Toe walking is a walking pattern where a child primarily walks on their toes or the balls of their feet without their heels touching the ground. While it’s common to see young toddlers toe walk occasionally, persistent or frequent toe walking beyond the early years can be a sign that your child may benefit from physical therapy.
At Move U, we specialize in helping children improve strength, mobility, balance, and coordination through fun, play-based pediatric physical therapy. Let’s dive into what toe walking means, why it happens, and how PT can help.
Why Does Toe Walking Happen?
Children may walk on their toes for many reasons, including:
- Decreased strength or muscle tone – making it harder to support their body weight evenly.
- Tight calf muscles or Achilles tendons – restricting normal ankle movement.
- Increased sensitivity to touch – sometimes children avoid putting their whole foot down due to sensory preferences.
- Decreased body awareness (proprioception) – making it harder for a child to sense their position in space.
- Neurological conditions – such as cerebral palsy or autism spectrum disorder.
- Skeletal differences – structural differences in the bones of the feet or legs.
What’s Normal vs. What’s Concerning?
Toe walking during the first 2 years of life is considered a normal part of walking development. Children may rise up on their toes to explore their environment, test their balance, and figure out how their body moves.
However, toe walking may be a concern if:
- It continues for more than 6 months after independent walking begins
- It becomes your child’s primary walking pattern
- It develops as a new walking habit after age 2
When this happens, it’s time to consider an assessment with a pediatric physical therapist.
Why Address Toe Walking Early?
Persistent toe walking beyond the age of 2 may lead to challenges such as:
- Muscle tightness in the calves or hamstrings
- Difficulty with sports or physical activities
- Pain or discomfort during walking or standing
- Balance issues and impaired coordination
- Social challenges, as toe walking may make children feel different from peers
Addressing toe walking early with the right treatment can help your child avoid these complications and develop the strength, flexibility, and confidence they need to thrive.
How Pediatric Physical Therapy at Move U Can Help
- At Move U, our pediatric PTs provide a personalized evaluation to identify the root cause of your child’s toe walking. Based on this assessment, we create a treatment plan that may include:
Stretching and strengthening exercises to improve calf flexibility and overall leg strength
- Balance and coordination activities to help retrain movement patterns
- Sensory integration techniques if toe walking is linked to sensory sensitivities
- Fun, play-based activities that make therapy enjoyable and engaging for kids
- Parental education and at-home activities to reinforce progress between sessions
Our goal is to help your child achieve a healthy, functional walking pattern while keeping sessions fun, encouraging, and child-led.
When to Seek Help
If your child is over the age of 2 and still walking on their toes most of the time—or if you’ve noticed toe walking develop after previously walking normally—it’s a good idea to schedule a physical therapy assessment.
Early intervention often means fewer sessions are needed, and progress can happen more quickly.
Why Families Choose Move U
Families trust Move U because of our:
Specialized pediatric expertise in movement, strength, and development
Fun, child-centered approach to therapy
Collaborative care model that includes parents every step of the way
Flexible, cash-based services – no doctor’s referral required
Whether your child’s toe walking is due to muscle tightness, sensory differences, or another cause, you can trust our team to provide the highest level of care and support.
👉 Ready to help your child step forward with confidence?
Schedule a pediatric PT evaluation today with Move U.
📞 Call us at (605) 409-9533
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