If your child continues to walk on their toes, you’re not alone—and it’s okay to be concerned. While toe walking is common in most young children, especially during early development, persistent toe walking may signal something deeper. At Eastern Therapy PT, OT, and Speech, we’re here to help you understand what’s going on and guide you toward effective, compassionate solutions.
What Is Toe Walking and When Should You Be Concerned?
Toe walking in children is when they walk on the balls of their feet without their heels touching the ground. Many typically developing children go through this phase, but if your child continues to walk this way past age 2 or 3, or begins showing gait abnormalities, it may indicate an underlying condition or tightness in the Achilles tendon or calf muscles.
In very rare cases, prolonged toe walking is linked to conditions like cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, or muscular dystrophy. Even in idiopathic toe walking (where no known cause exists), early attention matters.
Why Seeking Treatment Early Matters
Ignoring persistent toe walking can lead to issues with your child’s normal gait, balance, and ability to walk flat footed. Long-term problems can include:
- Tight Achilles tendons or calf muscles
- Reduced range of motion
- Problems wearing shoes
- Struggles with recreational activities
- Pain or discomfort in the child’s feet, legs, or knees
These issues can snowball over time, especially as your child grows. Early intervention means a better chance at correcting the issue with conservative treatments—before more complex interventions are needed.
What Causes Persistent Toe Walking?
Every child is different. We start by looking at your child’s medical history, a physical exam, and sometimes a neurological exam to assess reflexes, muscle tone, and sensory-related concerns. Sometimes, children are born prematurely, or there’s a family history of toe walkers. In other cases, a short Achilles tendon or increased muscle tone is the cause.
How Eastern Therapy Can Help
Our therapists specialize in treating toe walking in a variety of ways, tailored to your child’s unique needs. Depending on the cause, we might recommend:
- Physical therapy to stretch and strengthen the foot muscles, calf muscles, and improve the heel-to-toe pattern
- Use of ankle foot orthoses, leg braces, or walking casts
- Gentle serial casting to stretch the muscle-tendon combination
- Gait training and play-based therapies to promote a normal position
- Collaboration with pediatric specialists if an underlying medical condition is suspected
Real Progress for Real Families
We’ve seen many children who toe walk go on to develop a healthy, pain-free stride. With consistent support, your child can enjoy better balance, strength, and comfort during daily and recreational activities.
Take the First Step Today
If your child’s toe walking is persistent or you’re unsure what’s normal, don’t wait. Early treatment for toe walking can prevent complications and set your child up for long-term success. Contact Eastern Therapy PT, OT and Speech today for a compassionate evaluation. Your child deserves to walk with confidence, from heel to toe.
