Children’s movement, coordination and development depend on their nervous system functioning optimally. We assess and address neurological factors that may be holding your child back.Specialist children’s neurodevelopment assessment and treatment using Functional Neurology. Based in Shiremoor, Newcastle.
| 17 years clinical experience | 5-star rated (30+ reviews) | Free taster session | Free parking on site | Sessions available this week |
Children’s development follows predictable neurological stages. Rolling, sitting, crawling, standing, walking, running, jumping, catching. Each milestone builds on the ones before and prepares for the ones to come.
When neurological development proceeds normally, children progress through these stages smoothly. Their movement becomes more coordinated, their balance more stable, their physical capabilities more sophisticated.
But sometimes development does not proceed smoothly. A child may be delayed in reaching milestones. They may achieve milestones but with less coordination than expected. They may struggle with activities that peers find easy. They may appear clumsy, uncoordinated or physically uncertain.
These challenges often have neurological roots. The child’s nervous system may not be providing clear information. Receptor function may be impaired. Visual or vestibular systems may not be developing optimally. Integration between systems may be incomplete.
When these neurological factors are identified and addressed, children often make rapid progress because the underlying barrier to development is removed.
At Breakthrough Pain & Performance, we use P-DTR (Proprioceptive Deep Tendon Reflex) and functional neurology to identify the neurological dysfunction causing your back pain. Your nervous system controls everything in your body, including muscle tension, joint stability, and pain signals. When there is dysfunction in this system, the result is often pain, weakness, or movement problems.
We assess your entire body to find where the dysfunction originates. Often, back pain is caused by problems elsewhere, such as the feet, hips, or even the jaw. By identifying and correcting these dysfunctions, we resolve back pain at its source.
This is not about cracking your spine or stretching tight muscles. It is about finding why your body is producing pain and fixing that.
Developmental Delays:
Children who are slower than expected to reach physical milestones. We assess whether neurological factors are contributing and address them.
Coordination Difficulties:
Children who struggle with coordinated movement, appearing clumsy or physically uncertain. We identify which systems are not integrating well.
Balance Problems:
Children who have difficulty with balance activities, falling more than expected or avoiding balance challenges. We assess vestibular and proprioceptive function.
Motor Planning Issues:
Children who struggle to learn new physical skills or execute movements in sequence. We evaluate how their nervous system plans and coordinates movement.
Visual-Motor Integration:
Children who have difficulty with activities requiring hand-eye coordination, such as catching, throwing, writing or drawing. We assess how visual and motor systems work together.
Physical Pain:
Children experiencing pain that limits their activities. We apply the same neurological assessment used for adults, adapted for children.
Post-Injury Issues:
Children whose development or movement has been affected by injury or illness.
Children are not small adults. Their nervous systems are still developing, which means assessment and treatment require specific adaptations.
Children’s responses to testing may be different from adults. Their ability to report symptoms may be limited. Their attention span and cooperation vary with age and temperament.
We are experienced in working with children and adapt our approach accordingly. Assessment is made as game-like as possible for younger children. We explain what we are doing in age-appropriate terms. We work with parents to understand the child’s history and current challenges.
The fundamental principles are the same as with adults: test neurological function, identify dysfunction, correct it, prove the change. But the implementation is tailored to the child.
Parents frequently notice issues that others dismiss as normal variation or something the child will grow out of.
These observations often point to neurological factors that can be identified and addressed. Trusting parental observation is important because you know your child better than anyone.
We begin by taking a detailed developmental history from parents. We want to understand pregnancy and birth, early milestones, any injuries or illnesses, and the current challenges you are observing.
We then assess the child using age-appropriate neurological testing. We evaluate motor control, coordination, balance, visual function and proprioceptive integration. We identify which systems are not functioning optimally.
When we find dysfunction, we address it using techniques adapted for children. Corrections are gentle and quick. We make the process as engaging as possible for the child.
We may give simple home activities to support neurological development between sessions. These are designed to be achievable and integrated into normal play and activities.
Progress is typically visible. Parents often report improvements in coordination, confidence and physical capability as we address the underlying neurological factors.
If any of this describes your child, neurological factors may be contributing. Assessment can identify whether this is the case.
“Our son was labelled clumsy and we were told he would grow out of it. Sam found specific neurological issues and addressed them. The change in his coordination has been remarkable.”
— Parent, Newcastle
“Our daughter struggled with balance and avoided playground equipment. After working with Sam, she plays confidently with her friends.”
— Parent, North Tyneside
If your child's physical development, coordination or movement is not progressing as expected, neurological factors may be contributing. We assess children comprehensively and address the dysfunction holding them back. Book a free taster session to discuss your child's situation and find out how we can help.Based in Shiremoor, Newcastle. Serving North Tyneside and surrounding areas. Sessions available this week. Free parking on site.
