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Located in Shenton Park & Hillarys

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

JIA is a painful, autoimmune form of arthritis that affects around 5000 children in Australia. It is as common as Juvenile Diabetes. It can affect growth and development through joint swelling, pain and restriction of movement. It can also affect the eyes and other body systems. Our therapists work closely with paediatric rheumatologists to prevent joint damage, improve/maintain joint movement and optimise muscle strength, physical well-being, function and participation. Our therapists will conduct a thorough assessment of your child’s history, medications, their joints, muscles and balance. They will also ensure they understand the complete effects of JIA and on your family and child’s school and social activities.

Working closely with other health professionals, our therapists will use treatments such as:

  • Disease education to improve understanding and control

Occupational Therapy

  • Range of movement and strengthening exercise programs
  • Activity Management
  • Handwriting Assessments
  • School Liaison

Yoga Therapy

  • facilitate pain coping through teaching techniques such as  breathing, relaxation, mindfulness and guided visualisation
  • facilite the development of muscle strength, motor control, joint range of movement and body awareness in space
  • Theresa teaches yoga classes on Wednesday afternoons on behalf of the Arthritis and Osteoporosis Foundation

Psychology

  • Teach pain coping strategies
  • Assist in developing strategies to optimise mental wellbeing and coping
  • Mindfulness

Dietetics

  • Assist in the development of a nutritional plan tailored to your childs individual needs

Physiotherapy

  • Joint mobilisations
  • Range of movement and strengthening exercise programs
  • Re-training walking and movement patterns
  • Exercises Programs
  • Pilates
  • Hydrotherapy
    • Individual programs
    • Our physiotherapist run group programs on behalf of the WA Arthritis Centre on Monday afternoons