If your child isn’t moving the way you’d expect — or has been dealing with pain, an injury, or a developmental concern — a pediatric physiotherapist can help you understand what’s going on and what to do about it. At Goulburn Valley Physiotherapy Centre in Shepparton, our pediatric physiotherapy service is available to infants and children with no referral needed.
This post outlines the conditions we commonly assess and treat, and what you can expect when you bring your child in.
What Is Pediatric Physiotherapy?
Pediatric physiotherapy focuses on the assessment and treatment of movement, development, and physical function in children from infancy through to adolescence. It differs from adult physiotherapy in a meaningful way — children’s bodies are still growing, and the way we assess, communicate, and treat needs to reflect that.
At GV Physiotherapy Centre, our pediatric physiotherapist, Andrea, holds a post-graduate certificate in Physiotherapy (Pediatrics) and has been working in the pediatric field since 2008. She also works part-time for the Victorian Pediatric Rehabilitation Service at Goulburn Valley Health — which means she brings a high level of specialist experience directly into our private clinic on Wyndham Street.
Conditions a Pediatric Physiotherapist Can Treat in Shepparton
Developmental Delay and Gross Motor Skill Concerns
If your child is slower than expected to reach milestones like rolling, sitting, crawling, standing, or walking, physiotherapy can help identify what’s contributing and build a plan to address it. Assessment looks at strength, muscle tone, coordination, and the quality of movement — not just whether a milestone has been reached, but how your child is getting there.
Torticollis and Plagiocephaly (Infant Head and Neck Conditions)
Torticollis is a tightening of the neck muscles that causes an infant’s head to tilt or rotate to one side. Left unmanaged, it can lead to flat spots on the skull (plagiocephaly) and affect how a baby moves and feeds. Early physiotherapy input — with stretching, handling advice, and positioning guidance for parents — is well-established as the most effective approach.
Low Muscle Tone (Hypotonia)
Some children present with muscles that feel floppy or that tire more easily than expected. Low muscle tone affects posture, movement, and how quickly a child develops strength and coordination. Physiotherapy works on progressive strengthening, active play-based exercise, and giving families practical strategies to support development at home.
Neurological Conditions Including Cerebral Palsy
Children with cerebral palsy or other neurological diagnoses benefit from physiotherapy across all stages of development. Treatment focuses on improving functional movement, maintaining range of motion, managing tone, and supporting participation in everyday activities. Andrea’s dual role with the Victorian Pediatric Rehabilitation Service means children with more complex neurological needs are well supported within our Shepparton clinic.
Growth-Related Conditions: Sever’s Disease and Osgood-Schlatter Disease
Active children aged roughly 8 to 14 are prone to heel pain (Sever’s disease) and knee pain (Osgood-Schlatter disease) — both caused by the stress that rapid bone growth places on the tendons and soft tissues around developing joints. These conditions respond very well to physiotherapy. Load management, targeted strengthening, and activity modification can settle pain and keep your child playing sport during a challenging growth phase.
Sports Injuries in Children and Adolescents
Children aren’t just small adults when it comes to sports injuries — growth plates are vulnerable in ways that adult bone is not. Whether your child has an ankle sprain, a stress fracture, shoulder pain from throwing, or a knee injury from football or netball, a pediatric-informed approach means the treatment accounts for where they are in their development, not just the injury itself.
Postural Concerns and Scoliosis
Adolescents frequently present with postural pain, back pain, or concerns about the shape of their spine. While not all postural variation requires treatment, a thorough assessment can identify whether there is a structural issue like scoliosis, or whether the symptoms are related to strength, muscle balance, and movement habits — both of which respond well to targeted exercise.
Coordination Difficulties and Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)
Children with DCD (sometimes described informally as being “clumsy”) often struggle with tasks that require motor planning — sport, handwriting, catching, or navigating playground equipment. Physiotherapy uses structured, goal-focused movement practice to build confidence and improve the quality of everyday physical tasks.
What Does a Pediatric Physio Assessment Look Like?
Your child’s first appointment involves a thorough assessment before any treatment begins. We look at movement patterns, strength, muscle tone, coordination, and — where relevant — how your child interacts with their environment during play. We’ll talk through what you’ve noticed at home, school, or during sport, and work with you to understand what the goals are.
At GV Physiotherapy Centre, we focus on identifying the root cause of a condition rather than treating symptoms in isolation. Treatment plans are practical and tailored — exercises are chosen to be appropriate for your child’s age, interests, and stage of development, and we make sure you leave with a clear understanding of what we’re working toward and why.
Do I Need a Referral?
No. Andrea is available to see infants and children without a referral from our Wyndham Street clinic in Shepparton. Availability is limited, so it’s worth booking early.
Children with NDIS plans are also welcome — our team works with NDIS participants regularly across a range of conditions.
Pediatric Physiotherapy at GV Physiotherapy Centre, Shepparton
Goulburn Valley Physiotherapy Centre has served the Shepparton and Goulburn Valley community since 1986. Our pediatric service is available through our Wyndham Street clinic and delivered by a physiotherapist with specialist post-graduate qualifications and a genuine depth of experience with infants, children, and adolescents.
If you’re unsure whether physiotherapy is the right step for your child, give us a call — we’re happy to talk it through before you commit to an appointment.
Book a Pediatric Physio Appointment in Shepparton
Our pediatric physiotherapist sees infants and children at our Wyndham Street clinic in Shepparton — no referral required. To book or ask a question, call us on **03 5821 7486** or visit our contact page. You can also find us on Google Maps to plan your visit.