Ribble Valley Children's Physiotherapy

Ribble Valley Children's Physiotherapy ✨ Specialist Paediatric Physiotherapist
🏆 Multi-award-winning physiotherapy service
🩺 HCPC, CSP & APCP registered
📞 Book your appointment now

23/01/2026

Babies don’t develop their gross motor skills by being put into positions. They develop them through purposeful play ✨

Purposeful play is when your baby is free to move, explore, and work things out for themselves, with just enough support from you when they need it. This is where the strength, coordination, balance, and body awareness needed for rolling really start to build 💪

During floor play, things like tummy time, reaching for toys, weight shifting, and attempts at rolling are doing far more than they look. Every effort, even the messy or incomplete ones, is teaching your baby how their body moves.

You can support this by getting down on the floor with them, placing toys just out of reach, and gently facilitating rolling rather than doing it for them 💖 A small amount of guidance at the right moment helps your baby learn how to initiate the movement and complete it themselves.

Sometimes though, a little extra guidance can really help. It’s a good idea to seek advice from a paediatric physio if your baby isn’t showing much interest in rolling, seems to only ever move to one side, feels very stiff or very floppy, strongly dislikes floor play, or is getting consistently stuck and frustrated despite lots of opportunities to practise.

Getting support early doesn’t mean something is “wrong”. Often it’s just about tweaking how you’re supporting movement and giving both you and your baby a bit more confidence.

This kind of play doesn’t need to be complicated or long. Little and often is more than enough. And when play has a purpose, those everyday moments on the mat are where real progress happens.

👉 Share this with a parent who’s unsure whether to wait it out or step in and support rolling.

19/01/2026

I know what you might be thinking… but rolling isn’t just a quick flip over. It’s actually a combination of lots of little skills all working in sync 🤩 Head control, trunk strength, weight shift, and learning how the body moves all play a part.

Most babies start rolling somewhere around 3-6 months, but it rarely looks smooth at first. You might see them roll one way but not the other, get stuck halfway, or put in a huge amount of effort with very little movement.

Rolling develops gradually and every baby’s journey will look slightly different - that’s normal! ☺️ What matters more than the exact age is progress. If your baby is trying, exploring movement, and getting stronger on the floor, they’re doing exactly what they need to be doing 🙌

That said, it can be really helpful to seek advice from a paediatric physio if your baby isn’t showing much interest in rolling at all, feels very stiff or very floppy, strongly avoids tummy time, has a head turning preference, underlying tension or seems to only ever move to one side 💖 It’s also worth checking in if your instincts are telling you something doesn’t feel quite right!

Early advice doesn’t mean there’s a big problem. Often it’s just about giving you the right support and reassurance at the right time 😘

👉 Share this with a parent who’s wondering why their baby isn’t rolling “properly” yet.

So this is actually quite tricky for me to share, but 2026 is my year to be super brave and take big swings… so here goe...
17/01/2026

So this is actually quite tricky for me to share, but 2026 is my year to be super brave and take big swings… so here goes! 💖

This weekend I received my official combined ADHD diagnosis, and to be honest, it’s brought with it a real sense of relief. Relief in knowing there was a reason school and uni felt so hard, a reason my brain feels like it’s running at 100 miles an hour all the time, and a reason I’ve always had to work so hard just to keep up internally.

At the same time, I’ve found parts of this really difficult. I’ve always believed in accepting people exactly as they are. I encourage children, parents and adults to own their identity, to be unapologetically themselves, and to trust that when you’re authentic, the right people naturally gravitate towards you. It’s something I truly stand by. Yet when it came to me, especially in the business world, I haven’t always practised what I preach 😔

I’ve found it hard to be open about this part of myself through fear that people wouldn’t want to work with me, or that they’d think I wasn’t running my business well, or that I wasn’t capable. That fear has kept this part of my identity very quiet for a long time, even though I would never judge anyone else for the same struggles.

The truth is, my brain is SO creative and I can multitask like an absolute demon, which is something I’m really starting to recognise as a strength. But most of my struggles are internal. That constant fast-paced thinking can tip into overwhelm, and it often shows up as sleepless nights and a persistent feeling that I’m not doing a very good job, even when I’m repeatedly told otherwise. I don’t feel I project this onto others, but it’s something I carry quietly and I’m learning how to manage it better and be kinder to myself as I do.

So this is me. I have combined ADHD. Sharing this feels scary, but it also feels important. I really want to find my people. Other business owners, other parents, others who are doing well despite the struggles they carry to show me that it’s all possible. And if you’re someone who’s walked this path and found things that helped you manage it, I’d genuinely love to hear from you 🙏

16/01/2026

Noah’s first WWE event 🇺🇸

I have never seen this child enjoy himself this much in his entire 8.5 years 😂

Noah lives and breaths wrestling at the moment - it’s become part of his personality and he NEVER stops talking about it 🫣 so for Christmas we were lucky enough to get tickets to go and see it live!

Well… We drove to Newcastle last night (on a Thursday midweek night - IYKYK 😅) - a full five-hour round trip - to watch WWE and the second they came out, he screamed like a banshee and fully transformed into something possessed. Zero volume control. Zero shame. Pure, unfiltered joy 🤣🥲

What a night ✨

These are the moments I want to lock in while I can. The loud ones. The chaotic ones. The ones where you’re exhausted but your heart feels so full.

Feeling unbelievably lucky that I was able to be with him when he unlocked this core memory.

Anyway, hope this loud and crazy video gives you a little Friday happiness injection 😃🤍

Patients never really leave you 💭I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately. You can discharge a child once the goals ar...
14/01/2026

Patients never really leave you 💭

I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately. You can discharge a child once the goals are met and the rehab is done, but they never fully leave your mind. Some patients stay with you in a way that’s hard to explain unless you’ve lived it… and unless you still automatically wonder how they’re getting on.

Mia (pictured) has been on my mind. I treated her from 2021 to 2025. Four years of sessions. Four years of her parents travelling relentlessly to get her to physio. Somewhere along the way, it stopped feeling like “appointments” and started feeling like part of my weekly routine – the kind where you know exactly who’s coming through the door before it even opens. Discharging her was absolutely the right clinical decision, but it still felt strangely emotional. No one warns you about that part ❤️‍🩹

Being a clinician means becoming part of people’s lives in ways you don’t put in the job description. We talk about school, hobbies, performances, matches on the pitch, crushes, big dreams and birthday parties. I know who loves maths, who hates PE, and who definitely stayed up too late the night before (I’m looking at you Ryan! 😉👀). They ask about my life too – holidays, weekends, what I’ve been up to – and sometimes I realise they know more about my plans than most of my friends do! 🤣

It still amazes me that for a brief period of time, two completely different life paths run side by side. Our worlds become intertwined through exercise programmes, life updates, small wins, big emotions, and the occasional “sorry we’re late - nappy explosion!.” 😅 And when that chapter ends, it doesn’t just switch off. You still catch yourself wondering how they’re doing.

Sometimes I sit and reflect on the weight of that privilege – and yes, the responsibility too. Being trusted with a child, welcomed into a family’s life, and allowed to play a small part in their story is HUGE. It’s more than “just” physiotherapy. It’s deeply human. Slightly chaotic at times. Very emotional. And something I will never, ever take for granted 🤍

12/01/2026

Can we all just give a little bit of love to this absolute SMA LEGEND who’s currently working super hard on his arm strength, ranges of movement, visual processing and reaction speed? 😃👏

He comes to every session with a big heart and an open mind, having a go at every single weird and wonderful activity I put in front of him (so long as it’s not leg stretches 😅). I’ve been treating Leyton for 3 years now (I just can’t ever let go 😂) and I’m so proud of how confident he’s become over the years, and how this kid rises to every challenge 💖

Keep going kiddo, you’re doing amazing! 💪

09/01/2026

For those of you who loved the hand speed, drop stick challenge, try this one at home to level up your game! It may look simple… but this chicken has a mind of her own 🐔😉😏

07/01/2026

Tummy time tip that makes SUCH a difference - let’s talk propping! 🤍👶

If your baby is on their tummy and just sort of… face-plants, skydives or gets frustrated quickly, you are not alone.

One of the biggest game-changers in tummy time is helping them prop - first on their forearms, and then (as they get stronger) up on their hands.

And no, it’s not just a random position.

Propping is important because it helps your baby practise:
• Head control (lifting and holding their head up against gravity)
• Upper limb strength (shoulders, arms, hands - all working!)
• Core strength (they’re secretly doing a tiny baby workout)
• Weight bearing through the arms (a key foundation for later skills)

When babies learn to prop well, it sets them up for the milestones that come next, like:
• rolling
• pivoting on their tummy
• pushing up higher on straight arms
• getting onto hands and knees
• crawling
• and eventually pulling up and cruising

So even though propping looks simple, it’s actually one of those “behind the scenes” skills that makes everything else easier later on.

✨ During play, you can help them by:
• placing them on their tummy and gently bringing their elbows under their shoulders
• using a rolled towel or small cushion under their chest for support if they need it
• putting a toy slightly in front so they’re encouraged to lift and look
• helping them shift a little weight onto one arm so they can reach with the other

Keep it short, keep it fun, and build it into play. A few little goes throughout the day adds up more than one long, stressful attempt.

06/01/2026

PSA: Your baby is not “just chilling” in tummy time… they’re basically at the gym. 🏋️‍♀️👶

Let’s talk about PROPPING - aka the moment your baby realises:

“Ey hang on a minute… you want me to lift my head AND push through my arms?!”. Outrageous, I know 😉

So what is propping?

Propping = supporting themselves on their tummy using their arms.
First on their forearms (classic), then later up on their hands (advanced mode).

It might look like a tiny thing… but it’s actually one of those secret skills that underpins loads of other milestones.

Because when your baby props, they’re practising:
• head control
• strong shoulders + arms
• core strength
• weight bearing through their arms
• learning how to shift weight so they can reach and grab toys like a tiny boss

And this is what helps lead into things like:

✨ rolling
✨ pushing up higher
✨ getting onto hands and knees
✨ crawling
✨ and eventually moving towards pulling up and cruising

So if tummy time feels like:
• 3 seconds of effort
• followed by immediate complaints
• followed by face-planting
… that’s normal 🤷🏼‍♀️ at least to begin with!

Your baby is just building the strength to eventually prop like a pro.

📌 Save this, because in my next video I’ll show you exactly how to help them get into a good propping position!

Tell me - is tummy time going well, or is it currently your baby’s least favourite hobby? 👇

05/01/2026

Watching your child do something hard is honestly… a bit painful sometimes 🫣

My youngest is 16 months and he’s currently determined to climb our Pikler set. He wants to do it so badly - but he also finds it tricky.

He’ll pause, wobble, get frustrated, sometimes even look at me like, “Mum… help me man?!”

And every part of me wants to just scoop him up and pop him where he’s trying to get to. But I don’t.

Not because I’m being harsh… but because this is where so much learning happens.

That little bit of discomfort - the “oof this is hard” moment - is actually his brain working overtime.

He’s figuring out where his feet go.
How far he can reach.
How to shift his weight.
What’s safe. What isn’t.
And how to keep going even when it’s not smooth.

That’s motor planning. And it’s massive.

And what’s really lovely to see is that every time he gets it (even just one step higher than before) you can see the confidence hit his face 🥹

So yes, I’m right there with him.
I’m close. I’m calm. I’m watching.
But I’m not rescuing straight away.

Because kids don’t build confidence by being saved from every struggle. They build it by doing hard things with someone they trust nearby.

If your little one is in a phase of “I want to do it BUT I can’t quite do it”… you’re not alone.

Let them try.
Stay close.
And remind them: “I’m right here. You’ve got this.”

What’s your child currently working hard at?

⚽🏉 Want to give your child the best possible start to the upcoming season?Whether they’re chasing personal bests, starti...
20/07/2025

⚽🏉 Want to give your child the best possible start to the upcoming season?

Whether they’re chasing personal bests, starting their first competitive season, or just love their sport, how their body is moving now can shape their performance - and their injury risk - for months to come.

At RVCP, we’re now offering Pre-Season Sports Performance & Injury Prevention sessions, which are designed to help children and teens aged 8–18 move better, feel stronger and perform with confidence from day one.

It’s not just about preventing injuries (though that’s a big part of it ❤️‍🩹) - it’s about helping them reach their full potential with the right support for their growing body 💪

What we’ll do during their session:

👣 Full movement screening by a specialist paediatric physio to check flexibility, control, balance and joint alignment

💪 Strength, agility and coordination testing based on the sport they play

👟 Footwear advice – including what to look for when choosing football or rugby boots (if relevant)

🧠 Sport-specific injury risk breakdown, based on their age, training load, and body type

🏋️‍♂️ Tailored home exercise programme – designed to boost performance, support recovery and reduce the risk of injury across the season

We’ll also talk about how their training or growth may be affecting how they move, and give simple, practical strategies to help them feel their best on and off the pitch.

⸻

📍 Based in Skipton (despite our business name!)
🗓️ Limited availability – these pre-season sessions are booking up fast!

👉 Help your child step into the season stronger, faster and more prepared than ever.

Book their session now - and give them the support they need to thrive this season.

(Link also in bio)

Address

The Wheel House, Broughton Hall Business Estate
Skipton
BD233AG

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+447519354998

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