Small Strides Physical Therapy is a private pediatric practice offering mobile Physical Therapy evaluation and treatment in the home of families on the North Shore of Boston, MA.

 

Hello!  I am Erin Ward, PT, DPT, owner and founder of Small Strides Physical Therapy.   My goal for Small Strides is to reach families within my community in their natural setting, their home.  I believe that by making small changes now to your daily routine, larger goals can be reached in a more manageable and sustainable way.

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ABOUT ME

 

I moved to Newburyport a few years ago and have found the most wonderful community.  I am a lover of the beach, walks and sunshine, all of which are made better by my husband, dog and two daughters.  Becoming a mother and raising my daughters has strengthened my skills as a therapist, both by allowing me to have a regular personal patient, and helping me to understand and relate to the daily challenges that families encounter.  I am a firm believer that Vermont is the best state, there is no better store than Costco and nothing that can't be solved with a dance party.

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When my second daughter was born I immediately noticed she was only turning one way and had extreme difficulty with pacifiers and bottles.  I was surprised and frustrated with the challenges I experienced trying to find a community to aide in her growth.  Despite her functional deficits, and support from our pediatrician and additional medical professionals, I was unable to find a knowledgeable team with a whole body approach.  This is when I educated myself on the ways I could assist her and created a business to reach the families who wish to find a proactive, whole body treatment to their child's tension, side preferences, torticollis, or developmental delay.

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I can't wait to meet your family and make those small strides to bring more movement into your child's life!

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WORK EXPERIENCE 

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I graduated from Wesleyan University with a Bachelors in Science in 2010 and from Simmons University with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2014. From there, I began to work at Spaulding Outpatient Center for Children in Salem, MA where I was contracted out as a school-based PT, provided aquatic therapy and gained valuable experience treating children ages 0-22 with varied gross motor diagnoses and challenges. As a pediatric therapist, I love the  creativity, spontaneity, and flexibility that is required to work with children.  I am a high energy, collaborative and quirky therapist who loves making games out of my treatments!

 

CONTINUING EDUCATION

 

Plagiocephaly/Torticollis: Erin believes treating torticollis and plagiocephaly begins from the moment a side preference or flatness is noted.  She works with families to improve the shape of their babies head without a helmet through positioning techniques and stretching.​

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• The Therapist's Role in Treating Plagiocephaly Without a Helmet- Baby Begin

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Tethered Oral Tissues: Erin has participated in additional education to better understand tethered oral tissues (TOTs) or tongue/lip ties and how they relate to whole body function and positioning.  She has learned about surgical releases through direct observation with dentists and the physical therapist's role in the recovery after such procedures.

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• TOTs Training- Chrysalis Orofacial

• Untying Ankyloglossia: The Impact on Infants and Children- Dr. Bobby Ghaheri

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Gross Motor Development: Erin has done additional training to understand appropriate techniques to encourage your child to progress through their gross motor skills.  She has trained to learn the foundational skills required to allow your child to progress to their next stage, as well as how to break down individual milestones into smaller markers.

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• Building Blocks for Clinicians- KinActive Kids

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Lactation Informed Therapist: Erin has worked to educate herself further on understanding the physical therapist's role in supporting families and their lactation goals, specifically for children with torticollis, tension and ties.

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• The Physical Therapist's Role in Breastfeeding- The Lactation OT

• Bodywork For Better Breastfeeding- The Lactation OT

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Healthy Breathing and Orofacial Development: Erin has taken additional training to understand how your child's breathing habits can impact orofacial development, posture and function, as well as how to approach a treatment strategy for improved whole body outcomes.

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• Baby Jaws & Breathing: Nose to Toes ABCs for Early Intervention- Dr. Cynthia Peterson with Breathe Function Thrive

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