We recently began running our fitness classes for an after school program for the Castaic Unified School District utilizing our revamped class curriculum.
Our Purpose
Branches and Balance was founded on the premise of fostering physical fitness and wellness in children of all ages. Our goal is to provide meaningful physical therapy for children and teens while also teaching them how to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Primarily, we address any physical challenges children have. For example: developmental delays, muscle weakness, poor balance or coordination.
Group Focus
We place a focus on group physical therapy for children. Group therapy can help both the parent and child feel supported and interact with others. In essence, this promotes progress and development on both a social and physical level. The extra support that comes from group activities and therapy builds a good foundation and promotes positive changes in health and fitness.
On the other hand, we also feel that individual physical therapy is important. Some children benefit more in the long run from the individual attention. Treatment options can include individual sessions, group sessions, or a combination of both.
Learn more about our different treatment options or Contact Us for more information.
Location
We are located near Valencia High School on Smyth Drive in Valencia. Find us in The Cube Santa Clarita. The address is 27745 Smyth Dr. This is our temporary location while we look for a more permanent lease.
We are a cash based practice and do not accept insurance. Thus, we accept cash, personal checks, and all major credit cards.
Why Choose Branches and Balance?
Branches and Balance offers a unique approach to physical therapy for children. While other places that offer pediatric physical therapy or exercise classes for children, we are the only place in Santa Clarita that offers both.
Group Advantage
Our exercise classes are led by a licensed physical therapist. On the contrary, you won’t find this at normal play groups and gyms. This provides you with access to a pediatric physical therapist without having to go through insurance or pay the higher price that comes with therapy.
Group therapy is also not typically available through most programs offering physical therapy for children. You and your child will not be alone and will have the opportunity to interact with other families going through similar situations.
Our Advantage
Most importantly, physical therapy provided in conjunction with exercise classes led by an expert boosts treatment outcomes. Many conditions respond well to regular exercise and less frequent physical therapy. This allows both your and our time to be spent efficiently, while providing maximum benefit to treatment. Exercise is a major part of physical therapy, and we offer both exercise and treatment in one location.
Why Physical Therapy?
Children are fountains of energy. They are constantly in motion and their bodies are constantly changing. This can lead to injury or pain. Pediatric physical therapy addresses and prevents movement disorders.
Physical therapy for children has the capability to improve quality of life when facing developmental delays, disabilities, or other inhibiting factors in their lives. Our expertise is in restoring, improving, and promoting movement. This is something even children need. Physical therapy not only addresses physical challenges, but can also help prevent them.
Treatment
When designing treatment programs, we take into account past experience in addition to each individual child’s circumstances. Due to this, our treatment approach is not just one aspect. We emphasize both individual and group physical therapy in addition to exercise.
Things to Know
How is Physical Therapy for Children Different Than for Adults?
Often times, physical therapy for children has the same goals as with an adult. Physical therapy for teens and older children often looks much the same as for adults. The biggest difference is with younger children. With children we implement treatment through play. Music and games will often be part of a a session. While we cannot ask a 2 year old to do 20 squats, we can ask them to pick up a heavy ball and put it in a basketball hoop. This accomplishes the same thing through play. Our job as physical therapists is to find ways to accomplish conventional therapy through play. Some regular exercises will be thrown in where they can, but in a limited amount.
Another main difference is that physical therapy for children address developmental milestones and building a foundation that helps children learn new skills.
What is the Difference Between Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy?
While we do not offer OT or Speech, it is important to know the differences. Each type of therapy addresses a different area of development. While there is some overlap between the 3 types of therapy, each has their own expertise. Physical therapists are experts in movement and gross motor skills. These are what most typically think of when talking about developmental milestones. Gross motor skills are big. Things such as crawling, sitting, climbing, and running are all gross motor skills.
Occupational therapists address fine motor skills, sensory processing disorders, feeding, and what we call Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). Fine motor skills traditionally involve the hands and dexterity, like writing, manipulating toys, and using scissors. ADL’s are things you do in you life, such as getting dressed, washing hands, and using the restroom.
Speech Language Pathologists address delays in talking and communication. These can be due to the brain or the muscles. Speech therapy can assist with stutters and enunciating words properly-getting those pesky “l” sounds instead of “y.”