Catherine D. Franks, MSPT

Pediatric Physical Therapist

Ms. Catherine D. Franks is a Pediatric Physical Therapist in St. Petersburg, FL with special training and skill in diagnosing, treating, and managing a variety of developmental, neuromuscular, congenital, skeletal, and acquired diseases and disorders in infants, children and adolescents. As a Pediatric Physical Therapist, Catherine D. Franks, MSPT performs medical diagnosis and treatment of balance and coordination disorders, impaired motor skills, strength and endurance disorders, and cognitive and sensory processing disorders. Pediatric Physical Therapy is a medical specialty dealing with children's musculoskeletal, spinal, neurological, balance, and cognitive disorders. Significant diseases and conditions treated by Pediatric Physical Therapists include multiple sclerosis (MS), orthopedic and skeletal dysfunction, spina bifida, athletic or traumatic injury, congenital physical impairment, spinal cord injury, neurological disorders like stroke, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and Parkinson's disease. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Pediatric Physical Therapists include diagnostic imaging, practical development of motor and mobility skills, adapting toys for play, therapeutic strength and endurance exercise, balance and coordination activities, parental care education, water therapy, and applying assistive technology.

A licensed physical therapist, including but not limited to an individual who is a Board Certified Specialist in Pediatric Physical Therapy, who has demonstrated specialized knowledge and skill in anatomy, histology, including embryonic development, genetics, biomechanics, neurological function, neuroscience, and pathology, behavioral sciences, and understanding of diseases or conditions that necessitate physical therapy care, that affect systems that in turn necessitate physical therapy care (comorbidities), and that influence the type of intervention that can be given.