Toe Walking
Some children walk on their toes rather than their feet, appearing to be walking on their “tip-toes”. It is common for infants to “Toe-walk” when first learning to walk.
Toe-Walking & What it means -
Does your child tend to prefer walking on their tip toes?
Toe walking is a specific gait pattern in which a child walks on the balls of their feet with no heel contact. Toe walking can be normal in children who are first learning to walk but after the age of 2, a typically developing child should be walking with a heel-to-toe gait pattern.
In some cases, there may be an underlying condition that is causing a child to walk on their toes; in which, care intervention is needed to treat it. Persistent toe walking may cause a child to develop tightness in their ankles. Treatments that stretch the calf muscle can be beneficial and loosen these muscles. Majority of children will not need intervention for toe walking and will be able to stop on their own.
Toe Walking
Some children walk on their toes rather than their feet, appearing to be walking on their “tip-toes”. It is common for infants to “Toe-walk” when first learning to walk.
Toe-Walking & What it means -
Does your child tend to prefer walking on their tip toes?
Toe walking is a specific gait pattern in which a child walks on the balls of their feet with no heel contact. Toe walking can be normal in children who are first learning to walk but after the age of 2, a typically developing child should be walking with a heel-to-toe gait pattern.
In some cases, there may be an underlying condition that is causing a child to walk on their toes; in which, care intervention is needed to treat it. Persistent toe walking may cause a child to develop tightness in their ankles. Treatments that stretch the calf muscle can be beneficial and loosen these muscles. Majority of children will not need intervention for toe walking and will be able to stop on their own.
Toe Walking
Some children walk on their toes rather than their feet, appearing to be walking on their “tip-toes”. It is common for infants to “Toe-walk” when first learning to walk.
Toe-Walking & What it means -
Does your child tend to prefer walking on their tip toes?
Toe walking is a specific gait pattern in which a child walks on the balls of their feet with no heel contact. Toe walking can be normal in children who are first learning to walk but after the age of 2, a typically developing child should be walking with a heel-to-toe gait pattern.
In some cases, there may be an underlying condition that is causing a child to walk on their toes; in which, care intervention is needed to treat it. Persistent toe walking may cause a child to develop tightness in their ankles. Treatments that stretch the calf muscle can be beneficial and loosen these muscles. Majority of children will not need intervention for toe walking and will be able to stop on their own.
Why is my child toe walking?
There are many potential causes of toe walking, from “idiopathic” (meaning the cause is unknown) to neurological.
Here are a few common causes of toe walking in children:
-
Idiopathic:
The root cause of toe walking can be an unknown factor. In some children, this can also become a habit if they were consistently toe walking when learning to walk.
-
Sensory seeking or sensory avoiding:
Toe walking can often be seen in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. In these cases, children begin walking on their toes in an attempt to avoid certain textures and surfaces.
-
Cerebral Palsy:
This is a neurological disorder that affects muscle tone, motor skills, coordination, etc. which can lead to tightness and shortening of muscles contributing to toe walking.
-
Decreased Range of motion:
Children who persistently walked on their toes when first learning to walk can develop tightness in their ankles and calf muscles leading to continued toe walking.
There are many potential causes of toe walking, from “idiopathic” (meaning the cause is unknown) to neurological.
Here are a few common causes of toe walking in children:
-
Idiopathic:
The root cause of toe walking can be an unknown factor. In some children, this can also become a habit if they were consistently toe walking when learning to walk.
-
Sensory seeking or sensory avoiding:
Toe walking can often be seen in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. In these cases, children begin walking on their toes in an attempt to avoid certain textures and surfaces.
-
Cerebral Palsy:
This is a neurological disorder that affects muscle tone, motor skills, coordination, etc. which can lead to tightness and shortening of the muscles that would be contributing to toe walking.
-
Decreased Range of motion:
Children who persistently walked on their toes when first learning to walk can develop tightness in their ankles and calf muscles leading to continued toe walking.
There are many potential causes of toe walking, from “idiopathic” (meaning the cause is unknown) to neurological.
Here are a few common causes of toe walking in children:
-
Idiopathic:
The root cause of toe walking can be an unknown factor. In some children, this can also become a habit if they were consistently toe walking when learning to walk.
-
Sensory seeking or sensory avoiding:
Toe walking can often be seen in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. In these cases, children begin walking on their toes in an attempt to avoid certain textures and surfaces.
-
Cerebral Palsy:
This is a neurological disorder that affects muscle tone, motor skills, coordination, etc. which can lead to tightness and shortening of the muscles that would be contributing to toe walking.
-
Decreased Range of motion:
Children who persistently walked on their toes when first learning to walk can develop tightness in their ankles and calf muscles leading to continued toe walking.
There are many potential causes of toe walking, from “idiopathic” (meaning the cause is unknown) to neurological.
Here are a few common causes of toe walking in children:
-
Idiopathic:
The root cause of toe walking can be an unknown factor. In some children, this can also become a habit if they were consistently toe walking when learning to walk.
-
Sensory seeking or sensory avoiding:
Toe walking can often be seen in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. In these cases, children begin walking on their toes in an attempt to avoid certain textures and surfaces.
-
Cerebral Palsy:
This is a neurological disorder that affects muscle tone, motor skills, coordination, etc. which can lead to tightness and shortening of the muscles that would be contributing to toe walking.
-
Decreased Range of motion:
Children who persistently walked on their toes when first learning to walk can develop tightness in their ankles and calf muscles leading to continued toe walking.
How Can a Physical Therapist Help?
If you notice that your child is spending an increased amount of time on their toes when walking or running, one of our Physical Therapists can provide you with an assessment of your child’s range of motion, gross motor skills, neurological development, foot posture, and developmental milestones.
At Valley Kids Therapy, we have pediatric physical therapists who are equipped to provide you with a free screening of your little one and address any questions or concerns you may have.
If you notice that your child is spending an increased amount of time on their toes when walking or running, our Physical Therapists can provide you with an assessment of your child’s range of motion, gross motor skills, neurological development, foot posture, and developmental milestones.
At Valley Kids Therapy, we have pediatric physical therapists who are equipped to provide you with a free screening of your little one and address any questions or concerns you may have.
If you notice that your child is spending an increased amount of time on their toes when walking or running, our Physical Therapists can provide you with an assessment of your child’s range of motion, gross motor skills, neurological development, foot posture, and developmental milestones.
At Valley Kids Therapy, we have pediatric physical therapists who are equipped to provide you with a free screening of your little one and address any questions or concerns you may have.