Does Your Child Need Therapy For an Autoimmune Disorder?
What Is An Autoimmune Disorder?
Without our immune system, we would all stay sick 100% of the time. Our immune systems work to defend our bodies against a number of infections, diseases, viruses, and bacteria. They are extremely powerful mechanisms that protect us, but in some cases, they can also turn against us. This is what is referred to as an “autoimmune disorder.”
According to the APTA, when a person has an autoimmune disorder, “Instead of differentiating between foreign and native cells, as the body usually does, the immune system perceives parts of the body such as joints, skin, or other organs to be dangerous outsiders and attacks healthy cells by releasing autoantibodies.”
If your child has an autoimmune disorder, he or she may suffer from muscle weakness, a loss of range of motion, and swollen joints. This can make it incredibly difficult for your child to move or play on their own. Thankfully Reavis Rehab & Wellness Center physical therapy in Round Rock, TX can greatly improve your child’s quality of life. Contact our office today to learn more.
Types of Autoimmune Disorders & Their Symptoms
A few autoimmune disorders in children and adolescents are as follows:
- Crohn’s disease: affects gastrointestinal tract
- Addison’s disease: affects adrenal glands
- Type 1 Diabetes: affects the pancreas
- Multiple Sclerosis(MS): affects the central nervous system
- Juvenile Arthritis: affected the joints and mobility, causes joint pain and inflammation
Although autoimmune disorders are rare in children, when they do occur, they can be difficult for most doctors to treat.
Some of the common physical symptoms your child may show if they have an autoimmune disorder can be found below:
- Dizziness
- Complaining of being tired often
- Joint stiffness or pain
- Weight loss
- Muscle weakness
- Coordination problems
Bringing your child to see one of our licensed physical therapists at Reavis Rehab & Wellness Center offers many benefits. A physical therapist will be able to help restore any physical abilities that have degenerated or been completely lost due to joint pain and muscle weakness. If you’ve noticed that your child struggles with any of the symptoms listed above, it’s a good idea to make an appointment to visit a pediatric therapist in Round Rock, TX.
How Can Reavis Rehab & Wellness Center Help My Child?
Physical therapy is a proven safe, natural, and effective mode of treatment for children with autoimmune disorders. Here at Reavis Rehab & Wellness Center, one of our skilled pediatric physical therapists will do a full assessment of your child’s strength, range of motion, coordination, medical history, and flexibility.
From there, your child will have a customized treatment plan created for him or her that will consist of strengthening exercises, stretches, and other techniques to improve their muscle strength, stamina, coordination, loosen stiff joints, and more.
Contact Our Office in Round Rock, TX Today!
Dealing with an autoimmune disorder is no easy task for anyone, let alone a child that just wants to be able to run and play with their friends without pain. Let Reavis Rehab & Wellness Center help today. Contact our office today to set up an appointment for your child to have a thorough consultation with one of our skilled therapists.
