When Should Your Child See a Physiotherapist?
When should your child see a physiotherapist? A sore knee after football, an ankle injury at netball or pain that keeps coming back can leave parents unsure whether to seek advice or allow more time to recover.
Not every ache needs treatment. However, pain that repeatedly affects your child’s movement, sleep, school or sport deserves attention. The aim is to understand what’s happening and help your child return to the activities they enjoy.
Signs your child should see a physiotherapist
Consider an assessment if your child:
- Has recurring pain during or after physical activity.
- Has an injury that isn’t improving.
- Starts avoiding activities they normally enjoy.
- Has difficulty returning to sport after an injury.
- Feels less confident moving following an injury.
A new or unexplained limp should be checked by a health professional rather than assumed to be a minor sporting injury. Read Children’s Health Queensland’s advice on limping for further guidance.
Is it just growing pains?
It can be tempting to explain leg pain as “growing pains”, particularly when children are active or going through a growth spurt. However, that label shouldn’t replace an assessment when symptoms persist.
Pain in one particular joint, swelling, a limp or pain that regularly stops your child participating needs further attention. Understanding the cause helps guide whether your child needs physiotherapy, medical review or another form of support.
What happens at a physiotherapy appointment?
An appointment starts with listening to you and your child. We ask where it hurts, when it started and which activities make it better or worse. It also helps to know what your child wants to get back to—whether that’s playing at lunchtime, dancing or returning to their team.
Depending on the concern, an assessment may look at movement, strength, balance and tasks such as walking, squatting or hopping.
We then explain the findings and discuss a plan. This may include exercises, changes to activity and advice for returning to sport. If medical assessment is needed, we’ll explain why.
Does my child need to stop playing sport?
Not necessarily. The right approach depends on the injury and how your child is moving.
Sometimes reducing training, changing particular activities or taking a break from competition is appropriate. Other injuries need more protection and medical guidance. A return-to-sport plan should suit your child’s recovery rather than rely only on a set number of days.
How can parents help?
Listen when your child reports pain and notice changes in how they move. Keep track of when symptoms occur and any recent changes in training or activity.
If exercises are prescribed, help your child understand their purpose and fit them into a manageable routine. Ask for guidance if an exercise increases symptoms or your child is struggling with it.
When to seek urgent medical care
Seek urgent medical assessment if your child cannot walk or put weight through a leg, has severe pain, or has a painful, swollen joint with fever or appears unwell. These symptoms should not wait for a routine physiotherapy appointment.
Children’s physiotherapy in Townsville
At The Physio House in Condon, all our physiotherapists see children aged three and over. We work with children, teenagers and their families to support injury recovery, movement and confidence.
Contact our team to discuss your child’s needs, or visit our Children’s Physiotherapy page to learn more.