Gaynor Robey Physiotherapy

Last clinic of 2023!

Thank you so much to all my lovely patients and their families! We have had a busy year and I am so grateful!

Thank you for trusting me with your children.

Looking forward to helping and supporting more children and their families in 2024!

Merry Christmas and Happy new year from Gaynor Robey Physiotherapy!

An amazing weekend spent at the APCP Conference in Manchester. Such amazing speakers. Was fantastic to be able to listen to all the research that’s going on in paediatric physiotherapy. Lovely to see some familiar faces as well. Thank you so much

Top 6 exercise for older children to help them Improve their core strength!

P I L A T E S 🧘‍♀️🧘‍♂️

Physiotherapist led kids and teens Pilates classes throughout August.
Classes will run on a Thursday and Friday at the in Cheltenham.

Infants 10- 11am (4-7 years old)
Juniors - 11.30 - 12.30pm ( 8 - 11 years old)
Seniors - 2 - 3pm (12 -16 years old)

£7.50 per session.
Sessions to be booked in blocks of 5.

Please email [email protected] or text 07359294400 for more information and to book your child on.

E R B’S P A L S Y

Erb’s Palsy, a form of obstetric brachial plexus disorder.
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Erb's palsy typically affects one or two of every 1,000 babies. It is an injury that occurs when the nerves in a baby’s upper arm are damaged as a result of a lesion at Erb’s point - the area near the baby’s neck where the fifth and sixth cranial nerves merge to create the upper point of the brachial plexus. This is frequently caused by shoulder dystocia during a difficult birth. Infants with this condition usually can’t move the affected shoulder or upper arm, but they may be able to wiggle their fingers.
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A baby with Erb's Palsy may exhibit weakness in the affected arm, or possibly won't be able to move it. Symptoms can range from signs of weakness or soreness to total or partial paralysis of the arm. The most common signs to look out for include: • Limpness in the arm, held against the side of the body and bent at the elbow.
• Decreased ability to grip with the hand on the affected side.
• Partial or full paralysis.
• Loss of sensory and/or motor function in the upper arm.
• Arm numbness.
• Impaired circulatory, muscular, and nervous development.
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Mild cases of Erb’s palsy may clear up within three to six months with physical therapy. Around 70 to 80% of all cases usually clear up within a year with proper and consistent treatment. The younger the infant is when treatment begins, the better the results are. In some rare cases, infants may live with lifelong problems due to Erb’s palsy, and may suffer permanent functional loss in the affected arm.
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The most common treatment for Erb's palsy is physical therapy. The type of exercises we use for an infant are very mild and gentle and commonly include massage and stretching as well as a range of strength, stimulation and motion exercises.
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If you're concerned that your child is showing symptoms of Erb's palsy, or that the condition in your child is not improving, don't hesitate to get in touch with us or your GP👶

Kneeling is a brilliant way to encourage crawling skills. This skill usually emerges around the 7-8 month mark in your child but once your child is able to sit independently when placed (usually between 6-8 months) you can start working in this position. You can continue to encourage play in this position in all ages.
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⭐️ Kneeling allows for weight bearing through the knees which will help strengthen the hips and the stretch the hip flexor.
⭐️ It is perfect for strengthening all of those key muscles in the trunk of the body as it activates core muscles.
⭐️Helps to develop muscles in the shoulders and arms by encouraging weight shifting and crossing the midline through play.
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Kneeling to play is best done at the appropriate height for your child. It can then be made more or less challenging depending on the position and/or surface used.
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For the babies we recommend using a couch cushion, stack of pillows or overturned basket. (If using a hard surface be careful if your child has any balance issues).
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Make sure the surface you use is placed on the floor and lay your child face dow on top with their legs parallel, knees on the floor - with their hips directly over their knees. Support your child at the hips and ensure their elbows are placed directly under their shoulders with their hands in front.
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Place a toy, book or mirror on top of the surface to encourage you let child to lift their head and chest. Move items further out of reach to make this position harder.
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For the older children use a low table, bench or chair (again be careful of those hard surfaces and any balancing concerns). Or why not try kneeling at vertical surface such as a wall/mirror with play items stuck on. This is a great tool for also promoting independent play.

Hi everyone!! We have some exciting news!! From July 2023 we will be offering kids and teens Pilates classes. The classes will run after school on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and we will also have a summer timetable. The age groups that classes will be offered to are Infants (years 4-7), Juniors (years 8-11) and Seniors (years 12-16). If you are interested in Pilates classes for your children please send us an email to register your interest [email protected]

Keep an eye on our Facebook and Instagram page for more details on a start date and how to book on to the classes.

We love receiving reviews like this! Knowing that we are making such a positive impact on our patients and their family’s lives is what it’s all about!

Proud sponsor of Mid Gloucestershire Mini Soccer League!!

“ As a local business we have supported the development of young children in our local community. Keeping them in a safe and steady environment helping them develop new skills and become great young adults. Also keeping them healthy in both mind and body whilst investing in the future generation “ ⚽️⚽️

Here at Gaynor Robey Physiotherapy HQ we are celebrating Down syndrome awareness day by rocking our crazy socks!!

Here’s a little bit of information you might find useful, on how physiotherapy can help your Down syndrome child…..

🧦 Why Down syndrome children need physiotherapy?

Many children with Down Syndrome have a degree of floppiness of their muscles (hypotonia) and this affects each child to a different degree. Low muscle tone, as well as reduced strength and endurance, make it hard to learn gross motor skills.

Children with Down Syndrome also have increased flexibility in their joints (hypermobility), and you may first notice this in your child’s hips as their knees fall to the sides when they are lying on their back. Children with Down Syndrome also have short arms and legs relative to the length of their trunk. This makes it harder to prop themselves up when they are learning to sit, or more difficult to climb on furniture.

🧦 How can physiotherapy help?

Physical activity will help to promote a child's gross motor skills and increase their muscle strength. They will need lots of stimulation through handling and play. We will provide you with activities to carry out to help your child with their gross motor skills. Repetition and practice will help a child to increase their muscle strength and ability.

🧦 Give us a call if you have any concerns you may have regarding your Childs gross motor development. We are here to help!