About Theraplay, Inc.
Theraplay, Inc. has been a leading provider of pediatric occupational, physical, speech and feeding therapy since 1991. Headquartered in West Chester, Pennsylvania, Theraplay provides services in outpatient centers, schools and in homes through county-based early intervention services, and has continued to meet the need for pediatric therapy in the tri-state area to assist and encourage children in all levels of development.
Known for excellent, individualized care, Theraplay’s team of therapists are highly skilled, compassionate professionals who have dedicated their lives to helping children gain confidence and achieve independence. With evening and weekend hours, and accepting most major medical insurances, Theraplay makes it easy for patients to get the quality care they deserve.
Theraplay was founded in 1991 by physical therapist Lisa Mackell. Believing that children learn and develop best through play experiences, Theraplay provides their individualized therapy services in a play-focused environment. Their occupational, physical, speech and feeding therapy services, along with concussion rehabilitation, early intervention and school services have helped improve the lives of thousands of children and their families. In 2016, Austill’s Educational Therapy Services joined the Theraplay family of companies, and since then Positive Steps Therapy, AOT, Inc., The Children’s Therapy Center and Fleming Therapy Services have been added, bringing therapy to children and adolescents in 4 states, with 31 outpatient locations and school, home and early intervention-based services. Theraplay is looking forward to continuing to grow their geographic reach, furthering their mission to maximize each child’s potential through functional play-based therapies. For more information visit theraplayinc.com.
Torti-What?
Torticollis is a shortening of the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM), a muscle in the neck, that can result in a sidebend or head tilt. It is most noticeable in babies, but can be present in toddlers and adolescents, and if left untreated, can last into adulthood.
Torticollis can be caused by a number of reasons: intrauterine position, a difficult delivery, positioning after birth, visual disturbances, or GERD, resulting in a baby’s head tilting. Whatever the cause, torticollis is easily treatable with physical therapy, but early referral is critical. The sooner a child is seen, the shorter treatment times are.
Without therapy, children with torticollis could develop hip dysplasia, plagiocephaly (flattening of the head), or scoliosis. They may also suffer from Developmental and Gross Motor Delays, such as delayed rolling, sitting, crawling, standing, and walking skills.
What to look out for
The following might be warning signs that a child needs an evaluation for torticollis:
Child maintains a head tilt and/or prefers positioning their head to one side
Favoring one side of their body
Facial and/or head asymmetries
Decreased/no tolerance to tummy time
Delay of gross motor skills
What can physical therapy do?
Physical therapists address challenges such as range of motion, strength, asymmetries, postural control, and function/gross motor development. Treatment strategies are based on goals set in the initial evaluation, and infants are treated as young as 1-2 months of age. During all sessions, parents are taught techniques and activities to use at home to help with rehabilitation. Physical therapists typically see a child for 3 to 12 months with the ultimate goals of obtaining full range of motion during all age appropriate positions and movements, like sitting, crawling and walking.
The Theraplay Difference
Below is a testimonial from the parent of a torticollis patient:
“As a new mom, unsure of how to help my three-month-old son who had torticollis and plagiocephaly, Theraplay became a welcome and necessary resource. The physical therapists educated my husband and I on why my son had a tilt and flat spot, and taught us how we could help him at home. We were patiently educated on repositioning techniques as well as stretching and play exercises. With the persistent help and guidance from Theraplay, my son overcame his extreme case of torticollis. Three years later when my daughter was born, we knew what signs to look out for, and called as soon as her mild tilt was noticed. We believe that new parents would benefit from learning more about torticollis, plagiocephaly, and physical therapy's role in treatment at newborn well checks and as needed.”
For more information, or to schedule an evaluation for your child, call Theraplay’s Princeton center, located at 29 Emmons Road, at 609-454-3035 or visit theraplayinc.com
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