Physical Therapy Clinics in St. Louis, MO
Physical Therapy Clinics in St. Louis, MO
- 10733 Big Bend Rd, Suite 160, Kirkwood, MO 63122 (also a St. Peters location)
- (314) 403-0262
- therapystationstl.com
- Torticollis, hyper- and hypotonia, gross motor skills, balance, coordination, and strength
- What they're known for: A multi-location practice (Kirkwood and St. Peters) offering clinic, school/daycare, and online PT — convenient for families who want flexible delivery and the option to coordinate PT alongside the practice's speech and feeding services.
- 5614 Hampton Ave, St. Louis, MO 63109
- (314) 626-3214
- togetherinmotiontherapy.com
- Motor delays, torticollis/plagiocephaly, coordination and balance, orthopedic and neurological conditions, and pediatric pelvic floor
- What they're known for: A south-city practice offering 1:1 PT plus infant and toddler group classes, with the relatively rare addition of pediatric pelvic-floor therapy — a fit for families seeking specialized care close to the city.
- 456 N New Ballas Rd, Suite 211, Creve Coeur, MO 63141
- (314) 227-2124
- acornchildrenstherapy.com
- Developmental, congenital, and skeletal conditions, coordination, balance, delayed walking, and frequent falls
- What they're known for: A clinic-based pediatric practice in Creve Coeur addressing developmental and skeletal conditions along with everyday concerns like delayed walking and frequent falls — a solid central-county option.
- Serving St. Louis, MO (mobile; no clinic address)
- (833) 968-0377
- littlefeettherapy.com
- Torticollis, plagiocephaly, cerebral palsy, and gross-motor delays
- What they're known for: A mobile, in-home pediatric PT practice with telehealth options — especially valued by parents of infants with torticollis or flat-head concerns who prefer treatment in their child's natural environment.
- 1465 S Grand Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63104
- (314) 577-5669
- ssmhealth.com
- Developmental delays, torticollis, spina bifida, neurological and orthopedic conditions, TBI, and post-burn rehabilitation
- What they're known for: One of the region's flagship pediatric hospitals, Cardinal Glennon delivers hospital-outpatient PT for children with complex or co-occurring medical needs. Services require a referral, making this a strong choice for medically coordinated care.
- 4400 Clayton Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110
- (314) 872-7838
- shrinerschildrens.org
- Cerebral palsy, scoliosis, arthrogryposis, limb deficiency, torticollis, neuromuscular conditions, developmental delay, and post-surgical rehab
- What they're known for: A hospital-based, multidisciplinary pediatric specialty center, Shriners Children's is a leading destination for children with complex orthopedic, neuromuscular, and limb conditions who benefit from coordinated, team-based PT.
- 12348 Old Tesson Road, Suite 180, St. Louis, MO 63128
- (314) 272-2174
- mercy.net
- Balance, coordination, posture, and gross-motor goals
- What they're known for: A health-system pediatric PT clinic in south St. Louis County with a focus on balance, coordination, posture, and gross-motor goals, plus a home-carryover model that keeps families engaged between visits.
What Does a Physical Therapist Treat?
Pediatric physical therapists work on how a child moves — rolling, sitting, crawling, walking, running, stairs, balance and coordination — and on the strength, range of motion and motor planning underneath those skills. Much of the work looks like play, because a child practices a movement willingly when it gets them something they want. For adults, outpatient physical therapy covers orthopedic injury and post-surgical rehabilitation, back and neck pain, balance and vestibular difficulty, and movement after a neurological event.
Conditions Physical Therapy Can Help With
Common reasons for a pediatric referral include torticollis and plagiocephaly in infants, gross-motor delay, toe walking, low or high muscle tone, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, hypermobility, and returning to sport after an injury. Adult clinics commonly treat back and neck pain, joint and sports injury, post-operative rehabilitation, and balance or dizziness.
How to Choose a Physical Therapist in St. Louis
The right PT depends on your child's age, diagnosis, and your family's preferences. Here's what to weigh:
- Check credentials. Look for a licensed physical therapist (PT or DPT) in Missouri. For specialized needs, ask about relevant experience and certifications (for example, a Pediatric Clinical Specialist, PCS).
- Match the specialty to the need. Infant torticollis, developmental delay, cerebral palsy, scoliosis, and post-surgical rehab are distinct areas. Ask how often the therapist treats your child's specific concern.
- Confirm insurance and cost up front. Verify in-network status and visit limits, or ask about superbills if the practice is out-of-network. For children under three, ask whether Missouri First Steps can help.
- Consider the setting. In-home PT is ideal for infants and busy families; clinics and hospitals offer specialized equipment and team-based care for gait, strength, and complex conditions.
- Ask about caregiver coaching. Progress accelerates when parents practice between visits. Ask how the therapist will involve you and track milestones.
- Act early. For torticollis and plagiocephaly especially, earlier intervention often means faster, gentler results.
Questions to ask during a consultation
- What is your experience with my child's diagnosis?
- How will you set and measure goals?
- How often are sessions, and for how long?
- How will you coach me at home?
- What outcomes should we expect, and by when?
Physical Therapy Resources in St. Louis
- Missouri First Steps The state's early-intervention program providing free or low-cost developmental evaluations and services, which can include physical therapy, for children birth to age three.
- MO HealthNet (Missouri Medicaid) Covers medically necessary physical therapy for eligible children; ask providers whether they accept MO HealthNet or its managed-care plans.
- SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital Pediatric PT evaluations, neurology and orthopedic clinics, and developmental resources across the St. Louis region.
- St. Louis Children's Hospital (BJC) & Shriners Children's St. Louis Hospital-based pediatric PT and specialty orthopedic and neuromuscular care; confirm the specific site when scheduling.
- Your child's school district Public schools provide physical therapy services through IEPs for eligible students.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does pediatric physical therapy cost in St. Louis, Missouri?
Private-pay pediatric physical therapy in the St. Louis area typically runs about $110–$210 per session at private practices, while hospital-affiliated programs such as SSM Health Cardinal Glennon, St. Louis Children's Hospital, or Shriners Children's may bill differently. Many providers accept commercial insurance and Missouri Medicaid (MO HealthNet), which can reduce your cost to a copay or to $0 for covered, medically necessary services. In-home providers are sometimes out-of-network but will submit claims for reimbursement, so confirm details directly.
Does insurance cover physical therapy in Missouri?
Many Missouri health plans cover physical therapy when it is medically necessary, and Missouri Medicaid (MO HealthNet) covers PT for eligible children. For children birth to age three, Missouri First Steps provides early-intervention services that can include physical therapy, often at little or no cost to families. Some in-home providers are out-of-network and provide superbills for reimbursement. Verify benefits before starting.
What conditions does pediatric physical therapy treat?
Pediatric physical therapists treat gross motor delays, torticollis, plagiocephaly (head flattening), cerebral palsy, low or high muscle tone, coordination and balance difficulties, post-injury or post-surgical rehabilitation, scoliosis, limb differences, and conditions linked to prematurity or genetic differences. They help children gain strength, mobility, and confidence in movement.
How long are pediatric physical therapy sessions?
Most pediatric PT sessions in St. Louis last 30 to 60 minutes, with frequency depending on the child's goals — often once or twice a week. Evaluations usually take 60 to 90 minutes. Some programs offer intensive or group models that adjust the format to the child's needs.
Do St. Louis pediatric physical therapists offer in-home visits?
Yes. At least one St. Louis-area pediatric PT provider — Little Feet Therapy — specializes in mobile, in-home care plus telehealth, which is especially helpful for infants with torticollis or plagiocephaly and for families who prefer treatment in the child's natural environment. Other providers, including The Therapy Station, offer school- or daycare-based services in addition to clinic care.
When should my baby start physical therapy for torticollis?
Early is best. For torticollis and plagiocephaly, many St. Louis pediatric PTs recommend starting as soon as a flat spot or head-turn preference is noticed — ideally in the first few months of life, when gentle, non-helmet correction is often most effective. Talk to your pediatrician and a pediatric PT promptly if you have concerns, and ask whether Missouri First Steps can help for children under three.
How long is the wait for a first appointment?
It varies by practice rather than by city, so it is worth asking when you call — a clinic with a long wait for weekly therapy will often book an evaluation much sooner, and some hold cancellation slots. Because of that, most families contact more than one practice on this page rather than waiting on the first. If your child is under three, your state's early intervention program runs on its own timeline and is worth starting in parallel.
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Medical disclaimer. This directory is for general informational purposes. A listing is not an endorsement, referral, or recommendation, and inclusion does not mean we have verified a provider’s credentials, licensure, or insurance. Confirm those directly with the provider before booking. DrSensory is not affiliated with the practices listed.