| When we speak of physiotherapy as a treatment | | | | Early intervention physiotherapy for Down |
| for children suffering from Down syndrome, it | | | | syndrome focuses on rectifying weakness issues |
| must be kept in mind that Down syndrome is a | | | | and teaching general motor skills to children. Acts |
| condition that can never be completely treated. | | | | like rolling over, crawling, sitting up, and walking all |
| Physiotherapy is used not so much to treat the | | | | are motor skills that children ultimately have to |
| syndrome as to alleviate the complications peculiar | | | | learn. With the assistance of a physiotherapist, |
| to children afflicted by Down syndrome. | | | | these skills are taught such that the children have |
| Treatment in the early stages of a child with | | | | a strong foundation upon which to base other |
| Down syndrome concentrates on addressing four | | | | motor skills. |
| problems common in this phase. The first among | | | | In the treatment of children who have Down |
| these is hypotonia. Children with Down syndrome | | | | syndrome, a major hurdle is educating parents on |
| do not have muscle tone, meaning their muscles | | | | what aspects of their child's growth should be |
| are slack and lack control. Hypotonia requires | | | | brought to the attention of a doctor, and |
| immediate attention since if left untreated it | | | | subsequently a physiotherapist. Parents often do |
| hampers a child ability to develop sufficient motor | | | | not know what actually requires the attention of |
| skills or balance. | | | | a therapist, because there are several things in |
| A child suffering from Down syndrome also has | | | | their child that are unlike other children. |
| extremely loose ligaments. Their bones are not | | | | For example, if a child with Down syndrome is |
| adequately supported and their joints remain too | | | | unable to hold her neck upright, it is imperative |
| loose to allow normal mobility in later years. The | | | | that the doctor is informed at once so that a |
| early signs of lax ligaments are seen in children | | | | physiotherapist can treat the child and assist her |
| with splayed legs while lying down. | | | | to strengthen the muscles in her neck. |
| Physiotherapy, with the correct exercises, is | | | | Physiotherapy, once started, should ideally be a |
| essential to rectify the muscular weakness | | | | life-long routine for a Down syndrome afflicted |
| present in children with Down syndrome. Incorrect | | | | child, as it will help them maintain their fitness and |
| treatment of these issues leads to further | | | | health. People suffering from Down syndrome live |
| complication like locked knees, which develop to | | | | as long as other people, and may not be as |
| make up for the lack of strength in the lower | | | | well-equipped to deal with age-related issues like |
| legs. Such reactions are very harmful in the | | | | weakening bones, ligaments or muscles. Continues |
| future. | | | | physiotherapy helps a person living with Down to |
| Such children also face problems with their body | | | | live a healthy life. |
| shape. They have disproportionate limbs in | | | | Physiotherapy for these children is not given its |
| comparison to their torsos, which leads to | | | | due importance till matters often go out of hand. |
| complications in the way the sit or climb stairs. | | | | Permanent weaknesses result, leading to odd |
| Something as simple as reaching out for food can | | | | behavior and disfigurement that could have been |
| be an arduous task for affected children. | | | | avoided with a little more care. Down syndrome |
| Physiotherapy addresses issues such as these and | | | | physiotherapy should be started as soon as |
| helps these children on towards a semblance of | | | | possible so that the child can lead a better, |
| normal life. | | | | healthier life. |