Pediatric Physical Therapy for Toe-Walking
in Bentonville, AR
Is your child constantly walking on their toes? While it might seem like a cute habit, it’s actually a part of a child’s natural developmental progression. But when toe-walking continues past a certain age, it can lead to physical challenges that affect balance, coordination, and muscle development.
The good news is that there’s a simple solution to toe-walking. Our experienced physical therapists at No Limits Pediatric Therapy use engaging, play-based techniques to help children strengthen their muscles, improve their walking patterns, and develop the skills they need for a lifetime of movement and play.
What Is Toe-Walking?
Toe-walking is when a child consistently walks on the balls of their feet instead of using the heel-to-toe walking pattern. While this is common in toddlers who are just learning how to walk, most children outgrow this phase by age two.
When toe-walking persists beyond that point, it may be due to underlying reasons such as tight calf muscles or a shortened Achilles tendon, which connects your calf muscles to your heel bone. If it’s left unaddressed, toe-walking can lead to other physical difficulties and make everyday tasks more challenging.
How Toe-Walking Can Impact Your Child's Development
Toe-walking beyond age two can lead to various developmental challenges over time, including:
- Tightening of the calf muscles, leading to limited flexibility and even pain
- Difficulty with balance, making it harder for your child to play
- Increased risk of falls and trips due to uneven walking patterns
- Poor posture and alignment issues, which can affect the knees, hips, and back
- Delayed gross motor skills, such as running and jumping
How Physical Therapy Helps Children with Toe-Walking
At No Limits Pediatric Therapy, our physical therapists address toe-walking in a way that is fun and rewarding for children. Our interventions may include a variety of different activities, such as stretching exercises to loosen tight calf muscles, strength training to support proper foot movement, and gait training to encourage heel-to-toe walking.
Our approach is neurodiversity-affirming, which means we focus on your child’s strengths while helping them overcome difficulties. We also incorporate sensory integration strategies, if necessary, to address any sensory reasons for toe-walking. Our goal is to empower your child with the ability to walk comfortably, confidently, and with the right movement patterns so they can enjoy an active future with no limits.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Experts
Are you concerned about your child’s toe-walking? Find out how we can help! Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with our team at No Limits Pediatric Therapy.
We’ll listen to your concerns, discuss your child’s unique needs, and explain how our pediatric physical therapy services can support their development. Call (479) 250-9838 to schedule your consultation today!
