Watching your child struggle to reach a milestone — to roll, sit, walk, or keep up with their peers — is one of the most unsettling experiences a parent can face. You may have been told to “wait and see.” You may have been given exercises at a hospital appointment with very little follow-up. You may simply feel that something isn’t right, and you want answers.
At LPAW, our specialist paediatric team offers skilled, compassionate assessment and physiotherapy for babies and children from birth through to teenage years. We don’t dismiss parental concern. We take it as the starting point.
Torticollis (wry neck) Torticollis is tightness in the sternocleidomastoid muscle (the muscle running down the side of the neck), which causes the baby’s head to tilt to one side and rotate to the other. It is often noticed in the first weeks of life, sometimes linked to positioning in the womb or forceps/ventouse delivery. Early physiotherapy is highly effective — the sooner it is treated, the better the outcome.
Plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome) Positional plagiocephaly — flattening of one side of the skull — is increasingly common and is linked to the (correctly recommended) “back to sleep” positioning. Physiotherapy addresses any underlying torticollis and provides specific repositioning and tummy time programmes. We do not rush parents straight to helmet therapy — most mild-to-moderate cases respond well to physiotherapy and repositioning alone.
Developmental delay in early milestones Rolling, sitting unsupported, standing — if your baby appears to be behind their peers in achieving these milestones, a developmental assessment by one of our paediatric physiotherapists can clarify whether intervention is needed, and start it promptly if so.
Hypotonia (low muscle tone) Floppy tone in infants can have a range of causes. LPAW’s paediatric team can assess, provide targeted therapeutic input, and coordinate with the wider medical team if investigation is needed.
Gross motor delay Children who are late walkers, clumsy, or struggle with running, jumping, and climbing may have a delay in gross motor skill development. This may be isolated or part of a broader developmental picture (such as DCD or autism spectrum conditions). Early physiotherapy can make a significant difference to trajectory.
Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD / Dyspraxia) DCD affects a child’s ability to plan and carry out coordinated movements. It is often under-recognised and under-treated. Meghna Nebhwani has particular expertise in DCD assessment and rehabilitation.
Hypermobility Joint hypermobility is common in children and is usually benign. However, for children experiencing joint pain, fatigue, recurrent sprains, or coordination difficulties linked to hypermobility, physiotherapy can address strength deficits and movement control to reduce symptoms significantly.
Toe walking Persistent toe walking beyond the age of 2–3 warrants assessment. Physiotherapy, stretching programmes, and — in conjunction with orthotics where appropriate — can address the underlying muscle tightness.
Growing pains and Osgood-Schlatter disease Pain at the tibial tuberosity (below the kneecap) during growth spurts — Osgood-Schlatter — is one of the most common presentations in active teenagers. Physiotherapy, load management, and strengthening are the cornerstone of treatment.
Sever’s disease Heel pain at the Achilles insertion during growth spurts in active children. Highly responsive to physiotherapy and load management.
Sports injuries in young athletes Knee, ankle, and shoulder injuries in young athletes require an approach that accounts for open growth plates, sport-specific demands, and return-to-sport planning.
Cerebral palsy Meghna Nebhwani’s specialist experience in cerebral palsy rehabilitation means LPAW can offer meaningful therapeutic input for children with CP, including gait analysis, spasticity management, and functional movement goals.
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) Katy Edebol’s experience in paediatric rheumatology at GOSH makes LPAW particularly well-placed to manage the physiotherapy needs of children with JIA — coordinating with their rheumatologist and addressing joint mobility, strength, and quality of life.
LPAW’s hydrotherapy pool — heated to 36°C — is one of the most valuable tools available for paediatric physiotherapy. In the warm, buoyant water, children who find land-based exercise difficult or painful can move with greater freedom and confidence.
Paediatric hydrotherapy is used for:
Sessions are conducted by our paediatric physiotherapists with appropriate water confidence, safety, and therapeutic objectives for the individual child. Children do not need to be confident swimmers — our therapists are trained in water safety and paediatric aquatic therapy.
Duration: 45–60 minutes
What to bring: Any letters from paediatricians, neurologists, or other specialists, plus any relevant investigations or school reports if applicable. Comfortable clothes for your child that allow movement. A favourite toy or comfort object can help younger children feel at ease.
What happens: Your physiotherapist will spend time talking with you about your concerns, your child’s developmental history, and what you’ve noticed at home. They will then observe your child’s movement — through play-based activities for younger children, and through more structured assessment for older children. Parents are present throughout.
You will leave with a clear explanation of what has been found, what it means, and a plan for moving forward.
Torticollis (wry neck) Torticollis is tightness in the sternocleidomastoid muscle (the muscle running down the side of the neck), which causes the baby’s head to tilt to one side and rotate to the other. It is often noticed in the first weeks of life, sometimes linked to positioning in the womb or forceps/ventouse delivery. Early physiotherapy is highly effective — the sooner it is treated, the better the outcome.
Plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome) Positional plagiocephaly — flattening of one side of the skull — is increasingly common and is linked to the (correctly recommended) “back to sleep” positioning. Physiotherapy addresses any underlying torticollis and provides specific repositioning and tummy time programmes. We do not rush parents straight to helmet therapy — most mild-to-moderate cases respond well to physiotherapy and repositioning alone.
Developmental delay in early milestones Rolling, sitting unsupported, standing — if your baby appears to be behind their peers in achieving these milestones, a developmental assessment by one of our paediatric physiotherapists can clarify whether intervention is needed, and start it promptly if so.
Hypotonia (low muscle tone) Floppy tone in infants can have a range of causes. LPAW’s paediatric team can assess, provide targeted therapeutic input, and coordinate with the wider medical team if investigation is needed.
Gross motor delay Children who are late walkers, clumsy, or struggle with running, jumping, and climbing may have a delay in gross motor skill development. This may be isolated or part of a broader developmental picture (such as DCD or autism spectrum conditions). Early physiotherapy can make a significant difference to trajectory.
Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD / Dyspraxia) DCD affects a child’s ability to plan and carry out coordinated movements. It is often under-recognised and under-treated. Meghna Nebhwani has particular expertise in DCD assessment and rehabilitation.
Hypermobility Joint hypermobility is common in children and is usually benign. However, for children experiencing joint pain, fatigue, recurrent sprains, or coordination difficulties linked to hypermobility, physiotherapy can address strength deficits and movement control to reduce symptoms significantly.
Toe walking Persistent toe walking beyond the age of 2–3 warrants assessment. Physiotherapy, stretching programmes, and — in conjunction with orthotics where appropriate — can address the underlying muscle tightness.
Growing pains and Osgood-Schlatter disease Pain at the tibial tuberosity (below the kneecap) during growth spurts — Osgood-Schlatter — is one of the most common presentations in active teenagers. Physiotherapy, load management, and strengthening are the cornerstone of treatment.
Sever’s disease Heel pain at the Achilles insertion during growth spurts in active children. Highly responsive to physiotherapy and load management.
Sports injuries in young athletes Knee, ankle, and shoulder injuries in young athletes require an approach that accounts for open growth plates, sport-specific demands, and return-to-sport planning.
Cerebral palsy Meghna Nebhwani’s specialist experience in cerebral palsy rehabilitation means LPAW can offer meaningful therapeutic input for children with CP, including gait analysis, spasticity management, and functional movement goals.
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) Katy Edebol’s experience in paediatric rheumatology at GOSH makes LPAW particularly well-placed to manage the physiotherapy needs of children with JIA — coordinating with their rheumatologist and addressing joint mobility, strength, and quality of life.
LPAW’s hydrotherapy pool — heated to 36°C — is one of the most valuable tools available for paediatric physiotherapy. In the warm, buoyant water, children who find land-based exercise difficult or painful can move with greater freedom and confidence.
Paediatric hydrotherapy is used for:
Sessions are conducted by our paediatric physiotherapists with appropriate water confidence, safety, and therapeutic objectives for the individual child. Children do not need to be confident swimmers — our therapists are trained in water safety and paediatric aquatic therapy.
Duration: 45–60 minutes
What to bring: Any letters from paediatricians, neurologists, or other specialists, plus any relevant investigations or school reports if applicable. Comfortable clothes for your child that allow movement. A favourite toy or comfort object can help younger children feel at ease.
What happens: Your physiotherapist will spend time talking with you about your concerns, your child’s developmental history, and what you’ve noticed at home. They will then observe your child’s movement — through play-based activities for younger children, and through more structured assessment for older children. Parents are present throughout.
You will leave with a clear explanation of what has been found, what it means, and a plan for moving forward.
LPAW’s clinical team includes 19 practitioners, many holding postgraduate qualifications from UCL, King’s College London, and Guy’s and St Thomas’. Lead clinician Mr Arjun Viswanath MSc, MCSP, MPPA – Co-Founder and Consultant Physiotherapist – brings 25+ years of NHS and private experience including BMI London Independent Hospital and Harley Street.
Every clinician joining LPAW completes a mandatory intensive shadowing placement with our Consultant Physiotherapist before seeing patients independently. This is not a standard practice at most clinics – it’s our way of maintaining clinical consistency across the team.
We understand that bringing a child to a physiotherapy appointment is a different experience from an adult attending for themselves. We go at the child’s pace. Initial assessments involve a lot of play and observation — we do not expect cooperation that a child isn’t ready to give. Parents are present throughout and are a crucial part of every child’s treatment programme.
We provide clear home programmes with exercises adapted for the child’s age and engagement. We communicate with parents in plain language, not clinical jargon. And we give honest, realistic expectations — not false reassurance and not unnecessary alarm.
If we feel a child needs investigation or specialist input beyond what we can provide, we will say so clearly and help facilitate the appropriate referral.
If your child needs investigation or specialist input beyond physiotherapy, such as paediatric neurology, orthopaedics, or rheumatology, we will say so clearly and help facilitate the appropriate referral. We work alongside NHS clinicians, schools, and SEN teams. Contact us to discuss your specific situation.
We understand that bringing a child to a physiotherapy appointment is a different experience from an adult attending for themselves. We go at the child’s pace. Initial assessments involve a lot of play and observation — we do not expect cooperation that a child isn’t ready to give. Parents are present throughout and are a crucial part of every child’s treatment programme.
We provide clear home programmes with exercises adapted for the child’s age and engagement. We communicate with parents in plain language, not clinical jargon. And we give honest, realistic expectations — not false reassurance and not unnecessary alarm.
If we feel a child needs investigation or specialist input beyond what we can provide, we will say so clearly and help facilitate the appropriate referral.
If your child needs investigation or specialist input beyond physiotherapy, such as paediatric neurology, orthopaedics, or rheumatology we will say so clearly and help facilitate the appropriate referral. We work alongside NHS clinicians, schools, and SEN teams. Contact us to discuss your specific situation.
