For outpatient physical therapy, your child will visit a clinic or other facility for PT sessions and then return home.
Outpatient physical therapy (PT) is physical therapy that your child gets in a clinic when they are not staying in the hospital. Physical therapists help your child move safely, build strength, and do more on their own.
Benefits of physical therapy
Physical therapy may help your child:
Get stronger so their muscles can work better
Improve balance and control so they can move safely
Increase flexibility so joints can move easily
Build endurance so they can do things longer (like play)
Reduce pain related to injury, illness, or surgery
Prevent future problems by improving how the body moves
Getting ready for your first physical therapy visit
Outpatient physical therapy usually takes place in a clinic or rehabilitation center. This might be in a hospital or in a separate clinic.
Even if your child had acute care physical therapy, outpatient PT may feel different. Acute care physical therapy is focused on helping your child heal, stay safe, and get stronger while they are in the hospital. Outpatient PT focuses on building skills over time in a clinic.
Know what to bring with you
To help you get ready for your first outpatient physical therapy visit:
Ask your care team what you need to bring with you. This may include:
Contact information for care team members who need updates
Plan for movement
Have your child wear comfortable clothes and supportive shoes so they can move safely and easily.
Bring any assistive devices or mobility aids your child uses, such as orthotics, crutches, or walkers.
You might bring a water bottle or snack for after the session.
It is helpful to write down the questions you have for your physical therapist so that you remember them. You can bring this list to your first appointment to ensure that those questions get answered. If you have a lot of questions, put the most important ones first.
Lindsey Christoffersen, PT, DPT, C/NDT
What to expect during a physical therapy visit
Physical therapy visits often last 30–60 minutes each. Your child may get weekly therapy based on their needs and how they are doing.
During the first visit
At your child’s first PT visit, you will check in and meet the therapist. They will ask about your child’s health, daily activities, and why you are coming to physical therapy. This helps them plan safe, helpful care.
To help them plan the right exercises and activities, the therapist will do a gentle movement exam. They may:
Test strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and posture
Feel your child’s joints and muscles to see how they move
Watch how your child moves, such as walking, climbing steps, or getting up from a chair
Ask if your child has pain
For younger children, the therapist will use play or games to see how they move.
Before you leave, you and the therapist will work together to set goals and schedule the next visit. If your child needs special equipment, the physical therapist will either get it for you or tell you where to get it. They will also teach you how to use it safely.
After the first visit
The therapist will teach your child exercises and activities. Many children get a home program of balance exercises or other skills to practice between visits. This helps your child improve faster.
Your child may practice everyday movements. These can include:
Sitting and standing
Getting in and out of a chair
Walking
Using stairs
Physical therapy is designed specifically for each patient. Your child’s care plan might be very different from what other patients are doing in the same clinic. Their plan might also change from week to week.
In general, ongoing PT visits include:
Questions and tests to check symptoms and measure progress
Treatments and exercises to address specific problems
Instructions for precautions and exercises to do at home
Setting up your next appointment
Tips for physical therapy
Keep your appointments, and be on time. This will help your child make steady progress. Being late can shorten the time your child has to work with the therapist. Recovery can take longer when your child has short or missed visits.
Contact the clinic if you need to cancel. Not showing up to a visit or canceling late can lead to fees or being dropped from therapy. Be sure you understand your clinic’s cancellation policy.
Partner with your child’s physical therapist. This will help your child get the most out of each PT visit. Tell the therapist if you do not understand something, if your child is tired, or if your child has pain. Be honest about whether your child is using their devices and doing their exercises.
Support and encourage your child. Physical therapy can be hard and tiring. Be sure to praise your child’s efforts, not just their results.
Help your child follow the therapy plan. Your therapist may ask your child to change the way they do an activity. Or your child may have to limit some movements. It is important to follow these instructions to prevent injury and support healing.
Keep up with home exercises. If your child has exercises or activities to do at home, follow your physical therapist’s instructions for how to do them and how often.
Questions to ask your care team
What goals will my child work toward in PT?
What should we bring to each visit?
Can I stay with my child during PT sessions?
How will you measure my child’s progress?
What should I do if my child has pain, tiredness, or new symptoms during therapy?
Does my child need any special equipment, such as braces or a walking device?
How will you share updates with my child’s doctor or other providers?
What is your clinic’s cancellation policy?
What can we do at home to help therapy work better?
Key points about physical therapy
Outpatient physical therapy helps your child move safely and get stronger when they are not staying in the hospital.
Physical therapists work with your child to build skills they need for home, school, and play.
Each physical therapy plan is personalized. It can change as your child grows and improves.
Your child’s physical therapist may give them exercises to do at home to make progress between visits.
You will work with the physical therapist to help your child reach their goals.
Physical therapy can improve strength, balance, and healing for your child during and after treatment. Learn how PT supports recovery and daily function.
Children with serious illnesses may need physical therapy, occupational therapy, audiology, and speech-language therapy. Learn about rehabilitation services.
