PEDIATRIC PHYSICAL THERAPY

Dr. Alexia Herrera leads OPTC’s pediatric physical therapy services and works with children and adolescents who need help with movement, development, orthopedic recovery, sports participation, and functional mobility. Her clinical focus includes pediatric orthopedic rehabilitation, developmental and motor delays, pediatric neuro/ortho care, youth athlete return-to-sport, and adaptive sports rehabilitation.

This page is designed to help families understand the types of pediatric patients Dr. Herrera sees at OPTC and when pediatric physical therapy may be the right next step.

**If you are seeking pediatric care at OPTC, appointments should be booked with Dr. Alexia Herrera.

Meet Dr. Alexia Herrera

Dr. Alexia Herrera, DPT, FAAOMPT, OCS provides the pediatric physical therapy services at OPTC.

She brings advanced training in orthopedic and manual physical therapy along with a special interest in helping pediatric patients improve movement, function, confidence, and participation in daily life, school, recreation, and sports.

Dr. Herrera’s pediatric treatment focus includes:

• pediatric orthopedic rehabilitation

• developmental and motor milestone delays

• pediatric neuro/ortho cases

• youth athlete rehabilitation and return to sport

• adaptive sports and functional mobility training

Families seeking pediatric physical therapy at OPTC should schedule with Dr. Herrera specifically.

👉 Learn more about Dr. Alexia Herrera

What Types of Pediatric Patients Does Dr. Herrera Treat?

Dr. Herrera treats children and adolescents with a wide range of movement, orthopedic, developmental, and functional concerns, including:

• delayed crawling, standing, and walking

• gross motor delays

• torticollis and plagiocephaly

• toe walking

• balance and coordination difficulties

• frequent falls

• low or high muscle tone

• pediatric orthopedic injuries

• post-operative rehabilitation needs

• neurological and genetic conditions affecting mobility and function

• youth athlete return-to-sport and injury prevention needs

• adaptive sports and functional mobility goals

Her treatment approach is individualized to the child’s age, developmental level, movement needs, activity demands, and family goals.

Developmental Delays & Motor Milestones

Dr. Herrera works with children who need support with early movement development and motor skill progression.

This may include:

• delayed crawling

• delayed standing

• delayed walking

• gross motor delays

• torticollis and plagiocephaly

• toe walking

• frequent falls

• low or high muscle tone

• balance and coordination challenges

Treatment focuses on helping children build movement skills, strength, coordination, and confidence while giving parents clear direction on how to support progress outside the clinic.

Pediatric Neurological & Genetic Conditions

Dr. Herrera also treats children with neurological and genetic conditions that affect movement, mobility, coordination, and function.

This may include:

• Cerebral Palsy

• Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

• Spina Bifida

• Developmental Coordination Disorder

• other neuromuscular and genetic conditions affecting movement and function

At OPTC, this care is approached with an emphasis on functional mobility, strength, endurance, coordination, and real-life participation, with particular interest in children who benefit from a pediatric neuro/ortho approach rather than a narrow diagnosis-only model.

Pediatric Orthopedic Rehabilitation

Pediatric orthopedic rehabilitation is a major area of focus for Dr. Herrera at OPTC.

She commonly works with children and adolescents recovering from:

• growth plate injuries

• sprains and strains

• fractures

• Osgood-Schlatter Disease

• Sever’s Disease

• knee pain

• hip pain

• ankle pain

• post-operative rehabilitation

Treatment is designed to restore motion, reduce pain, rebuild strength, and return the child safely to play, activity, and sport.

Youth Athlete Performance, Return to Sport & Injury Prevention

Dr. Herrera also works with youth athletes who need guidance returning to sport safely and performing at a higher level.

This may include:

• movement assessments

• return-to-sport testing

• injury prevention screenings

• ACL injury prevention programs

• running analysis

• strength and conditioning guidance

• sport-specific performance training

This is especially valuable for young athletes recovering from injury, dealing with recurring pain, or wanting to reduce the risk of future setbacks.

Adaptive Sports & Pediatric Rehabilitation

An important part of Dr. Herrera’s pediatric work includes helping children with neurological, developmental, and physical disabilities participate more fully in sports, recreation, school activities, and everyday life.

This may include:

• adaptive sports rehabilitation

• gait and mobility training

• balance and coordination training

• strength and endurance development

• motor skill development

• injury recovery and prevention

• return to recreational and sports activities

• functional mobility training

The goal is to help each child build greater confidence, independence, and participation in the activities that matter most.

How Dr. Herrera Approaches Pediatric Care at OPTC

Pediatric care should never feel generic.

Dr. Herrera’s treatment approach is individualized to each child’s:

• age

• diagnosis or movement presentation

• developmental level

• orthopedic or neurological needs

• sport or activity demands

• family goals

Her care emphasizes:

• one-on-one treatment

• movement-based therapy

• functional progress that matters in real life

• family education and support

• orthopedic and return-to-sport thinking when appropriate

• adaptive and participation-based goals when needed

The goal is not simply to complete exercises in the clinic, but to help each child move better, function better, and participate more fully in life.

What Parents Can Expect

Parents working with Dr. Herrera can expect:

• a thorough pediatric evaluation

• clear communication

• individualized treatment goals

• practical guidance for home and activity

• treatment that supports both the child and family

You should leave each visit with a better understanding of what is limiting your child, what the plan is, and how progress will be supported.

Pediatric Physical Therapy in Fort Mill & Charlotte

Osteopractic Physical Therapy of the Carolinas provides pediatric physical therapy for families in:

• Fort Mill, SC

• Charlotte, NC

• Rock Hill, SC

• Tega Cay, SC

• surrounding Carolinas communities

Pediatric services at OPTC are provided by Dr. Alexia Herrera.

If your child needs help with movement, development, orthopedic recovery, sports participation, adaptive mobility, or return to activity, pediatric physical therapy with Dr. Herrera may be the right next step.

Looking for Pediatric Physical Therapy?

If your child needs help with movement, development, orthopedic recovery, return to sport, or adaptive mobility, we’d be happy to help you determine the right next step.