Small Strides Physical Therapy

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Newburyport, MA
Small Strides Physical Therapy

Small Strides PT is a private, mobile, pediatric PT business created by Erin Ward PT, DPT

02/17/2025

Baby containers are a wonderful choice to give yourself a moment, but ultimately should be used sparingly. The more time your baby is stuck in a container the less time they are on the ground moving freely in age appropriate ways.

One of my favorite ways to decrease container time is to GET YOUR BABY OUT OF THEIR CARSEAT. Once you are done in the car, place them in an alternative, such as a baby wearing or a stroller bassinet. These allow for slightly more movement and don’t restrict your baby the way a car seat does.

Follow along for more guidance on early development, torticollis and flat head from a pediatric PT and mom of two. ♥️

01/09/2025

Looking back on 2024 I feel very fortunate to have worked with so many amazing families. I can’t wait to see all the incredible littles coming my way in 2025! ♥️♥️

12/17/2024

What does this mean? Why does this matter?

Well, often when changes are noted in a babies face or head shape, recommendations are to wait and monitor for improvements and then refer for a helmet assessment.

This research study shows that a helmet will not entirely fix the underlying problems that most likely have lead to your baby getting flatness through their skull or changes in their facial development. These babies have a high likelihood of abnormalities in their neck muscles that can contribute to continued asymmetries and difficulty with movement.

If your child has facial or cranial asymmetries they should be assessed as soon as possible by a pediatric therapist.

Follow along for more information on torticollis/side preferences, plagiocephaly/head flatness and early development from a pediatric PT and mom of two. ♥️

Data taken from the APTA clinical practice guidelines.

12/01/2024

Come join Ally, from , and myself for a tummy time class you won’t forget! Mini Movers class meets your baby where they’re at and helps to make movement fun, as well as answers any developmental questions you have about infant feeding, early milestones, baby containers, side preferences, flat head and so much more!

11/12/2024

Ally and I are excited to be hosting our Tummy Time Mini Movers class on Wednesday December 4th at 11-12. Come and learn how to progress your child’s developmental skills and ask all your questions about feeding, sensory, containers, torticollis/side preference, torticollis/flat head, and so much more!

10/31/2024

ITS NOT JUST ABOUT HEAD SHAPE!!!

The number of times I have heard the phrase “it’s just cosmetic” about the shape of a head or symmetry of a face, is truly baffling. The development of a head ultimately dictates the development of 👂, 👀, and 👄. Within these structures we house our balance, vision, and speech centers, all of which are vital for a child’s well being.

Additionally, a study cited within the 2024 APTA Torticollis Clinical Practice Guidelines show that children with asymmetries in their head and face have as much as a 22-fold increase in abnormal sonograms for congenital muscular torticollis. More needs to be done for these children than just referring for a helmet because it’s more than just a cosmetic fix.

If your child has plagiocephaly, flat head, or changes in their facial features reach out to a local infant therapist today!

Follow along for guidance around the early development, torticollis/side preference, and flat head/plagiocephaly from a pediatric PT and mom of two. ♥️

Sargent, Barbara PT, PhD, PCS; Coulter, Colleen PT, DPT, PhD, PCS; Cannoy, Jill PT, DPT, PCS; Kaplan, Sandra L. PT, DPT, PhD, FAPTA. Physical Therapy Management of Congenital Muscular Torticollis: A 2024 Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline From the American Physical Therapy Association Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy. Pediatric Physical Therapy 36(4):p 370-421, October 2024. | DOI: 10.1097/PEP.0000000000001114

10/24/2024

Far too often, I get reports of “lazy babies”. I am here to tell you there is no such thing. Babies are not lazy. They want to move and if they aren’t, there is usually some tightness and/or weakness contributing to their difficulties. If your baby isn’t demonstrating age appropriate developmental milestones reach out to a local therapist today to help them feel good in their bodies and get moving!

Follow along for more guidance around early development, torticollis and plagiocephaly from a pediatric PT and mom of two. ♥️

08/29/2024

Dr. Stephanie are excited to offer our complementary head shape screenings again! If you have concerns about your baby’s head shape, please don’t wait, reach out to schedule an assessment today!

08/26/2024

⭐️ In office treatments will now be available in Hamilton, MA starting 9/5! They will take place on Thursdays. ⭐️

I am so excited to share a space with and where we can provide support and education for both babies and their parents in one spot.

Please DM me or reach out to smallstridespt@gmail.com with any questions or to schedule your baby’s evaluation today!

08/13/2024

I truly believe that there is no way to know what a child is able to achieve until you allow them to reach for the stars. Instead of limiting them, let’s give them the support to make their dreams happen.

07/08/2024

What do YOU need to know about torticollis?

1. While there can be different causes of torticollis such as vision issues or vestibular problems, most often it is muscular in nature. It is caused by tightness in the Sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) which causes the head to tilt one way and turn the other.

2. If left untreated torticollis can result in head flatness, facial changes or asymmetrical development (rolling only one way, using one hand more than the other).

3. Early detection and treatment are key. Never be afraid to advocate for your child and push for support as soon as you notice any sign of a side preference.

Follow along for more guidance around torticollis, plagiocephaly and early development.

05/21/2024

Need I say more?!? ⭐️

Side sitting is really a powerhouse static position that packs so much in. More than anything, it provides children with the functional ability to engage with their environment, which is my biggest goal as a pediatric therapist. While static positions are essential, if they don’t lead to movement, they loose so much of their purpose.

Does your child have trouble with movement, avoids side sitting, rolling or crawling? DM to discuss how pediatric PT can help! ❤️

Address

Newburyport, MA

Telephone

+19782553606

Website

https://www.smallstridespt.com/

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