Functional Strength & Movement Therapy

What Is Functional Strength & Movement Therapy?

Functional strength and movement therapy focuses on helping children build the strength, coordination, and movement skills needed to participate fully in everyday activities. Rather than isolating muscles, this approach targets how a child uses their body during real-life tasks such as sitting, standing, walking, playing, and keeping up with peers.

At REACH Pediatrics Therapy Services, our pediatric physical therapists use functional, play-based interventions to improve movement quality, efficiency, and confidence—supporting children as they grow stronger and more independent in their daily routines.

Signs Your Child May Benefit from Functional Strength & Movement Therapy

Challenges with functional strength and movement can impact participation at home, school, and in the community.

Your child may benefit from physical therapy if they:

Tire easily during play or physical activity
Have difficulty keeping up with peers
Slouch or struggle to maintain upright posture
Appear weak, unstable, or uncoordinated
Avoid gross motor activities due to fatigue or difficulty
Have trouble with transitions (floor to standing, sit to stand)
Demonstrate inefficient or compensatory movement patterns

Key Areas We Address

Functional strength and movement therapy supports multiple foundational skills that work together to improve overall participation.

Postural Control & Alignment

Strong postural control allows children to sit and stand with stability and endurance. Therapy focuses on core strength, body alignment, and postural awareness to support school tasks, play, and daily activities.

Physical Endurance & Activity Tolerance

Endurance impacts a child’s ability to stay engaged throughout the day. Our therapists use graded, functional activities to build stamina and reduce fatigue during walking, play, and structured tasks.

Balance, Coordination & Movement Efficiency

Balance and coordination are essential for safe, confident movement. Therapy targets movement quality, control, and efficiency to help children move with greater ease and confidence.

Who Can Benefit from This Therapy?

Functional strength and movement therapy can benefit children with:

Low muscle tone (hypotonia)
Developmental delays
Neurological conditions
Core weakness or poor postural stability
Balance or coordination challenges
Fatigue related to inefficient movement patterns

Our physical therapists complete comprehensive evaluations to identify each child’s unique needs and develop individualized treatment plans.

Our Physical Therapy Approach at REACH

At REACH Pediatrics Therapy Services, our mission is to provide the highest quality of care through compassionate, family-centered, and innovative therapy approaches.

Our pediatric physical therapists focus on:

Functional strength-building activities embedded in play
Core and postural strengthening to support upright movement
Endurance-building through purposeful movement
Balance and coordination training
Movement efficiency and body awareness
Progressive challenges to support safe, meaningful growth

Sessions are active, engaging, and tailored to each child’s abilities and goals.

How Functional Strength & Movement Therapy Supports Daily Life

Improving functional strength and movement helps children participate more fully and confidently in everyday routines.

With physical therapy, children may improve:

Ability to sit, stand, and move with stability
Endurance for school, play, and community activities
Confidence during physical tasks
Participation in sports and recreational activities
Overall independence and motor confidence

Our goal is to build strong movement foundations that support long-term success and participation.

Family-Centered Care & Collaboration

Families are essential partners in therapy success. At REACH, we provide education, home strategies, and clear communication to support carryover beyond therapy sessions.

When appropriate, our physical therapists collaborate with occupational therapists, speech therapists, educators, and medical providers to ensure a coordinated plan of care.

Locations Offering Functional Strength & Movement Therapy

Functional strength and movement therapy is available at both our:

Decatur, Alabama location
Muscle Shoals, Alabama location

We proudly serve families throughout North Alabama in a welcoming, child-centered environment.

Is Functional Strength & Movement Therapy Right for My Child?

Every child develops differently. Our pediatric physical therapists complete thorough evaluations to determine whether functional strength and movement therapy is appropriate and to identify the most effective treatment approach.

If you have concerns about your child’s strength, stamina, or movement abilities, we’re here to help guide you through the next steps.

Schedule a Physical Therapy Evaluation

At REACH Pediatrics Therapy Services, we are committed to helping children build the strength and movement skills they need to thrive.

Contact us today to schedule a physical therapy evaluation and learn how functional strength and movement therapy can support your child’s growth and confidence.