Rounded Posture? Weak Back? Crab Position Strengthening 👱🏻‍♀️🦀 | Down Syndrome PT #207

Crab Position Strength for Low Tone 👱🏻‍♀️🦀 | Back & Hip Extension Exercise Pediatric Physical Therapy with Myla | @pediatricPTexercises I’m back with my co-instructor, Myla 👱🏻‍♀️ — an 8-year-old with low tone and Down syndrome — and her sister Maycie (age 11) 👱🏻‍♀️ joins us again to help demonstrate today’s activity. In our last video, we worked on modified bear strength, which emphasizes flexion muscle groups. In this video, we flip things around and work the opposite muscle pattern using a crab position (hands and feet on the floor with hips lifted). This exercise targets: • Upper back extension • Shoulder retraction • Hip extension • Trunk strengthening These muscle groups are often weaker in children with low tone, who frequently show a more rounded posture. You’ll first see Maycie demonstrate the crab position and lifting the hips off the floor. Then we assist Myla. This position is still challenging for her, so we provide support by: • Stabilizing her arms • Stabilizing her feet • Helping lift through the hips so she can feel the correct movement Sometimes children will barely lift their hips. Providing a clear target for how high the belly should come up can help them understand the goal of the exercise. ✨ What You’ll Learn 🦀 What the crab position is and how it strengthens extension muscles 👧🏽 How children with low tone may need assistance to find the movement 💪🏿 Why upper back and hip extension are important for posture 🎯 How providing a movement target helps children lift higher 👧🏻👧🏽👧🏾 How siblings and helpers can demonstrate and motivate practice 🎥 Timestamps 0:03 Introduction & who is here 0:17 Why we are working extension instead of flexion 0:32 Maycie demonstrates crab position 0:52 Setting up Myla's hand position 1:04 Assisted hip lifts 1:39 Using playful motivation to encourage lifting 1:47 Why extension strengthening matters for low tone 2:10 How assistance helps children learn the movement 2:35 Using a height target to improve hip lift 2:41 Closing Watch Myla’s full playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAkJbMrHyKjMZYC1aYPuXrp-I9VFpNhCu Helpful for parents & professionals searching for: Crab position exercise for kids Low tone strengthening activities Down syndrome physical therapy exercises Hip extension exercise for children Postural strengthening for hypotonia Pediatric physical therapy exercises for posture Whether you’re a parent, therapist, educator, or caregiver 👨🏾‍👩🏽‍👧🏼, this activity strengthens the back, hips, and trunk while helping children experience important extension patterns that support posture and movement. Website: www.pediatricPTexercises.com Facebook: Pediatric Physical Therapy Exercises Email: amysturkey@gmail.com My books on 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 Pediatric PT Strengthening Exercises for the Hips → https://www.amazon.com/dp/0998156736 Pediatric PT Strengthening Exercises for the Knees → https://www.amazon.com/dp/0998156760 Pediatric PT Strengthening Exercises for the Ankles → https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08TX2ZCFD