Before you book
Come prepared together.
A parent or guardian should attend with children under 18. Bring your child’s sports shoes, any scan reports or doctor’s letters, and a list of the activities they want to get back to. No referral is needed for a private appointment.
Sports and activity injuries
Active kids and teens can sprain ankles, strain muscles or develop overuse pain from football, netball, basketball, dance and other sports. We assess the injury, explain what is going on in language your child understands, and build a plan to return to sport safely. See also sports injuries and ankle sprains.
Growth-related pain
During growth spurts, the areas where tendons attach to growing bone can become sore with activity. Two common examples are:
- Osgood-Schlatter disease: pain and a tender bump just below the kneecap, common in active pre-teens and teenagers.
- Sever’s disease: heel pain in active children, usually between about 8 and 14 years of age.
These conditions usually settle as growth slows. Physiotherapy can help by adjusting activity load, building strength and flexibility, and keeping your child active in a way that is comfortable. The term “growing pains” is also used for night-time leg aches in younger children; if pain is in one spot, wakes them often or comes with swelling, fever or limping, see your GP.
Posture, flat feet and movement
We can assess posture concerns, general strength, flexibility and coordination, and give practical exercises to do at home. Many young children have flexible flat feet that cause no problems. If your child has foot pain, footwear questions or may benefit from orthotics, we may suggest a review with our sister clinic, KMW Podiatry. Read physio or podiatrist? for more.
When to see a doctor first
See your GP or go to an emergency department if your child cannot put weight on a leg, has a suspected fracture, severe or worsening pain, pain with fever or unexplained weight loss, joint swelling without injury, or pain that wakes them at night regularly.
Physiotherapy is not an emergency service. Call 000 or go to an emergency department for a serious injury, chest pain, sudden weakness or numbness, or if you feel very unwell.
Funding for children
Private health extras cover may include physiotherapy, and we offer HICAPS on-the-spot claiming. Children with an eligible chronic condition may be able to access Medicare-supported physiotherapy through a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan, and NDIS participants can read our NDIS physiotherapy page. Check our fees and rebates page for details.
Your physiotherapy appointment.
See Jency Donda, physiotherapist (Ahpra reg. PHY0004071667), at our Elizabeth Park clinic inside Elizabeth Park Healthcare – open Mondays 9:00am–5:00pm. Jency sees adults, teenagers and children. The clinic has free parking, a step-free entrance and an accessible toilet, and offers HICAPS on-the-spot claiming for private health. Home visits are available within about 5–10 km of Elizabeth Park. Check our fees and rebates page or contact our team with questions.
Helpful questions.
What age children do you see?
Jency sees children and teenagers as well as adults. Call 1800 962 113 if you would like to check whether physiotherapy suits your child’s concern.
Does my child need a referral?
No referral is needed for a private appointment. A referral is needed for a GP care plan or some other funding arrangements.
Will my child have to stop sport?
Not always. Many children can keep doing some activity with changes to load. We will discuss a plan that suits their sport and symptoms.
Should a parent attend?
Yes, a parent or guardian should attend appointments for children under 18.
More information: healthdirect: growing pains. This page is general information and is not a substitute for individual advice.
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