HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – Adventist Health Clear Lake is proud to introduce a new service focused on Lake County’s littlest patients.

Pediatric physical therapy provides expert support to children with special needs, disabilities or disorders and is now offered in Hidden Valley Lake.

Physical therapy may be prescribed for a child because of a congenital condition, developmental delay, hospitalization or surgery.

Because children’s bodies and minds are unique, physical therapists need different techniques and approaches to serve them.

Treatment options include exercises and activities to increase muscle strength, neuromuscular re-education, balance training, gait training and more.

The physical therapy clinic in Hidden Valley Lake has specialized equipment, private spaces and a highly-trained physical therapist dedicated to helping a child reach his or her goals.

Alexa Yancey, PT, DPT, has a passion for helping children live to the fullest and is responsible for bringing the service to Lake County.

Yancey received her doctorate of physical therapy at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in Princess Anne, Maryland, and has pursued additional training in pediatric physical therapy. She joined the Adventist Health Clear Lake team in 2017.

“Pediatric physical therapy starts with an assessment of a child’s needs, setting appropriate goals and creating an individualized plan for treatment in the clinic and at home,” Yancey explained.

She trains parents and caregivers so that children can be supported at home, school and while spending time with friends. “I love hearing stories about how my patients begin to thrive when they have the support and tools they need,” Yancey said.

Yancey was inspired to start the pediatric physical therapy service after talking with parents about the burden of travelling outside the county, sometimes multiple times a week, to access specialized care for their children.

“Starting physical therapy at the right time and regular sessions is important as children quickly grow and change,” Yancey said. “Having this service close to home means more children will have access to care.”

Pediatric physical therapy requires a physician referral and is covered by most major insurance plans.

The Adventist Health Clear Lake Physical Therapy Center in Hidden Valley is located at 18990 Coyote Valley Drive, Suite 11, and may be reached by calling 707-987-9046.