Whether it’s managing pain, regaining motor control or rehabilitating after injury, these physiotherapy centres for kids in Singapore will help.
We’ve read about children with differences and disabilities, but we rarely think it will happen to us. As a parent, it’s never easy to discover your child may have a developmental delay, mobility issues, or an injury that requires more than just a bandaid. The good news is that with a bit of help via physiotherapy – and a lot of love and support – most kids get right back on the path to recovery.
We are spoilt for choice when it comes to physiotherapy (or physical therapy) centres for kids in Singapore. This also means it could be all too overwhelming to figure out which one will fit your child best. To make your decision process a little easier, here’s a round-up of some of the best paediatric physiotherapy centres for kids in Singapore, and what you can expect in terms of facilities and programmes.
Best paediatric physiotherapy centres for kids in Singapore
1. Rainbow Centre
A charity organisation that believes in empowering people with disabilities, Rainbow Centre provides programmes and services that range from early intervention for infants to structured education for students with autism. The physiotherapy intervention is aimed at children with autism who have difficulties with gross motor functions and helps to develop physical independence in everyday activities. Rainbow Centre’s physiotherapists will collaborate with the child’s caregivers and teachers to set goals based on his or her needs and also manage activity-based intervention, hydrotherapy, and individual and group therapy. Realising that it’s tough to be a caregiver to a child with special needs, Rainbow Centre also provides support groups for families and siblings.
Where: Rainbow Centre, 501 Margaret Drive, Singapore 149306; 15 Yishun Street 61, Singapore 768548; 11 Marsiling Lane, Singapore 739148, p. 6472 7077
2. Singapore General Hospital (SGH)
SGH provides paediatric physiotherapy mainly for newborns who are born there. Services are geared towards minimising risk for developmental, behavioural or medical problems in infants and musculoskeletal injuries. It also includes follow up sessions upon discharge to make sure baby is meeting their developmental milestones and to continue to help the family with baby care concerns. Regular baby massage classes are also conducted, which is not only a great way to bond with bub, but also to pick up soothing massage techniques which can improve blood circulation, breathing and confidence in caring for your baby.
Where: Singapore General Hospital, Outram Road, Singapore 169608, p. 6222 3322, e. [email protected]
3. Gleneagles
Gleneagles caters mainly to adults, but provides physiotherapy services to all patients, big and small, with physical symptoms and movement impairments due to surgery, injuries, diseases, or chronic pain. A great service it offers newborns is craniosacral therapy. This massage technique gently manipulates the skull and central nervous system to release all that built-up tension from travelling down the birth canal and is known to relax and make baby feel more calm and comfy. Gleneagles also offers light touch therapy to help with pain and stress management, Pilates exercises to restore natural spinal curvature and muscular control around the joints, plus oncological rehabilitation – a tailored exercise programme that helps those with muscle, bones and joints disorders reduce their dependency on others.
Where: Gleneagles Hospital, 6A Napier Road, Singapore 258500, p. 6470 5715, e. [email protected]
4. The Rehab Practice (Paediatric)
Located between One-North and Buona Vista MRT, The Rehab Practice (Paediatric) provides rehabilitation and physiotherapy services to babies, children and young adults. The Rehab Practice caters to children with neurological conditions, such as cerebral palsy, chest physiotherapy for pulmonary conditions and musculoskeletal conditions. It also provides other services like finding the most ergonomic seats and sleeping equipment, post-operative rehabilitation, pain management and home physiotherapy. The centre also goes one step further to use toys like the Nintendo Wii and Xbox Kinect, as part of the rehabilitation, making it a fun and less daunting experience for little ones.
Where: The Rehab Practice (Paediatric), 8 Biomedical Grove #01-04, Singapore 138665, p. 6737 2155, e. [email protected]
5. Kids Focus Physiotherapy
Founded by Sarah Wong in 2007, Kids Focus Physiotherapy provides intensive physiotherapy programmes for patients as young as newborns all the way up to 20 years old. Here they treat issues such as muscle problems, aches and pains that arise from athletic injuries or congenital and developmental disorders such as Down’s Syndrome and Autism. Physiotherapists are trained to use aquatic physiotherapy, suit therapy and the Universal Exercise Unit for cerebral palsy and movement correction. Kids Focus Physiotherapy also provides off-site physiotherapy as well as training.
Where: Kids Focus Physiotherapy, Balmoral Plaza, 271 Bukit Timah Road #03-06, Singapore 259708, p. 6763 8716, e. [email protected]
6. Dynamics
Dynamics provides physiotherapy for infants to adolescents who have a variety of disorders ranging from developmental to injuries, disease and surgery. For children with neurological conditions, one or more rehabilitation methods and approaches may be used to initiate normal patterns of movements and improve motor ability. For Children with orthopaedic or musculoskeletal conditions, Dynamics utilises stretching and strengthening techniques to normalise joint stability and muscle function, as well as core strengthening. The best part? Dynamics has an open door policy which means you can be as involved in your child’s sessions and treatment as well.
Where: Dynamics, Forum The Shopping Mall, 583 Orchard Road #15-04, Singapore 238884, p. 6100 9235, e. [email protected]
7. WINGS Therapy and Learning Centre
WINGS was founded by Judith Justin, a mother who couldn’t find the right treatment for her son after he was diagnosed with a rare genetic mutation in his NACC1 gene. She spent 10 years travelling and searching for the best, cutting edge treatment options around the globe and brought them back to Singapore for him, as well as for the hope of other parents who are looking for a solution for their kids with special needs. Today, WINGS is a results-focused therapy centre that’s dedicated to helping children regain motor control and age-appropriate physical capabilities. Kids with special needs – ranging from mild to severe – can access individualised treatment and care plans at the centre as well. The centre uses the Intensive Model Of Therapy (IMOT) Framework, and is actually the first and only intensive therapy centre in Singapore. This framework incorporates a range of transformative treatments, including Suit Therapy and the revolutionary Cuevas Medek Exercises – a psycho-motor therapy approach devised by Chilean physical therapist Ramon Cuevas in 1972, aimed at improving gross motor skills. WINGS treats a broad range of injuries and conditions for kids of all ages, from as young as ten months old.
Where: Wings Therapy and Learning Centre, 1 Kay Siang Road, #05-10, North Tower, Singapore 248922, p. 8690 4714, e. [email protected]
8. Kaleidoscope
Kaleidoscope doesn’t just have four fully-equipped kiddie gyms and plenty of toys, it also offers a wide range of services for children with learning difficulties, special needs or behavioural issues. One service it offers is psychomotor therapy which focuses on the child’s global development through movement and play. This therapy is catered for children with motor skills difficulties, issues with body and spatial awareness and challenges with functional activities, such as handwriting. Besides English, psychomotor therapists at Kaleidoscope also speak French and German.
Where: Kaleidoscope, The Grandstand, 200 Turf Club Road #07-05/06, Singapore 287994, p. 6468 8991, e. [email protected]
For more physiotherapy centres and information on physiotherapy, visit www.physiotherapy.org.sg.
