Can Sit… But Can’t Get Back Up from the Side? Try This First 👨🏻‍🦰⬅️ | SMA PT #22

In this video, I work with Cillian 👨🏻‍🦰, who is 2 years, 3 months old, on building trunk strength through **rotation, lateral flexion, and returning to upright from the side**. I’m Amy Sturkey 👩🏼, a retired pediatric physical therapist. In this video, we focus on reaching behind the body and then pushing back up to sitting from a sideways position. 📘 Cillian’s Medical & Therapy Background Cillian was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) through newborn screening. He received Risdiplam by day 5 of life until eligible for Zolgensma, which he received at 5 weeks of age. He restarted Risdiplam at 10 months of age. Cillian has also been diagnosed with: • Nystagmus • Cranial asymmetry • Scoliosis • Hip dysplasia Cillian began physical therapy at 3 months of age and currently receives: • Physical therapy • Occupational therapy • Feeding therapy 👉🏽 Watch the full Cillian playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAkJbMrHyKjOBUy-rQKVN5ACa37e72liK 🚗 Session Focus Cillian is working on: • Core (trunk) strength • Lateral flexion (side bending) • Trunk rotation • Pushing back up to sitting from the side • Symmetry between right and left sides 💡 What’s Happening in This Session Cillian sits in a wide long sit with his back supported lightly against my leg. • A toy is placed behind him. • He leans backward and rotates to reach it. • He props on one arm while reaching with the other. • Then works to push himself back up to sitting. • He places each ring onto a vertical spinning ring stacker in front of him. I use my leg and gentle pressure at his hip to give just enough support to help him succeed. This setup also encourages him to: • Prop on his preferred arm • Reach with his less-preferred arm • Work into rotation and side sitting in a controlled way 🧠 Why This Matters Cillian can already return to sitting from a forward lean—but recovering from the side is much more difficult. This activity builds: • Core strength 💪🏽 • Lateral trunk strength 💪🏿 • Rotation control 🧑🏾‍🦱 • Upper back strength with reaching up ⬆️ • Functional balance and recovery skills ⚖️ For children with scoliosis, it is especially important to strengthen the trunk in **all directions**, not just forward and back. ⚠️ Important Note These videos are educational and are not a replacement for in-person pediatric physical therapy. Every child is unique. Please consult a licensed pediatric therapist before trying new exercises. I cannot provide individualized treatment without an in-person evaluation. 🌐 Contact / Learn More Website: https://www.pediatricPTexercises.com Facebook: Pediatric Physical Therapy Exercises Email: [amysturkey@gmail.com](mailto:amysturkey@gmail.com) 📚 Books by Amy Sturkey, PT Children’s Educational Books (Amazon) • P is for Poop and Pee Accidents — https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLSRJ483 • A is for Anxiety — https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09LXQ3W6V • A is for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder — https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08QH9H5HR • C is for Cerebral Palsy — https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088TSJCYP • D is for Down Syndrome — https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079P8HH49 • A is for Autism — https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071F4FFTB Professional Pediatric Physical Therapy Books (Amazon) • Pediatric Physical Therapy Strengthening Exercises for the Hips — https://www.amazon.com/dp/0998156736 • Pediatric Physical Therapy Strengthening Exercises for the Knees — http://www.amazon.com/dp/0998156760 • Pediatric Physical Therapy Strengthening Exercises for the Ankles — https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08TX2ZCFD 💬 Captions / Accessibility Captions were reviewed and corrected for clarity and accuracy. To turn on captions: click CC To change languages: ⚙️ Settings → Subtitles/CC → Auto-translate → choose your language ⏱️ Chapter Timestamps 0:00 – Intro: Amy & Cillian 0:12 – SMA background 0:28 – Explaining side reach activity 0:45 – First reach and return to sitting 1:10 – Using arm to push up from the side 1:45 – Reaching and placing on ring stacker 2:05 – Supporting at hip and thigh 2:30 – Continued repetitions 3:05 – Wrap-up and explanation 3:10 – Subscribe & notifications