Alex's Place - Paediatric Physiotherapy Service - Vojta,NDT Bobath,SI,CST

26/01/2026

Building upper limb strength and shoulder girdle stability is never just about the arms.

In paediatric physiotherapy, work on the hands and shoulders is always closely linked to postural control and trunk stability. When a child supports weight through the arms, reaches, pushes, or transitions between positions, the body must coordinate the shoulder girdle with the core to maintain alignment and control.

During these activities, we focus on:

• improving weight bearing through the upper limbs,

• developing shoulder girdle stability,

• supporting proximal control as the foundation for distal movement,

• enhancing trunk activation and postural responses during functional tasks.

Using dynamic surfaces, changes in position, and purposeful play allows us to challenge strength, balance, and coordination in a way that is meaningful and engaging for the child. This integrated approach stimulates the nervous system to adapt and respond, building functional, transferable, and relevant strength for everyday activities. This is crucial not only for upper limb function, but also for overall movement quality, endurance, and confidence in daily life

Functional strength always starts from the centre.

23/01/2026

New challenges like standing can sometimes feel overwhelming — but this time, the 🎈 turned out to be a real game changer.
With the right motivation, hard work becomes play, and confidence grows step by step.

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17/01/2026

A Promising New Approach in Spasticity Management: Cryoneurolysis 🤓

Cryoneurolysis is an emerging medical technique used to temporarily reduce spasticity by applying controlled cold to a selected peripheral nerve. The cooling process disrupts nerve conduction by affecting the myelin sheath, which leads to a reduction in excessive muscle tone. Importantly, the nerve itself remains intact and gradually regenerates, making the effect reversible.

This approach is often compared to botulinum toxin (Botox), as both aim to reduce spasticity. However, cryoneurolysis may offer several potential advantages:

✔️ no toxin is injected into the body,

✔️ effects may last longer than Botox,

✔️ the treatment is highly localised and targeted,

✔️ fewer systemic side effects have been reported.

The procedure is performed by a trained doctor, usually under ultrasound guidance, and is typically carried out as an outpatient treatment. As with any spasticity intervention, physiotherapy is essential after the procedure to maximise the benefits of reduced tone and to work on movement quality, alignment, and functional skills.

At present, most research and clinical experience with cryoneurolysis comes from Canada; however, doctors around the world are being trained, and the method is attracting increasing interest within neurorehabilitation.

It is important to note that cryoneurolysis is not a cure for spasticity. The effects are temporary, and careful patient selection is crucial, particularly in children. When appropriately indicated, however, it may become a valuable alternative or complement to existing spasticity management options.

As always, decisions regarding spasticity treatment should be made by an experienced multidisciplinary team and tailored to the individual needs of the patient.

Sources / Further reading:

• Trescot AM et al. Cryoanalgesia in interventional pain management. Pain Physician, 2003.

• Ilfeld BM, Finneran JJ. Cryoneurolysis and percutaneous peripheral nerve freezing. Anesthesiology, 2020.

• Lad SP et al. Percutaneous cryoneurolysis for spasticity management. PM&R Journal.

• Canadian experience and clinical reports from interventional pain and neurorehabilitation centres.

• Review articles on peripheral nerve injury and regeneration following cryoneurolysis.

09/01/2026

PLAGIOCEPHALY is not only about the time spent on the back.

While excessive time spent lying on the back is the most commonly recognised cause of positional plagiocephaly, it IS NOT THE ONLY factor involved. In many infants, there is a less obvious - but crucial - contributor: the NECK.

When a baby is unable to rotate their head freely to both sides, repeated pressure is placed on the same area of the skull. Over time, this significantly increases the risk of cranial asymmetry. In such cases, standard home positioning strategies alone are often not sufficient.

A paediatric physiotherapist — especially one trained in infant manual therapy — is the right professional to assess and address these restrictions. Treatment involves slow, gentle, and respectful manual techniques aimed at releasing neck restrictions and restoring the baby’s ability to turn the head freely to both sides.

Early identification of obligatory head preferences allows for timely intervention and can help prevent the need for longer and more complex treatment later on. Early intervention focused on releasing the neck is a key preventive step. By improving neck mobility, we not only support more symmetrical head movement but also often enhance overall postural organisation and even eye movement. The earlier this support is provided, the less time and effort are required to prevent cranial deformation.

Within Paediatric Integrative Manual Therapy (PIMT), we look beyond head shape alone. We assess the whole system - neck mobility, postural control, muscle tone, and comfort - to address the underlying cause, not just the visible outcome.

Early support can make a meaningful difference in your child’s development.
If you have concerns about your baby’s head shape, head or body positioning, or neck movement, seeking professional assessment early is key - and at Alex’s Place, we know how to help.

05/01/2026

🧍POSTURE & SYMMETRY – the foundation of healthy movement
Good posture is built on body symmetry.
Symmetry allows the joints to stay in optimal alignment, reduces joint stress and unnecessary muscle activity, and supports healthy body physiology - including emotional regulation.
When a child moves and exercises outside of symmetry:
* compensatory patterns become reinforced,
* the risk of pain and overload increases,
* balance and coordination may be affected,
* overall comfort and emotional well-being can suffer.
That is why, in therapy – from the very early months of life – we focus on:
✔️ correct body alignment
✔️ symmetrical use of both sides of the body
✔️ quality of movement, not just quantity.
Symmetry is not about aesthetics – it is the key to healthy development, efficient movement, and long-term wellbeing.
At Alex’s Place, we understand how crucial symmetry and alignment are for a child’s development.
Our therapy focuses on building balanced movement patterns from the very beginning, supporting comfort, confidence, and long-term wellbeing – not just milestones.
If you have concerns about your child’s posture or movement quality, we are here to guide you safely and thoughtfully through every stage of development.

21/12/2025

MERRY Christmas 🎄🌟 and a HAPPY NEW Year 🎉

10/12/2025

Building strong postural control takes time, consistency and a truly multi-modal approach.
Today we combined dynamic strengthening with sensory input and vibration therapy using the Galileo platform, helping the body learn how to stabilise, react and organise movement more efficiently.

Small steps, repeated often, create meaningful long-term change - and we love seeing this progress every day. 💪✨

08/12/2025

🎄✨ The festive spirit has officially arrived at the clinic!
Today’s session was full of joy, teamwork and a little Christmas magic. 🎅🎁
Who said physiotherapy can’t be fun?
With Santa's hats, cheerful energy and great exercises, we’re getting stronger and more festive at the same time! 💪✨

Wishing everyone a season filled with warmth, progress and smiles 🌟

05/12/2025

🧍POSTURAL CONTROL - why is it so important for a child’s development?

Postural control is the ability to maintain a stable body position - both when still and during movement. Simply put, it is the skill of keeping balance and controlling the body in different positions.

The nervous and muscular systems work continuously to keep the centre of gravity “over the feet”, allowing us to perform everyday activities without falling or losing stability.

When this control is reduced, a child may struggle with balance, sitting, crawling, standing, walking, and even with tasks requiring precision. In such cases, appropriately tailored physiotherapy can be extremely beneficial.

What influences good postural control?
• cooperation of the senses: vision, balance (vestibular system) and proprioception
• automatic muscle reactions that respond to balance disturbances
• a stable “centre of the body”, enabling coordinated and efficient movement of the arms and legs

How can we improve postural control?
• stabilisation exercises
• strengthening of the postural and abdominal muscles
• work on proper alignment of the head, trunk and pelvis
• developmental methods such as:
✔️Vojta Therapy
✔️NDT-Bobat
✔️DMI (Dynamic Movement Intervention) ✔️E-Stim – muscle electrical stimulation ✔️vibration training on the Galileo platform
✔️exercises using resistance band, etc.

Good postural control is the foundation of motor development – from the first roll, through crawling, to independent walking and all later stages of growth.

23/11/2025

18/11/2025

Building strength, balance and confidence – all through play! 💪😊
Pediatric physiotherapy isn’t just about exercises. It’s about creating moments of joy, motivation and success, while supporting children in developing better posture, coordination and motor skills.

Little steps in the right direction make a big difference. 🌟
So proud of this hard work and determination!

17/11/2025

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