World Health Day : the importance of physiotherapy from birth
Today, we celebrate World Health Day. Each year, the WHO defines a theme for the occasion. This year, the theme is “Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures“, highlighting both maternal and infant health. Physiotherapy plays a fundamental role from birth in ensuring optimal development and preventing potential motor or respiratory disorders. In line with this year’s theme, its importance is particularly emphasized, as it supports newborns in their first physiological challenges and promotes harmonious growth.
Essential support for newborns’ breathing
From the very first days of life, some newborns, particularly premature babies or those with respiratory complications, may struggle to clear lung secretions. Neonatal respiratory physiotherapy helps improve their ability to breathe properly by using adapted bronchial drainage techniques. By assisting immature lungs in functioning more efficiently, it helps reduce the risk of infections and facilitates the transition to autonomous breathing. For premature infants, who often spend several weeks in an incubator with limited motor stimulation, physiotherapy also offers early interventions to improve muscle tone and coordination, ensuring a strong start to their motor development.
Early correction of motor and postural disorders
Some newborns are born with neuromotor disorders, such as hypotonia or hypertonia, which can affect their posture and movement. Early intervention by a physiotherapist helps address these muscle imbalances and stimulate movements necessary for proper development. Postural asymmetries, such as congenital torticollis or plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome), have become increasingly common due to the recommendation for back sleeping to prevent sudden infant death syndrome. Physiotherapy provides gentle manipulations and tailored exercises to correct these imbalances and ensure a well-balanced posture, preventing complications later in the child’s life.
Supporting parents to promote motor development
Beyond directly treating the infant, physiotherapy also plays a crucial role in supporting parents. The first months of life are critical for a baby’s motor development, and parents must be guided in adopting the right practices. Physiotherapists teach them how to handle their baby, carry them correctly, and encourage positions that promote motor development. They also provide guidance on setting up a safe and supportive environment for the infant, such as incorporating tummy time to strengthen the neck and back. This parental education fosters beneficial habits that will support the child’s growth and development over time.
Preventing and treating orthopedic disorders
Some babies are born with orthopedic conditions, such as hip dysplasia or foot anomalies (clubfoot, valgus, or varus feet). Early detection and intervention help prevent these issues from worsening and causing long-term complications. By working on joint mobility and guiding the child toward better postures, physiotherapy helps reduce the risk of chronic pain or walking difficulties in adulthood. This preventive approach is essential for ensuring that children grow without physical restrictions and gain optimal physical independence.
Investing in a healthy future
By promoting harmonious motor development from birth, physiotherapy provides children with the best foundation for a healthy life. A baby who grows without postural or motor issues will find it easier to explore their environment, contributing to cognitive and social development as well. Additionally, by reducing the risk of musculoskeletal disorders in adulthood, physiotherapy serves as a long-term preventive measure, ensuring a healthier future for children. On this World Health Day, it is essential to emphasize that early intervention in motor development is an investment in the future, allowing every child to grow up healthy and with the best chances to thrive.