Healing Bridge Physical Therapy - Pediatric Specialists in Bend Oregon

Pediatric Physical Therapy
Helping children reach their full potential with warmth and fun

Does your 9 month old need help sitting up?

Is your 15 month old not walking?

Does your child have a movement disorder
such as cerebral palsy?

Is your child unusually “stiff” or “floppy”?

If the answer to any of the above is “yes,” physical therapy can:
•	Facilitate normal developmental progress
•	Inhibit development of tight muscles
•	Increase joint range of motion and muscle strength.
•	Increase endurance for gross motor activities.
•	Increase movement patterns the child is able to use.
•	Improve coordination.
•	Increase ability to move from one position to another.
•	Improve posture in sitting, standing, and walking.
•	Improve balance across a variety of surfaces and positions
•	Help your child function as independently as possible
•	Make recommendations regarding appropriate adaptive equipment
•	Teach you how to help your child at home, during your everyday activities

What is Pediatric P.T.?
Pediatric physical therapists help children reach their maximum potential for functional independence by facilitating motor development, improving function and overall coordination, increasing strength and balance, and providing family education.

We treat children from birth through adolescence, and collaborate with families and other medical specialists to develop the best plan of care for each child.

Our Mission
Our mission at Healing Bridge Physical Therapy is to provide quality, easily accessible pediatric physical therapy with warmth and compassion in a fun environment.

Hippotherapy in Bend Oregon

Our Specialty Programs

Aquatic Therapy: The properties of water can address posture, balance, strength, coordination, breath control, and attention all at the same time. Water has a liberating effect on children who have difficulty moving and playing in our gravity-filled environment.

Hippotherapy is a treatment approach that uses the movement of the horse to enhance neuro- muscular function and sensory processing. We have partnered with Healing Reins Therapeutic Riding Center to provide this program. Clinical problems that can be addressed utilizing hippo- therapy include abnormal muscle tone, impaired postural control, poor balance and coordination, decreased mobility, and impaired sensory processing.

A physician's referral and medical release are required to be considered for hippotherapy. An evaluation will be performed at Healing Bridge Physical Therapy by Georgia Merrifield PT to determine if hippotherapy is an appropriate treatment tool.

Together we have over 40 years experience in Pediatrics.

We are preferred providers for most private insurance plans in the Northwest. We are also providers for the Oregon Health Plan.

Prior to initiating physical therapy a comprehensive evaluation must be completed by one of our pediatric therapists. A treatment program then will be discussed and implemented. To schedule a free screening or an evaluation for your child call 541-318-7041.

Georgia Merrifield PT, PCS, heads up Healing Bridge’s pediatric services. She has been working in the field of pediatric physical therapy since 1970. (click here to read more about Georgia and see her professional biography)
• BS Physical Therapy from Ithaca College
• MS Human Development from Texas Tech University
• Pediatric Certified Specialist
• Certified in Neurodevelopmental Treatment Approach
• Registered in Hippotherapy Treatment Approach

Christen Eby PT
(click here to read more about Christen and see her professional biography)
• BS Speech Communication from Portland State University
• MS Physical Therapy from Western University of Health Sciences