Children & Adolescents

Paediatric Physiotherapy in Tottenham Court Road, London

Physiotherapy for children and adolescents with musculoskeletal pain, injury, or movement difficulties, adapted to the growing skeleton and led by paediatric physiotherapist Liam Thornton — an HCPC-registered, CSP-member clinician — with parents involved at every stage, and self-referral so you book directly without a GP letter.

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Paediatric physiotherapist assessing a child's movement during a session at a central London clinic

The short answer

What this treatment is

Children are not small adults. Their bones, growth plates, and movement patterns change as they grow, so a child's complaint — limping, recurrent knee or heel pain, an awkward gait, or an injury that will not settle — needs assessment built for the growing skeleton, not a scaled-down adult protocol. Following Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists (APCP) practice, our paediatric physiotherapist Liam Thornton takes a thorough history, watches your child move and play, and explains the working diagnosis in plain language to both child and parent. Many childhood aches, such as growing pains described by the NHS, are benign and self-limiting; our job is to identify those, screen for the red flags that warrant onward referral, and give clear, age-appropriate guidance. Treatment is play-based and goal-led, with parents taught how to support progress at home. We never promise a cure or a fixed timeline.

Areas treated

What's included

Led by a paediatric physiotherapist (Liam Thornton) — HCPC-registered and a CSP member, following APCP practice
Assessment built for the growing skeleton, including growth-plate and posture considerations
Parents fully involved — consent, explanation, and a home programme you can actually run
Play-based, age-appropriate treatment that keeps children engaged
Clear screening for red flags, with onward GP or paediatric referral when needed
Self-referral via our Jane booking page — no GP letter required to start

Boundaries of practice

What's not treated

Good practice means saying no when indicated:

Suspected fracture, dislocation, or acute significant injury — needs urgent A&E or GP assessment first
Unexplained one-sided limb pain, night pain not relieved by morning, or a persistent limp — requires GP review
Joint pain with swelling, redness, rash, fever, or feeling generally unwell — needs urgent medical assessment
Unexplained weight loss, persistent fatigue, or loss of appetite alongside pain — requires GP/paediatric review
Suspected non-musculoskeletal or systemic cause — referred on rather than treated here
Treatment without an attending parent or guardian providing consent

Patient journey

What to expect

Consultation & preparation

Bring loose, comfortable clothing your child can move in, plus trainers if walking or running is affected. Bring any scan reports, GP or hospital letters, and insurer details. A parent or guardian must attend, as parental consent is required before assessment and treatment.

During treatment

Step 1 — History with child and parent

We start with a full history taken with you and your child together: how the problem began, what makes it better or worse, activity and sport, school, growth, and general health. Parental consent and involvement are built in from the outset, in line with APCP practice.

Step 2 — Movement and physical assessment

We watch your child walk, run, hop, and play, then examine joints, muscles, flexibility, and strength relevant to the growing skeleton. We screen for the red flags the NHS lists — one-sided pain, morning pain, limping, swelling, or systemic signs — that warrant onward referral.

Step 3 — Play-based treatment and home programme

Treatment is goal-led and age-appropriate: graded exercise made into games, activity modification, load management, and simple advice for parents. Most childhood musculoskeletal complaints respond to guided activity and reassurance rather than passive treatment. You leave with a clear, doable home plan.

Step 4 — Review, progress, and onward referral if needed

We reassess against the goals set at the first visit, adjusting the programme as your child improves or grows. If anything points beyond musculoskeletal physiotherapy, we coordinate referral to your GP or a paediatric specialist. We discharge when your child can manage confidently.

Aftercare

You and your child will leave with the working diagnosis explained in plain language and a simple, play-based home programme. We agree clear goals and book a review to track progress as your child grows. If anything needs further investigation, we coordinate referral to your GP or a paediatric specialist.

Pricing

Transparent, all-in pricing

Initial Assessment

Price on enquiry

Follow-up Treatment

Price on enquiry

Written and medically reviewed by David Thomas , Founder & Chartered Physiotherapist · HCPC-registered · MSc · Chartered Society of Physiotherapy · Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists (APCP), with all clinicians HCPC-registered and Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) members.

FAQ

Common
questions

Do I need a GP referral for my child to see a physiotherapist?

No. Paediatric physiotherapy at Kaizen is self-referral, so you book directly through our Jane page without a GP letter. If you are claiming on private health insurance, your insurer may require a referral first, so check your policy. Self-funded families never need a referral to start.

What age range do you treat?

We treat children and adolescents, broadly from early childhood through the late teens. Assessment is always matched to your child's stage of growth, because the growing skeleton behaves differently from an adult's. If you are unsure whether your child's age or concern is suitable, ask when booking and we will advise honestly.

Are growing pains something to worry about?

Usually not. The NHS describes growing pains as common, harmless aching in both legs, typically in the evening or at night, that settles by morning. We confirm the picture fits and rule out red flags such as one-sided pain, limping, morning pain, swelling, or fever, which need GP review.

Will I be able to stay with my child during the appointment?

Yes. A parent or guardian stays throughout the appointment, in line with APCP practice. We take the history together, explain findings to you and your child, and gain consent before treatment. You are taught the home exercises too, because your involvement between sessions is central to your child's progress.

What should my child wear and bring?

Bring loose, comfortable clothing your child can move and play in, plus their usual trainers if the problem affects walking or running. Bring any scan reports, GP or hospital letters, and insurer details if relevant. For younger children, a familiar toy can help them relax during the assessment.

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Kaizen Physiotherapy & Performance • 111 Charing Cross Road, Tottenham Court Road, London WC2H 0DT

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Appointments typically available within 1–2 weeks