Toe walking is a commonly seen walking pattern where a child may walk tip-toed instead of with their feet flat. This can be caused by any number of reasons ranging from tightness in muscles to underlying diagnoses like cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, or a hypermobility syndrome. Whatever the cause of toe walking, physical therapy is indicated to address the altered movement pattern. If toe walking is left untreated, it can lead to muscle restrictions, joint changes, and frequent falls. It can also make it hard to fit into shoes and cause joint pain later in life. That is why whatever the reason your child walks on their toes, it is important to help them achieve a more normal walking pattern. Here are our favorite exercises to use with our toe walking patients and why.
1. Squatting
Our favorite way to encourage repeated squatting is by having your child help to clean up their toys! With each toy they pick up from the floor, they’ve achieved another squat. This helps to get a good stretch of the back of the leg while promoting strength in the legs and core.
If your child is younger or less mobile, you can start them sitting on your lap with their feet flat on the floor, and then stand them up by shifting their weight forward so they press through their feet and stand tall.
2. Balancing on one leg
Balancing on one leg can be a challenge for children (and adults) of all ages. Encouraging a flat-footed stance while balancing on one leg can make daily tasks more interesting. Try having your child brush their teeth while standing on one leg – this will be amusing to everyone involved. You can also turn it into a family competition of who can balance the longest?
3. Climbing stairs
This activity has so many wonderful benefits. Repeated stair climbing encourages great strength in the legs while it improves your child’s overall endurance. It also helps to provide dynamic stretching to the calf of the stance leg when a child walks down the stairs. Be sure to encourage your child to alternate which leg is leading so both sides get stretched and exercised!
4. Scooter boards and standing scooters
Seated scooter boards allow for a child to dig their heels into the ground and get good sensory input through their legs to help their brain learn about striking their heel when they take a step. This crucial part of walking is what our toe walkers miss, so this activity can be really helpful for them to learn how to start taking the next step.
Standing scooters are also great practice for learning balance, improving strength and endurance in the legs, and getting a good stretch – similar to when they climb the stairs!
5. Core strengthening
Our favorite way to get your child engaged in core strengthening is to use animal walks. Walking like a bear, crab, or inch worm can promote good core activation and leg stretching at the same time.
Want extra help?
Schedule an appointment or request a phone consult with the pediatric physical therapists at Highbar. We are happy to help you through this process and help improve your child’s walking.