Curious to see if your child could benefit from Toe Walking Therapy?

What is ---?

About Toe Walking

What is toe walking?
Toe walking is when a child walks on their tip toes or the balls of their feet, rather than using a typical heel-toe gait pattern. This walking pattern may occur consistently or intermittently.
How can OT help?
Sensory Integration is often key to reducing idiopathic toe walking. OT incorporates multi-sensory strategies throughout your child’s daily routine to fulfill their sensory needs and reduce the need to seek additional input by walking on their toes.

OT intervention(s) may address:
  • Tactile input
  • Proprioceptive input
  • Vestibular input
  • Visual processing
  • Primitive reflex integration
  • Body awareness, regulation, and/or arousal level

How can PT help?
PT addresses musculoskeletal and neuromotor components that may be related to the shortening of muscles or abnormal tone.

PT intervention(s) may address:
  • Stretching
  • Strengthening
  • Balance
  • Alignment
  • Postural Control
  • Electrical Stimulation
  • Soft Casting or Serial Casting 
Why does my child toe walk?
  • Sensory processing dysfunction
  • Vision dysfunction
  • Musculoskeletal involvement
  • Neuromotor involvement
Why should toe walking be addressed?
Toe walking is never considered a “normal” walking pattern. If toe walking persists past age 2, it may contribute to further:
  • Sensory processing challenges
  • Vestibular dysfunction
  • Impaired body awareness
  • Visual processing challenges
  • Impaired balance
  • Poor posture
  • Pain
  • Ankle instability
Early intervention can prevent:
  • Botox Injections: provided to relieve tight muscles
  • Surgery: may be performed to lengthen the Achilles Tendon if other treatment options are not effective