Island Kids Physio
202-3550 Saanich Road V8X 1X2 Victoria, BC, Canada

Physio Tori is taking over Insta today to give you a bit of a Day In The Life as a Kids Physio physiotherapist and awesome person As our newest physio, Tori has been such an incredible addition to our team, starting her job in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic and all of the challenges that has brought. We are so proud of her and so happy to have her on our team - her clients are so lucky to have her caring for them! #instagramtakeover #makingphysiofun #dayinthelife #staffspotlight #pedipt #kidsphysio

BACKPACKS Physio Rachelle is talking about backpacks today in our Stories! Client O brought in her school bags and her spunk for a fun series about the Dos and Donts of backpack wearing! DO:... Wear BOTH straps Distribute weight evenly Tighten straps so the bag sits up high on the hips DONT: Load backpack greater than ~15% of a childs body weight Choose a backpack that is too large - this will make it too easy to overload, and will result in the bag hanging down too low Head to Stories for more info! #wemakephysiofun #pedipt #physioforkids #backtoschool #backpacksafety #posture #yyj #yyjmom #yyjkids See more

KINDERGARTEN READINESS EDUCATION Attention parents of little ones! It is never too early or late to talk about development! Whether your child is going to kindergarten this year or still a few years away, there are important motor skills that prepare children for success in school! Shirley - a wonderful Kids Physio therapist and busy mom of 3 - is hosting a talk on kindergarten readiness! This two-part webinar, happening Monday September 14 & Monday Sept...ember 21 at 8pm (PT), will go in-depth about motor skills and development for kids aged 4-6 . Check out the Eventbrite page for details and to sign up for this FREE event! LINK IN BIO! We look forward to seeing everyone there! If you have any questions please #wemakephysiofun #pedipt #motordevelopment #kindergartenready #backtoschool #motorskills #education #freewebinar #yyjkids #yyjmoms See more

ORTHOTIST VISIT Physio Rachelle and Physio Tori has the privilege of visiting our friend James Tarrant at Ability Orthotics this week! James is a Certified Orthotist with incredible experience and knowledge, and loves helping kids reach their full physical potential as much as we do! We love working with and learning from him, and he is truly an expert in his field.... Whether its an AFO for a child with cerebral palsy, a helmet for a baby with plagiocephaly (flat head), or custom wedges for a toe walker, working with a knowledgeable orthotist helps us provide the most comprehensive care for all our clients! At Kids Physio, we are always working with a childs wider team (surgeons, OTs, SLPs, orthotists, behavioural interventionists, and more!) to help our clients reach ALL of their goals and truly maximize their physical potential. We love our health care teammates! #wemakephysiofun #pedipt #interdisciplinarycare #weloveorthotists #learningfromourcolleagues #afo #headshape #toewalking #yyjkids #yyjmoms See more

FRIDAY FUN Our hilarious client K just couldnt help himself when Physio Tori attempted to video him walking #wemakephysiofun #kidsphysio #pedipt #kidsarethebest #borntomove #yyjmom #yyjkids #fridayfun

SPASTICITY Following up on our post about tone, now lets talk about spasticity! Spasticity is a velocity-dependent increase in muscle tone, meaning that the faster a muscle is moved or stretched, the greater the resistance to that movement/stretch.... We see spasticity in neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy or brain injury. In physiotherapy, we address spasticity through bracing/splinting (like those awesome AFOs some of our kids get to wear!), positioning (like wheelchair and other seating solutions), stretching , and strengthening ! (Yes, we absolutely need to strengthen in the presence of spasticity - just in the right way!) Check out our Stories for a few exercises we may use for kids with spasticity in their calf muscles, adductors (inner thigh muscles) or hand muscles. #wemakephysiofun #pedipt #kidsphysio #spasticity #cerebralpalsy #braininjury #yyjkids #yyjmoms #yyjfamily See more

POSTURAL REFLEX: HEAD RIGHTING Postural reflexes are automatic movements that involve more mature movement patterns than primitive reflexes. These reflexes replace primitive reflexes as the nervous system matures and higher brain centres take control. Head righting appears in babies as early as 2 months old. When a baby is tipped to one side, muscles on the opposite side of the neck contract and the head tilts in the opposite direction, in order to keep babys eyes l...evel with the horizon. Head righting is involved in the development of mature rolling. As physios, we use head righting to help treat torticollis. This reflex helps us encourage strengthening on the weakened side of the neck. Tip: do this in a mirror! Babies love to look at themselves! #wemakephysiofun #pedipt #kidsphysio #posturalreflexes #headrighting #infantdevelopment #motordevelopment #yyjkids #yyjmoms #yyjfamily See more

FRIDAY FUN These two sisters are working hard to rehab separate injuries, together! (Though sometimes we wonder how friendly this sister vs sister competition is! ).... #wemakephysiofun #friendlycompetition #sisters #balance #squigz #kidsphysio #pedipt #teenathlete #anklerehab #fracturerecovery #physiowithfriends

TONE We talk a lot about muscle tone around here - so what is it?! Muscle tone is a skeletal muscles inherent resistance to passive movement, or, more simply, the amount of tension in a muscle at rest.... We need a certain amount of tone in our muscles to hold us up against gravity, but too much or too little tone can lead to challenges with movement and position. HYPERtonia is higher than normal tone, which can make it challenging to move a muscle through its full range. Hypertonia appears in a variety of diagnoses, including cerebral palsy and other brain and spinal cord injury. HYPOtonia is lower than normal tone. It takes more active muscular control to stabilize these muscles, and individuals with hypotonia often present with low core stability. We use strengthening and stretching activities to develop muscle control and stability. Check out our Stories for a few exercise ideas! #wemakephysiofun #pedipt #kidsphysio #motormilestones #motordevelopment #hypertonia #hypotonia #centralstability #yyjkids #yyjmoms #yyjfamily See more

MOTOR MILESTONE: ROLLING We love having baby Xander around to show us motor milestone development in real time ! Rolling is a skill babies develop between 3 and 6 months of age.... Rolling is important for: Strengthening the neck, back, and core muscles, which are essential for the development of postural control Developing bilateral coordination - the use of both sides of the body together - which is important for crawling, walking, and more! While it is more common to see babies roll from tummy to back first, this isnt always the case. Also, babies will often prefer to roll in one direction (to the right or left) for a while before learning the other side. Some tips to encourage rolling: Help baby play in side lying Place favourite toys to the side to encourage baby to look for them - rolling begins with turning the head and the body then follows! Make sure baby gets lots of floor time to explore their body and how it moves! #wemakephysiofun #pedipt #kidsphysio #motormilestones #motordevelopment #infantdevelopment #babyphysio #yyjkids #yyjmoms #yyjfamily See more

We are so thrilled to be able to re-open online booking! We know that our online booking site is such a convenient way to make your appointments (we you @janerunsclinics ) and are so glad we can offer this again. Head to our booking site through the link in our bio to book your appointments today! When booking online, please be aware that we MAY have to shift your appointment time to accommodate our COVID-19 restrictions and precautions. We will give you a call if ...this is the case, so book away and leave the rest to us! #wemakephysiofun #pedipt #kidsphysio #onlinebooking #jane #yyjkids #yyjmoms #yyjfamily See more

WEEKEND WORKOUT Physio Tori has another weekend workout for you guys! 3 Rounds... 30s on/30s off Butt Kicks Mountain Climbers Lunges Plank Up-Downs Squats Get outside and give this quick burner a try this weekend! #weekendworkout #kidsfitness #teenathlete #wemakeworkingoutfun #pedipt #yyjkids #yyjmom #yyjfamily

PRIMITIVE REFLEX: PALMAR GRASP The palmar grasp reflex is seen in utero, as early as 16-25 weeks gestation. When a babys palm is touched or stroked, the babys fingers close around the object (often a finger) and remain closed (clinging or gripping). This reflex is thought to contribute to development of the basic motor pattern that eventually leads to the voluntary ability to grasp an object.... This reflex integrates around 5-6 months of age. Retention of a strong grasp reflex is seen in children with spastic cerebral palsy. It can also reappear in adults with neurological injury. There is also a PLANTAR grasp reflex, in which stroking the bottom of a babys foot leads to tight curling of the TOES. Check out our Stories for more! #wemakephysiofun #pedipt #primitivereflexes #grasp #motordevelopment #reflexintegration #infantreflexes #infantdevelopment #yyjmom See more

CANADA DAY His mum may be from England and his dad from New Zealand, but Baby Xander is loving being Canadian this Canada Day! We @islandkidsphysio acknowledge that we work, gather, and raise our children on the unceded traditional territories of the Lekwungen-speaking Peoples of the Songhees, Esquimalt, and WSANEC Nations. We are committed to listening, learning, and humbly taking steps toward reconciliation.

HYPERMOBILITY We see lots of kids and teens who have some level of hypermobility, whether it be in only one or two joints, or be more widespread. Hypermobility occurs often as simply a greater than normal movement at a joint, and can cause no issues at all! Sometimes, however, we see young athletes who have increased movement at a joint that is causing pain or injury. When this happens, our Physio goals are to:... STABILIZE STRENGTHEN PREVENT FURTHER INJURY A physiotherapist can assess where there is increased mobility, determine which muscle groups are weak or lacking appropriate activation, and design a program specific to that individuals needs! This way, kids can continue to participate in activities they love while remaining safe, strong, and physically fit! Check out our Stories for a few favourite stability exercises for the shoulder, ankle, and, because it is the foundation for all stability, the core! It is important to note that hypermobility can be a more widespread issue and can actually be a sign of another underlying condition, such as Ehlers Danlos, Marfans, or Joint Hypermobility Syndrome. While these conditions are more serious and require additional intervention, a physiotherapist-directed program of stabilization, strengthening, and injury prevention is essential to allowing these kids and teens to reach their maximum physical potential! #wemakephysiofun #pedipt #physioforkids #hypermobility #stability #strength #injuryprevention #yyjkids #yyjmom #yyjfamily #teenathlete #youthsport See more

PRIMITIVE REFLEX: ATNR Primitive reflexes are automatic movements seen in infants in response to a specific stimulus or position. The Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR) is first seen in babies between 0-2 months. When a babys head turns to one side, the arm and leg on that side extend, while the arm and leg on the other side flex. ... This reflex is important for: Early hand-eye coordination Providing vestibular input Influencing muscle tone The reflex usually integrates (goes away) between 4-6 months. Reflex integration occurs as babies mature neurologically, gaining the ability to voluntarily control their movements. Check out our Stories and follow along over the next several weeks as we discuss more of these important Primitive Reflexes! #wemakephysiofun #pedipt #primitivereflexes #atnr #motordevelopment #reflexintegration #infantreflexes #infantdevelopment #yyjmom #yyjkids

#blackouttuesday

Our colleagues @torontokidsphysio said it beautifully. These are our core values. We are listening. We are learning. We are here at the clinic together for the first time in months! We want to celebrate this momentous occasion. However, in these times we feel it especially important to be grounded in our core values. We will never understand, but we can be allies. We make good mistakes. We learn. We educate. We put patients and families first. We will continue to advocate for all our clients. We will stand in front of and beside families to fight to make sure everyone gets the equitable treatment they deserve.

FITNESS FRIDAY Physio Tori has a great workout for you all today! 3 rounds, 5 exercises. ... Do each movement for 30 seconds, then rest for 15s before moving on to the next. Jumping Jacks Bicycle Kicks Plank Squat Jumps Toe Taps Get after it this weekend! #fitnessfriday #kidsphysiowod #workoutathome #teenathletes #youthsports #prehab #wemakephysiofun #pedipt

IN-CLINIC SESSIONS We are thrilled to be able to once again offer (limited) in-clinic sessions, starting May 26! This will look very different from normal, with limited hours, only one Physio in the clinic at a time, and stringent precautions and procedures to ensure everyones safety.... We will also be continuing to provide world-class Physio virtually, and this option is still recommended for many of our clients. If you are interested in booking an in-clinic visit, or would like to discuss how this will look, please reach out via phone or email! We would LOVE to hear from you! And check your email inbox for regular updates with more info, coming throughout the week! Looking forward to seeing some of you in person, and to continuing to see many of you virtually! No matter what, we will continue to provide fun, world-class Physio for the babies, kids, and teens of Vancouver Island! #weSTILLmakephysiofun #inclinic #virtual #physioforkids #pedipt #yyjkids #yyjmom #comingbackslowly #somuchcleaning

FITNESS FRIDAY Physio Tori is back today with 3 exercises for improved posture! We are all spending a lot more time at our computers these days, with virtual school, Physio, and even play dates! This can lead to neck pain and stiffness from poor head and neck posture. ... Head to our Stories to see Toris three exercises, as well as some advice for improved head and neck posture during this time of increased screen use! (Also, her adorable dog )! #weSTILLmakephysiofun #pedipt #fitnessfriday #posture #headforwardposture #neckstretches #kidsphysio

FITNESS FRIDAY: GLUTES! Welcome to our first Fitness Friday, where our newest physio Tori is going to bring some knowledge and teach you some of her favourite glute strengthening exercises! Head to our Stories to check it out! And send Tori some love - we cant wait for you all to get to see her for real in clinic!... #weSTILLmakephysiofun #fitnessfriday #glutestrength #pelvicstability #prehab #rehab #youthathletes #physioforkids

PHYSIO RACHELLE LIVE WITH @motheringtouch975 We are so excited to join Eva from Mothering Touch LIVE on Facebook tomorrow! Physio Rachelle will be answering questions from the community about infant development, motor milestones, and all things kids and physiotherapy! AND, she will be joined by special guests Physio Sam and baby Xander for some real-life demonstration! ... Get yourselves over to Mothering Touchs Facebook tomorrow, and dont forget to send your questions (hit up @motheringtouch975 Instagram Stories!). See you there! #motormilestones #physiolive #infantdevelopment #questiontime #torticollis #plagiocephaly #tummytime #communityeducation #welovemotheringtouch #yyjfamily #yyjkids #yyjmom

Great info from our @kidsphysio Vancouver colleagues on DCD! Check it out ! Yesterday @physio_alyssa went LIVE to talk about Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). In case you missed it heres some information to help you understand DCD and how it manifests in children. Have you thought:... My son doesnt want to go outside at recess, can he keep up with his friends? Ive been trying to teach my daughter to jump rope for weeks and she just cant seem to get it I have two kids and the younger one seems to be stronger/ faster/ better at sports than the older one We hear this every single day and its AMAZING how much seeing a physiotherapist can help these kids gain confidence and learn skills in a different way so they can finally keep up with their peers (and siblings) Thank you for joining us yesterday! DM us if you have anymore questions! #physiotherapy #babies #movement #kneeling #wemakephysiofun #vancouverphysio #kidsphysio #kidsphysiotherapists #instababies #DCD #developmentalcoordinationdisorder #running #jumping #biking #playing See more

KidsPhysioWOD: EARTH DAY Happy Earth Day! Feeling extra grateful for our beautiful Earth and the incredible opportunities it gives us for movement, exercise, and motor development. ... Todays WOD is simple: get moving outdoors (in a physically-distanced way of course), and be thankful for the wonderful planet we call home. Hike a mountain Wade in the ocean Ride a bike Take a nature walk ...and more! (Also, wear some rain gear if youre local - its a wet one in Victoria today! ) #earthday #getmovingoutside #welovetheearth #motordevelopment #movementbreak #homeschoolpe #naturewalk #westcoastbestcoast #yyjkids #yyjfamily #yyjmom #pedipt #physioforkids

WELCOME BABY XANDER We are so thrilled to welcome the newest member of our Kids Physio Victoria team! Co-owner Sam and her partner Dan welcomed the sweetest baby boy on April 4, and we are so thankful for his safe arrival, in the midst of this crazy time. Sam, you are a hero! ... Welcome to the team, Xander Taine Martin! You are perfect in every way! (And stay tuned for lots of education on those newborn motor milestones now that we have the best little baby model ever!) #goodnews #welcomebaby #newteammember #strongmum #newbornmotorskills #sweetlittleboy #pedipt #kidsphysio

EASTER EGG HUNT (with a KidsPhysio twist!) Need a fun way to get a movement break in today, and practice those egg-hunting skills for Easter? Try our Physio-Approved Easter Egg Hunt! ... Choose your movements (jumping jacks, squats, push-ups, or whatever you like!), write or print them on scraps of paper, hide them in the eggs, and get hunting! Each time you find an egg, do the movement inside for as many reps or as long as you like, then search for the next one! This can add up to a great little workout for both kids and grown-ups! If you would like a printable of the movements we chose today, just send us a DM with your email address and we will pass it on to you! (Also, it is important to note we highly approve other forms of Easter Egg Hunts too!) #weSTILLmakephysiofun #movementbreak #stayhomeandmove #easterexercise #egghuntworkout #kidsactivitiesathome #yyjmom #yyjfamily #yyjkids #pedipt #kidsphysio

THIS #Repost @kidsphysio with @get_repost WOW. Parents... were always amazed by you, but these past few weeks have been something special. ... A lot is being asked of you right now. You were already superheroes in our eyes, but adding stay-at-home-ALL-the-time-parent, teacher, and therapist on top of that? Unbelievable. Many of our team members are in the trenches with you, and dont let our fun obstacle courses fool you... its too big of a job description. Its TOO HARD!!! Have grace with yourself and your family. As your friendly neighbourhood experts on childrens development, we have to tell you... your kids will be fine. Whatever youre able to do for them is #goodenough. Your kids ate something today? GREAT JOB!!! You went outside?!? INCREDIBLE! You didnt do your physio exercises? No judgment here! Youre still killing it. Virtual therapy is a tool. Its imperfect, and hard, and we recognize that- especially parents of high needs kiddos- were asking a lot from you. But please know that we want to help in any way that we can, and were really, really proud of you. Hang in there parents. Well get through this together. #thisishard #kidsphysio #kpg #physiotherapy #kidsphysiotherapy #wemakephysiofun #parents #yvrmoms #torontomoms #parentsupport See more

Its only been a few days but we miss seeing everyone already! We have spent the past week figuring out how we can continue to put YOU- our patients and families- first during these challenging and uncertain times. And we have a solution! We are now offering Telehealth physiotherapy sessions hosted over a secure video call. There are, of course, some limitations to virtual sessions, but we are confident in our ability to provide the following benefits to your child: conti...nue to work towards physiotherapy goals and prevent interruption in progress keep kids engaged and active during this period observe clients in their home environment to add to our clinical picture provide education, support and answer any questions all from the safety of your home! We invite you to schedule a 10 Minute Phone Consultation at the clinic nearest to you, so we can discuss whether this type of appointment will be appropriate for your family, and make a plan together. There is no cost and, of course, no obligation to these. We genuinely want to work with you to determine what is best for your child. You can use the link in our bio to find a time that works for you. Thank you for adapting to these unexpected circumstances with us. We appreciate your understanding and support, and are dedicated to continuing to deliver high-quality, FUN physiotherapy services with as little interruption as possible!

Gathering up some gear for Telerehab... #staytuned #workingonit #keepingupwithphysio #socialdistancing #virtualphysiotherapy #telerehab

were pulling together, by staying apart We have made the difficult decision - for your safety, for the safety of our team, and because its the right thing to do right now - to close all seven Kids Physio Group clinics for the remainder of the month, starting today, Monday, March 16th. One of our core values is to put patients and families first. Since we work with a very vulnerable client population, we are unwilling to put them, their families, and society as a whole at... risk during this time. We believe the health and safety of all must be prioritized during this challenging time, and therefore a temporary closure is the prudent action to take. Please know how absolutely delighted and grateful we would be to continue to serve you with virtual physiotherapy sessions. If you feel this would be helpful and appropriate for your family, please give your clinic a call or email to discuss logistics. #covid19 #flattenthecurve #thisishard

STAIR CLIMBING Climbing stairs is a skill that babies and toddlers are often excited to learn, possibly before they are ready (hence the need for baby gates)! But when should a child begin climbing stairs, and what will it look like? How can we encourage the development of this skill in a safe and age-appropriate way? Generally, stair climbing progresses:... Crawling Walking Up Down Handrail/Hand-hold Hands-free Age of Skill Development: 15 - 17 Months: Crawls up and down stairs (usually backward when going down) 1.5 - 2 Years: Begins to walk UP stairs using hand-hold or handrail, with a step-to pattern (both feet touch each step before progressing to the next) 2 - 2.5 Years: Walks UP stairs with handrail and reciprocal pattern (alternating feet), and may begin to walk DOWN stairs with handrail and step-to pattern 2.5 - 3 Years: Walks UP stairs with handrail and reciprocal pattern and DOWN stairs with handrail and step-to pattern 3 Years +: Walks UP and DOWN stairs with reciprocal pattern, decreasing reliance on handrail as confidence increases (Remember, all of these ages are an AVERAGE, and all kids develop at their own pace! If you are worried, you can make an appointment with a pediatric physiotherapist to have your child assessed, but without an underlying condition they are likely just developing at their own perfectly normal pace.) As always, make sure you are letting your child explore stairs and learn to climb in a SAFE manner - dont leave toddlers alone on stairs! Supervise their learning and encourage them to try while you are there to assist if they need. #wemakephysiofun #pedipt #physioforkids #motordevelopment #stairclimbing #grossmotordevelopment #grossmotorskills #tottuesday #yyjmoms #yyjkids #yyjfamily

At the CFB Esquimalt Military Base today for the MARPAC Family Health and Wellness Expo! Loving meeting so many people and talking all about how #wemakephysiofun at Kids Physio! #cfbesquimalt #familyexpo #wemakephysiofun #yyj #yyjfamily #pedipt #kidsphysio

TESTIMONIAL TUESDAY Some more kind words from one of our wonderful families! We are so proud of our team and how we all help kids and their families #testimonialtuesday #pedipt #kidsphysio #wemakephysiofun #clientlove

THROWBACK THURSDAY Anyone remember this game?! Perfection is a new favourite around here for working on fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and of course we can always add a challenge by having to play in a plank position! #wemakephysiofun #games #finemotor #corestability #throwbackthursday #pedipt #kidsphysio

WELCOME TORI! We are so thrilled to welcome our new physiotherapist, Tori, to the team! Tori grew up on the Sunshine Coast in Powell River, BC. She completed her Bachelor of Athletic and Exercise Therapy here in Victoria, and then went overseas to Dublin, Ireland to complete her Professional Masters in Physiotherapy. During her studies, Tori gained vast experience with athletes of all types, working from junior hockey up to the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL !... While studying in Dublin, Tori was able to travel to Southeast India to volunteer at an orphanage for children with disabilities. Tori enjoys the outdoors and can be found hiking in Gowlland Tod Provincial Park, playing hockey, or climbing at the local gym. Tori is so excited to join the Kids Physio Victoria team, and we cant wait for you all to meet her! She will be in the clinic shadowing and learning about how #wemakephysiofun over the next few weeks, so say hi when you see her! Welcome to the team, Tori! #dreamteam #pedipt #kidsphysio #newphysio #welcome #yyj #yyjmom #yyjkids #physiotherapy

SQUAT TO PLAY Ever see a toddler play like this? Toddlers have the most beautiful deep squat and will often spend time in this position to play (making all us adults jealous of their incredible mobility!).... We this position and often guide parents to find ways to encourage this position for play in their toddler, especially if we have any concerns such as toe-walking, decreased hip strength, or altered lower limb mobility. Even in typically-developing toddlers, deep squat play is fantastic for: Hip, knee, and ankle range of motion Trunk and core muscle development Increasing strength in the leg muscles, especially quads and glutes as toddlers stand up and go down into this position - doing SQUATS! Toddlers are amazing and we love to watch them develop these skills! Lets all channel our inner toddler and try and spend some time in a deep squat today! #wemakephysiofun #babymilestones #physiotherapy #babies #movement #squattoplay #kidsphysio #pedipt #instababies #babyphysio #yyj #yyjmom #yyjfamily #yyjkids #victoriamoms