Weak Back? Sitting Rounded? Try This Back & Hip Extension Exercise 👨🏻‍🦰💪🏽 | SMA Pediatric PT #24

In this video, I work with Cillian 👨🏻‍🦰, who is 2 years, 3 months old, on building trunk strength through **back extension and hip extension**. I’m Amy Sturkey 👩🏼, a retired pediatric physical therapist. In this session, we focus on leaning forward to retrieve a toy and then coming all the way back up to upright. 📘 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: • Back (trunk) extension • Hip extension • Upright postural control • Controlled movement from flexion → extension • Symmetry and directional strengthening 💡 What’s Happening in This Session Cillian leans forward to retrieve a toy and then works to come all the way back up to upright. • He reaches down toward the toy • Then actively extends to return to sitting • Repeats the movement for strengthening and control • Uses a motivating toy (“pop”) to encourage effort I use several strategies to help him succeed: • My heels are placed behind his heels to block backward sliding • Dycem (an anti-slip surface) is used for added stability • My knees help guide and stabilize his hips • Assistance is provided as needed to complete the movement I also position the toy to encourage him to look and work toward a more challenging direction. 🧠 Why This Matters Children with SMA often have difficulty with anti-gravity extension. This activity builds: • Back extensor strength 💪🏽 • Hip extensor strength 💪🏿 • Upright control and endurance 🧑🏾‍🦱 • Functional transitions and recovery ⬆️ Cillian is wearing a TLSO (thoracolumbosacral orthosis) to support his spine due to scoliosis, which helps maintain alignment during strengthening. ⚠️ 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 📚 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 0:20 – Explaining back extension activity 0:45 – Setup: blocking heels and hips 1:05 – Assisted extension effort 1:21 – Reward with “pop” toy 1:40 – Final repetitions and positioning 2:12 – Clinical explanation and TLSO 2:35 – Wrap-up and next activity