Twin Boro Physical Therapy in Butler, NJ, offers modern techniques and advanced rehabilitative methods to help our patients achieve outstanding results. For residents of Butler, NJ, look no further than Twin Boro Physical Therapy to find optimal health.
Twin Boro Physical Therapy is committed to patient success. We pair each physical therapist with a patient one-on-one to provide individualized treatment plans and make real-time adjustments. This helps our patients develop closer relationships with their therapist, feel comfortable and informed during their progression, and achieve their goals.
Why do children toe walk?
Toe walking is when children walk on their toes rather than walking with the typical heel-to-toe movement. While this is common in play and occasional fun, consistent toe walking and resistance to walk using normal gait can lead to stress on the bones of the foot over time. When determining whether there is cause to be concerned, we must first examine the root of why your child is deciding to walk with that particular movement pattern.
In most cases, children walk on their toes for fun. They find it bouncy, entertaining, and feel as though they are doing something special. In these cases, toe walking is generally not something that should cause concern. Children will generally return to walking in their normal style once they become tired.
In other cases, children may toe walk because they have tight muscles in their legs, their core is weak, they are uncomfortable with the sensory feeling that their foot is on the ground, or any number of other reasons. At home stretching, muscle strengthening exercises, and movement exercises can help your child build the needed biomechanics and muscle memory to walk with typical movement patterns.
Why is it important to teach your child to walk with standard gait?
While it may not seem like a big deal, consistent toe walking can lead to overuse of certain parts of the foot and cause undue stress on the foot and ankle bones. When your child chooses to only walk with the front part of their foot, only the bones in the front of the foot are being stressed and have to bear the entire weight of the child. As children get older and develop further, this stress heightens.
Another downstream effect of continually stressing the front bones of the foot is that the stress in this area may cause the front foot bones to develop more quickly than the back foot bones. This can lead to developmental abnormalities, and could lead to challenges finding properly fitting shoes. In addition to this, the muscles and joints of the foot may develop to support toe walking and lead to pain in later years.
To help prevent adverse effects from toe walking, physical therapists can help your child learn different walking exercises to help them overcome blocks to using the heel and entire foot when walking. Physical therapists can also diagnose any additional conditions that may be contributing to your child’s desire to toe walk, and ensure your child is on the best path for success.
Let’s connect!
The sooner you start physical therapy, the sooner you will see results. Not only is Twin Boro Physical Therapy conveniently accessed across New Jersey, but there is a location in Butler perfect for Butler residents to access state-of-the-art care “near me”. To get started today, contact our Butler office by calling 973.291.8880 or visiting our website.
