Physiotherapy for Teenagers and Young Adults
Gross Motor Development
Gross motor skills are the larger movements we use every day to get around, play, exercise, and participate in activities we enjoy. Physiotherapy can support teenagers and young adults who are having difficulty with skills such as running, jumping, climbing, riding a bike, balancing, coordinating movements, building strength, or improving endurance. Through fun and meaningful activities, physiotherapists can help young people develop their physical skills, confidence, and independence while working toward their individual goals. Therapy is tailored to each person’s abilities, interests, and priorities, with strategies that can be incorporated into everyday routines, recreation, sports, and community activities.
Gait/Walking Concerns
- Walking Patterns – Toe walking, in-toeing, out-toeing, limping, or an unusual walking pattern.
- Foot & Leg Alignment – Flat feet, feet rolling inward, knock knees, bow legs, or other alignment concerns.
- Balance & Coordination – Frequent tripping or falling, poor balance, or difficulty coordinating movements.
- Strength & Movement – Difficulty running, jumping, climbing stairs, getting up from the floor, or keeping up with peers.
Orthopaedic Injuries
- Sprains & Strains – Injuries to muscles, ligaments, and joints.
- Fractures & Dislocations – Supporting recovery after broken bones, dislocations, or casting.
- Sports & Activity Injuries – Injuries from sports, recreation, or repetitive activities.
- Post-Surgical Rehabilitation – Rebuilding strength, mobility, balance, and confidence after surgery.
- Return to Activity – Helping youth and teens safely return to sports, school, and everyday activities.
Core and Muscle Weakness
Some teenagers and young adults may experience reduced strength in their core, arms, or legs, which can make everyday activities, sports, recreation, or getting around more challenging. This may show up as difficulty with stairs, getting up from the floor or a chair, running, jumping, lifting, carrying, maintaining posture, or keeping up with peers. Physiotherapy can help identify areas of weakness and build strength through engaging, age-appropriate activities that are meaningful to each individual. Our goal is to help teens and young adults build the strength, confidence, and physical skills they need to participate more comfortably and independently in the activities that matter to them.
Coordination and Agility
Physiotherapy can help teenagers and young adults develop coordination, balance, agility, and body awareness to support everyday activities, sports, recreation, and community participation. Through engaging, age-appropriate activities, we work on skills such as balancing, changing direction, reacting quickly, jumping, running, and moving with greater control and confidence. Therapy is tailored to each individual’s goals and interests, helping them build physical skills and confidence for the activities that are important to them.
Neurological, Chromosomal and Genetic Conditions
Physiotherapy can help teenagers and young adults with neurological, chromosomal, or genetic conditions build strength, coordination, balance, endurance, and movement skills. Therapy is individualized to each person’s abilities, needs, and goals and may focus on walking, running, transfers, stairs, mobility, endurance, or participation in sports, recreation, and everyday activities. We use engaging, functional activities to help young people move more comfortably and confidently while supporting independence and participation at home, school, work, and in the community.
Common conditions physiotherapists work with include cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, spina bifida, Down syndrome, William's syndrome, Rett syndrome, etc.
Physical Activity
Physiotherapy can help teenagers build the strength, endurance, coordination, and confidence they need to stay active and participate in the activities they enjoy. We can help teens develop the skills needed for running, jumping, swimming, sports, fitness, recreational activities, and everyday movement. Through engaging and individualized activities, physiotherapists work with each teen to find ways to make physical activity enjoyable, accessible, and successful while supporting their goals and independence.