are growing, changing, and developing in ways that create unique vulnerabilities and unique opportunities. Physiotherapy for children addresses the full spectrum from growth-related pain and sports injuries to developmental movement conditions — in an approach tailored to how children actually learn and engage.
How Children's Physio Differs from Adult Physio
Treating children requires a different approach at every level:
- Growth plates: The cartilaginous growth centres in children's bones are significantly weaker than surrounding bone — a fact that changes how injuries present and how they should be managed
- Developmental norms: A physiotherapist assesses children against age-appropriate developmental milestones, not adult standards
- Play-based engagement: Effective paediatric physiotherapy uses play, games, and activities that naturally incorporate the therapeutic goals — not adult-style exercise programs
- Parental involvement: Parents are co-therapists. A good paediatric physiotherapy session trains the parent to continue the work between appointments
Conditions We Treat in Children
- Sever's disease (heel pain): Most common musculoskeletal complaint in active children aged 8–14. Heel lifts, calf strengthening, and load management
- Osgood-Schlatter disease: Tibial tubercle pain in active adolescents. Quadriceps flexibility and load management
- Sports injuries: Ankle sprains, knee ligament injuries, muscle strains in junior athletes
- Postural conditions: Scoliosis screening and exercise management, kyphosis correction, postural pain in school-age children
- Toe walking: Assessment and management including calf stretching and strengthening programs
- Developmental coordination disorder (DCD): Motor skill programs to improve coordination and physical confidence
- NDIS conditions: Cerebral palsy, autism, developmental delay affecting movement
What to Expect at Your Child's First Appointment
We take a detailed history (often including a developmental history for younger children), observe the child's movement and gait, perform a thorough physical assessment, explain our findings in clear terms to both the child and parents, and set achievable goals together. Treatment may include hands-on therapy, guided movement activities, and exercises demonstrated to both child and parent for home practice.
Children's Physiotherapy at Better Physiotherapy Bundoora
We see children of all ages at our Bundoora clinic. NDIS registered. Medicare EPC available. Call (03) 9467 6900 or book online today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are growing pains and should I see a physio?
"Growing pains" is a broad term for pain in growing children. True growing pains are typically poorly localised limb pains at night in children aged 3–12, without clear cause. However, many presentations labelled as growing pains are actually specific conditions: Sever's disease (heel pain in active 8–14 year olds), Osgood-Schlatter (knee pain at the tibial tuberosity), or overuse injuries in young athletes. A physiotherapist can differentiate these presentations and provide targeted treatment.
Can flat feet in children be treated with physiotherapy?
Flat feet are normal in children under 4 — the arch develops as the child grows. Flexible flat feet (the arch appears on tiptoe) rarely require treatment if the child is asymptomatic. When flat feet cause pain, reduce activity participation, or are associated with an unusual walking pattern, physiotherapy with targeted strengthening and footwear advice is beneficial. Rigid flat feet always warrant assessment.
Should my child stop sport for growing pains?
Not necessarily. The goal is to manage load to an acceptable level — not eliminate activity, which has significant negative impacts on a child's health and wellbeing. For Sever's disease, heel lifts and calf flexibility exercises allow most children to continue sport with modification. For Osgood-Schlatter, load management and quadriceps flexibility exercises are the mainstay. Complete sport withdrawal is rarely required.
Is NDIS physio available for children in Bundoora?
Yes. Children with NDIS funding can access physiotherapy at Better Physiotherapy Bundoora under Capacity Building (Improved Daily Living) and Core budgets. We are NDIS registered and work with plan-managed, NDIA-managed, and self-managed participants. Early childhood NDIS support is particularly valuable for children with developmental conditions.
Ashley Haleel
Physiotherapist & Owner — Better Physiotherapy Bundoora