Down syndrome physical therapy plays a vital role in improving muscle strength, balance, coordination, and motor skills. This physical therapy aims to improve independence in doing daily activities and the patient’s quality of life. Meanwhile, alternative treatments at Wayne Massage can also help increase blood circulation and nutrients. In effect, it pulls out the toxins present inside the body.
Down syndrome
This genetic condition involves having an extra chromosome. As a result, it causes developmental changes and physical features of down syndrome. Besides that, there is also an increased risk of developing health problems.
Individuals with down syndrome show distinct physical features, unique health issues, and variability in cognitive development. However, not all complications appear in each patient. Every patient shows different variations of down syndrome.
Down syndrome often occurs with physical challenges, including low muscle tone. Furthermore, it can cause a lifelong disability. For this reason, it would be best to have sufficient knowledge about it. This way, there is still a chance to increase the patient’s quality of life.
In actuality, there are three types of Down Syndrome. We have briefly differentiated each of them below.
3 Types of Down Syndrome
- Trisomy 21: This type involves having a patient with an extra copy of chromosome 21 in every cell. It is the most typical type of down syndrome, which is a genetic disorder. Usually, it includes birth disorders, learning problems, and issues in facial features.
- Mosaicism: This type also involves having an extra chromosome. However, its difference with Trisomy 21 is that it only happens in some of the cells. It also comes along with various disorders but not as much as with Trisomy 21.
- Translocation: The body has a total of 46 chromosomes. In this type, the child experiences a part of the chromosome transferred to another chromosome. This type of down syndrome can lead to severe disorders, such as leukemia.
Down Syndrome Physical Therapy
Before a physical therapist begins with the treatment session, they will evaluate the child’s actual condition. The evaluation includes the following items.
- Birth and developmental history
- General health questions
- Parental concerns
- Physical examination
- Motor skills acquisition
- Referrals
Down syndrome physical therapy is an excellent way to facilitate optimal movement patterns in the patient’s body. As much as possible, it would be best to have this massage therapy during the early stages of the child’s development.
This massage therapy for down syndrome involves the following goals.
- Build up motor skills.
- Strengthen the child’s muscles.
- Increase their joints and core stability.
- Normalize your child’s muscle tone.
- Work out the delayed developmental milestones.
- Prevent compensatory patterns of abnormal movements.
Importance of Physical Activity
If a person has down syndrome, they are most likely to lose their functional ability. It includes losing the ability to perform daily living activities. Moreover, the person with down syndrome tends to decrease their body’s functional abilities as they age.
For this reason, it would be best to apply physical therapy that involves physical activities. However, each person differs in preferences and interests when it comes to physical activity. Various factors can also affect the increase in the levels of physical activity among children with Down Syndrome.
Physical activity can help to develop motor skills, muscle strength, balance, coordination, postural control, and the child’s overall physical fitness. Cardiovascular fitness should involve engaging in activities that the child enjoys.
Additionally, it would be best if these activities are something the child would look forward to doing every day. Cardiovascular fitness activities should capture the child’s interest to make them more into it. In effect, they would do it voluntarily, and the development would increase quickly.
Cardiovascular fitness may involve aerobic or strength training. There is a specific frequency for each of these training sessions. For this reason, working with the right physical therapist is necessary. The right choice will always depend on how you look into their credentials.
The right person to do down syndrome physical therapy
Generally speaking, finding the right physical therapist is a primary necessity for individuals with Down Syndrome. Here are some of the considerations that should remain intact when you make your choice for a physical therapist.
- It would be best to choose a therapist with experience in pediatrics and developmental disorders. The therapy can either happen inside the clinic, home, school, and community environment.
- Additionally, it would be best if you look for a board-certified therapist. Another option is someone who has completed a residency or fellowship in pediatric physical therapy.
- An experienced pediatric physical therapist also knows the essence of working with other medical professionals. This way, there is a high chance of maximizing excellent outcomes for the patient.
- You also have to consider the patient’s individual needs. You will need an appropriate specialist if you have to work out neurological conditions, musculoskeletal impairments, or pain management.
- Early intervention programs from birth to 3 years old.
You can find a physical therapist through the recommendations of family, friends, or health care providers. You can also consider contacting a chiropractor, a physical therapy clinic or a home health agency. When you make your first appointment, you should prepare to describe your child’s condition.
Conclusion
Down syndrome physical therapy will not fix the condition. However, it can still address the unique problems associated with it. Massage therapy in the intervention program can improve muscle tone. Additionally, there will be more significant gains in fine and gross motor functioning.
Massage therapy can also prevent illness, mental health issues and an excellent treatment for chronic pain or an injury. Check the https://www.waynemassage.com.au/remedial-massage-sydney-cbd/ website for more details. Furthermore, it can improve the sense of well-being of patients with Down Syndrome.
In the final analysis, there is still no standard treatment for Down Syndrome. However, some therapies can reduce the symptoms associated with it. In effect, there is still a chance to improve their quality of life.
Additionally, the patients would be able to cope up with the situation. They can still live enjoyably with their families or independently. Moreover, they can go to mainstream schools, read and write, become socially active, and have jobs. In the end, children with Down Syndrome can still have a bright future ahead and live fulfilling lives.
