Hip Strengthening for Kids with SMA & Hip Dysplasia 🦴 | Side-to-Side Weight Shift | Pediatric PT #12

Hip Strengthening for Kids with SMA & Hip Dysplasia 🦴 | Side-to-Side Weight Shift for Hip Activation #12 Oh boy! This is going to be fun. Please meet my newest co-instructor, Cillian. Cillian has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). He was diagnosed with SMA through a newborn screen here in the United States. He received Risdiplam by day 5 until he could get Zolgensma, the one-time gene therapy, at 5 weeks of age. He restarted Risdiplam once he was 10 months old. He is also diagnosed with nystagmus, cranial asymmetry, scoliosis, and hip dysplasia. He started physical therapy at 3 months of age and now receives physical therapy, occupational therapy, and feeding therapy. He began his YouTube stardom at 20 months of age. 🚗🐰💛 In this session, Cillian practices supported standing at a chest-high PVC bar while I guide side-to-side hip weight shifting—a crucial movement pattern for healthy hip development. Before children walk, they naturally cruise along furniture, getting tons of lateral hip loading. Kids who are non-ambulatory often miss that movement, so we recreate it through supported side-to-side weight shift. 💡 Therapy Focus ✔️ Dynamic side-to-side hip activation (abduction/adduction) ✔️ Both-feet-down weight shift + one-foot-up single-leg weight shift ✔️ Supported standing using TheraTogs, foot orthotics, and bamboo knee orthotics ✔️ Encouraging hip “tucking” for improved stability ✔️ Simple home setup using a chest-high PVC supported-standing bar 🛠️ What We Used (and Tips) • PVC bar positioned at chest height for supported standing • TheraTogs + foot orthotics + bamboo knee orthotics for alignment • Hands-on support throughout (Cillian does not stand independently) • Alternate both-feet and single-leg loading to increase hip activation • Prioritize comfort, alignment, and safety during weight shifts 📺 Follow All of Cillian’s Progress: 👉🏽 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAdeLalGuhU&list=PLAkJbMrHyKjOBUy-rQKVN5ACa37e72liK&index=2 ⚠️ Important Note These videos are educational and not a replacement for in-person pediatric physical therapy. Every child is unique. Please consult a licensed pediatric therapist before trying new activities. I can’t 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 📚 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 PT 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 I reviewed and corrected the captions to ensure they’re accurate and easy to understand—even if English isn’t your first language. To turn on captions: click CC on the video. To change languages: ⚙️ Settings → Subtitles/CC → Auto-translate → choose your language. ⏱️ Chapter Timestamps 0:00 – Meet Amy & Cillian 👋🏻 0:12 – Today’s focus: hip loading with side-to-side weight shift 🦵🏽 0:25 – Setup: PVC bar + TheraTogs + orthotics 0:40 – Why side-to-side motion supports hip development 0:55 – Both-feet-down hip weight shift 1:10 – One-foot-up single-leg loading 1:24 – Dynamic weight-bearing: why it helps the hips 1:38 – Recreating cruising for non-ambulatory children 1:52 – Wrap-up & what this supports next 🔔 2:05 – Subscribe for the next session