There are several neurological disorders that affect modern children to live a better life. Cerebral palsy (CP) is a medical condition affecting natural muscle control and flexible coordination in the body, often making movement difficult for children who suffer from it. It is a disorder which will show its symptoms throughout life, but with the assistance of the right therapies, almost all children challenged with CP can significantly improve their mobility and overall quality of life. In this blog, will learn about some of the most effective therapies for improving mobility and body coordination in children suffering from cerebral palsy.
Do you Know What is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy is primarily caused by the damage sustained by the brain during its development in the early years of life, which can occur before, during, or shortly after birth. This medical condition directly affects movement, posture, and sometimes cognitive abilities, depending on the severity of the damage caused. There are different types of CP in children, but mobility issues are extremely common across all of them.
The Huge Importance of Mobility in Effective CP Management
Improving mobility is extremely crucial for helping challenged children attain independence and reducing the risk of secondary complications while boosting the child’s confidence and natural ability to actively engage in daily activities with genuine interest. There are some therapies which are specifically designed to help children with cerebral palsy to overcome motor difficulties and improve their functional abilities hand in hand.
1. Physical Therapy (PT)
Key techniques of PT include:
• Stretching exercises: These help in maintaining flexibility in the muscles and prevent contractures (shortened muscles) for children.
• Strength training: It helps in improving muscle strength, especially in the legs and core, which is essential for better mobility for the developing child.
• Balance exercises: These exercises will help kids to gain better control over their movements and prevent falls or injuries in the process.
Example:
Riya is an 8-year-old with spastic cerebral palsy, who struggled with stiff muscles in her legs on a regular basis. After six months of dedicated physical therapy, she was able to stand more confidently without shaking and walk short distances without any other assistance.
2. Occupational Therapy (OT)
Key components of OT include:
• Adaptive equipment: Some tools like customized spoons or walkers can make daily tasks more manageable and easier to perform.
• Hand-eye coordination exercises: These exercises are vital for those tasks that require precision, such as holding objects or using assistive devices.
Example:
For children whose condition is like Aarav’s, who have issues with hand coordination, occupational therapy can teach them how to use their hands more efficiently, helping them eat on their own and improving their ability to grasp objects just like Aarav.
3. Speech Therapy
Almost all children with cerebral palsy experience speech difficulties, which can block their ability to communicate clearly. Speech therapy can help these children improve their ability to speak clearly, chew, and swallow food to lead a fulfilling life.
Why it helps mobility: Although this therapy primarily focuses on improving communication abilities, speech therapy can help children strengthen the muscles in their mouth, jaws and throat, which is essential for overall muscle control and coordination of the mind.
4. Aquatic Therapy
Aquatic therapy is gaining popularity worldwide as an effective treatment for children with cerebral palsy which promises better outcomes. The buoyancy of water allows children to move more freely without the excessive weight of gravity pulling them down, which can make movement easier and less painful for children who suffer from CP.
Benefits of AT:
• Less joint pressure: The water will reduce the huge impact on joints during movement, which is especially helpful for children who suffer from spasticity or stiffness.
• Improved muscle tone and coordination: By moving in water, kids can easily work on improving their strength and coordination in a healthier environment.
Example:
A study conducted in the West showed that children challenged by cerebral palsy who received aquatic therapy started to show improvements in muscle strength and functional mobility in just 12 weeks of treatment.
5. Assistive Devices
In many neurological disorder cases in children, certain assistive devices such as braces, walkers, or wheelchairs are considered extremely necessary to improve mobility in children with cerebral palsy. These medical devices offer the needed support when it matters which allow children to move more confidently.
Examples of these devices:
• Walkers or canes: These will provide the additional balance and stability needed to lead an independent life.
• Braces (orthotics): It will help maintain the correct position of limbs for the body which will prevent contractures and improve the ability to walk.
Lifestyle Modifications
In addition to the therapies mentioned above, it is important to make good changes at home and school to support improved mobility for children. Including regular exercise, staying active indoors and outdoors, and ensuring that the child’s environment is always safe and accessible are crucial for promoting movement in the best way possible.
Conclusion: With The Perfect Therapy, Cp Can Be Managed Effectively In short, cerebral palsy presents some unique challenges for children who suffer from it, but with the right combination of therapies and support needed to diminish its symptoms, they can experience significant improvements in their mobility and improve their overall quality of life. Every child’s situation is different from the other, so it’s important to curate the perfect plan to manage CP with a pediatric neurologist and determine the most appropriate treatments. Only by combining therapies like physical and occupational therapy with assistive devices and other interventions can work like a charm to bring the best outcomes to life, thus, helping children to move more freely and live more independently.