What are the treatment options for cerebral palsy?
Common types of treatment for cerebral palsy include 1,2: Physical therapy and rehabilitation. A child with cerebral palsy usually starts these therapies in the first few years of life or soon after being diagnosed. Physical therapy is one of the most important parts of treatment.
What are the different types of cerebral palsy?
The most common type of cerebral palsy is spastic cerebral palsy, which includes stiff muscles and exaggerated reflexes. Other types of cerebral palsy include movement disorders involving poor balance and coordination (ataxic) and difficulty controlling voluntary muscles (dyskinetic).
What kind of Doctor treats cerebral palsy?
Cerebral Palsy varies in type, location and severity of impairment. The child’s primary care physician, usually the pediatrician, will assess the child’s overall health to develop a comprehensive treatment plan to meet the unique needs of the child while taking into consideration the family dynamics.
What tests are used to diagnose cerebral palsy?
It's common for there to be changes in normal brain wave patterns in epilepsy. Tests of the blood, urine or skin might be used to screen for genetic or metabolic problems. If your child is diagnosed with cerebral palsy, you'll likely be referred to specialists to test your child for other conditions often associated with the disorder.
What treatment is used for cerebral palsy?
The primary treatment options for cerebral palsy are medication, therapy, and surgery. The goal of cerebral palsy treatment is to manage symptoms, relieve pain, and maximize independence to achieve a long, healthy life. Cerebral palsy treatment is tailored to each individual to target and treat their specific symptoms.
What is the most effective treatment for cerebral palsy?
Physiotherapy involves exercises to help maintain and hopefully improve movement. It's one of the most important treatments for cerebral palsy. The main goals of physiotherapy are to: encourage movement.
What is the latest treatment for cerebral palsy?
Stem cell therapy is an emerging treatment for a variety of conditions, including cerebral palsy. Stem cells are cells in the body that have the ability to grow and change into other types of cells. The easiest stem cells to access and use for treatment are found in the umbilical cord blood of newborns.
What is the main goal of treatment for cerebral palsy?
The main long-term goal in treating Cerebral Palsy is to provide an individual with the highest degree of independence along with optimal quality of life.
Why is Botox used in cerebral palsy?
Injection of botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) is effective for reducing over-activity in muscles in children with cerebral palsy. This results in a reduction in muscle strength and muscle tone with small, short-lived gains in aspects of gait and function, in some children with cerebral palsy.
What services are available for children with cerebral palsy?
Treatments include:physiotherapy – techniques such as exercise and stretching to help maintain physical ability and hopefully improve movement problems.speech therapy to help with speech and communication, and swallowing difficulties.More items...
What is stem treatment?
Stem cell therapy, also known as regenerative medicine, promotes the repair response of diseased, dysfunctional or injured tissue using stem cells or their derivatives. It is the next chapter in organ transplantation and uses cells instead of donor organs, which are limited in supply.
What is stem cell therapy for cerebral palsy?
Stem cell therapy is a new type of advanced treatment that is showing promising results for repairing brain damage and restoring dead cells for people with cerebral palsy.
How does physical therapy help cerebral palsy?
It can help improve motor skills and can prevent movement problems from getting worse over time. Physical therapy implements strength and flexibility exercises, heat treatment, massages and special equipment to give children with cerebral palsy more independence.
Can cerebral palsy be cured?
There is no cure for CP, but treatment can improve the lives of those who have the condition. It is important to begin a treatment program as early as possible.
What causes cerebral palsy?
Cerebral palsy is usually caused by a problem that affects the development of a baby's brain while it's growing in the womb. These include: damage to part of the brain called white matter, possibly as a result of a reduced blood or oxygen supply – this is known as periventricular leukomalacia (PVL)
Can cerebral palsy be cured?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for cerebral palsy. The condition is continuously being studied by researchers to find a cure, as well as new treat...
Is there a treatment for cerebral palsy?
There are several cerebral palsy treatment options. The type of cerebral palsy treatment your child will receive can depend on the type of cerebral...
Does cerebral palsy get worse?
Cerebral palsy is a non-progressive disorder, meaning it does not improve or worsen as time goes on. On the other hand, symptoms of cerebral palsy...
What is the best treatment for cerebral palsy?
Since every case of cerebral palsy is different, the best treatment for cerebral palsy can vary. It is very important to consult a cerebral palsy s...
What is the treatment for cerebral palsy?
While therapy and adaptive equipment are the primary treatment protocol for Cerebral Palsy, an individual may also require drug therapy and surgical interventions. Some families, with caution and physician guidance, turn to complementary and alternative medicine for additional assistance. Although each medical specialist may have specific care ...
How to contact Cerebral Palsy?
Contact Us Today. Call 800-692-4453. Treating Cerebral Palsy is almost as complex as the condition is, and there’s no cookie-cutter approach because each individual is affected differently. Although the brain injury that causes Cerebral Palsy cannot be healed, the resulting physical impairment can be managed with a wide range ...
What is a treatment plan for a child?
Due to the variety of conditions that need to be addressed, a treatment plan usually involves a multidisciplinary team of medical specialists working closely with the child’s pediatrician to establish and accomplish care goals. Parents or legal guardians work closely with the multi-disciplinary team.
What is complementary medicine?
Complementary medicine, when used under doctor supervision, can be used as a complement to an existing treatment plan. Alternative medicine is a treatment method that is used to replace conventional medicine.
Is there a universal protocol for cerebral palsy?
Although there is no universal protocol developed for all cases, a person’s form of Cerebral Palsy, extent of impairment, and severity level help to determine care.
Is cerebral palsy a co-mitigating factor?
Management of the Cerebral Palsy is further complicated by co-mitiga ting factors not caused by the same brain injury that caused Cerebral Palsy, but that still exists in the child as a separate condition requiring simultaneous treatment.
What is the best treatment for cerebral palsy?
Psychologists can offer assessment and support for emotional and behavioral challenges, which may include behavior therapy and cognitive behavior therapy . Social workers support people with cerebral palsy and their families in many ways, including strengths-based counselling and mutual aid groupwork.
What is cerebral palsy intervention?
An intervention is a service that aims to improve the condition of cerebral palsy and the day-to-day experience of the person living with it.
What is the role of physiotherapists in the treatment of a person's movement?
Physiotherapists and occupational therapists focus on encouraging a person’s day-to-day movement skills such as sitting, walking, playing, dressing and toileting. They will use a range of specialist interventions such as movement training and equipment, e.g. walking frames, wheelchairs, supportive seating, footwear and orthotics.
What is cognitive behavioral therapy?
Psychologists may offer cognitive-behavioral therapy for chronic pain. This process works to help a person change the way they think about pain and, in turn, how they feel and behave about pain.
What is the role of a psychologist in a child's development?
Psychologists can provide assessment of a child’s learning and development. Special educators work with families to develop a program of interventions to address each child’s learning needs. Occupational therapists can facilitate a child’s active participation in these learning activities.
What are the best ways to help a child with cerebral palsy?
Therapies. A variety of therapies play an important role in treating cerebral palsy: Physical therapy. Muscle training and exercises can help your child's strength, flexibility, balance, motor development and mobility.
What to do if your child has cerebral palsy?
If your family doctor or pediatrician suspects your child has cerebral palsy, he or she will evaluate your child's signs and symptoms, monitor growth and development, review your child's medical history, and conduct a physical exam. Your doctor might refer you to a specialist trained in treating children with brain and nervous system conditions ...
What kind of doctor is needed for cerebral palsy?
Besides a pediatrician or physiatrist and possibly a pediatric neurologist to oversee your child's medical care, the team might include a variety of therapists and mental health specialists.
What is the best treatment for a child with stiff muscles?
Braces or splints might be recommended for your child to help with function, such as improved walking, and stretching stiff muscles. Occupational therapy. Occupational therapists work to help your child gain independence in daily activities and routines in the home, the school and the community.
What can a speech pathologist do for a child?
Speech and language therapy. Speech-language pathologists can help improve your child's ability to speak clearly or to communicate using sign language. They can also teach the use of communication devices, such as a computer and voice synthesizer, if communication is difficult.
What is cranial ultrasound?
A cranial ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the brain. An ultrasound doesn't produce a detailed image, but it may be used because it's quick and inexpensive, and it can provide a valuable preliminary assessment of the brain.
What is the best way to find out if a child has brain damage?
Brain scans. Brain-imaging technologies can reveal areas of damage or abnormal development in the brain. These tests might include the following: MRI. An MRI scan uses radio waves and a magnetic field to produce detailed 3D or cross-sectional images of your child's brain.
What is the treatment for cerebral palsy?
The primary treatment options for cerebral palsy are medication, therapy, and surgery. The goal of cerebral palsy treatment is to manage symptoms, relieve pain, and maximize independence to achieve a long, healthy life. Cerebral palsy treatment is tailored to each individual to target and treat their specific symptoms.
Why should cerebral palsy be treated?
Each of these conditions should be promptly treated to prevent the condition from worsening and help your child have the best quality of life.
What are the intellectual disabilities of cerebral palsy?
Intellectual Disabilities. Brain damage that causes cerebral palsy can also affect other areas of the brain that are responsible for cognition, leading to intellectual disabilities. According to the Cerebral Palsy Foundation, about 50% of all children with cerebral palsy have an intellectual disability.
How many children with cerebral palsy have seizures?
According to the CDC, approximately 42% of children with cerebral palsy suffer from epilepsy, a disorder characterized by frequent seizures. Since seizures can vary in severity, each case requires a specific approach to management. Medication is the most common seizure treatment.
How to help a child with cerebral palsy chew?
Many children with cerebral palsy struggle to maintain a healthy weight because it is hard to chew or swallow food. Oral motor exercises can improve the ability to chew and swallow food.
How much does cerebral palsy cost?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has estimated that the lifetime cost to care for an individual with cerebral palsy is nearly $1 million.
What is the best therapy for cerebral palsy?
Occupational Therapy for Cerebral Palsy. Occupational therapy helps children with cerebral palsy improve their ability to perform everyday tasks. Therapists evaluate a child’s fine motor skills, perception, and oral motor skills to create a treatment plan. Occupational therapy can help with activities such as:
Cerebral Palsy and Types of Therapies
These are commonly used and accepted therapy choices for treating the symptoms presented by cerebral palsy and some co-conditions:
Cerebral Palsy Surgical Options & Medications
These are commonly used medications and surgical options to help treat the symptoms presented by each person with cerebral palsy:
CP Equipment & Orthotics
Commonly used equipment and orthotics to assist children and adults with cerebral palsy in their daily lives.
Alternative Therapies for CP
Alternative therapies have not been proven, studied, or have little research, therefore, they are not thought of as a traditional therapy:
Cerebral Palsy Treatment Checklist
Treating cerebral palsy is not a ‘one size fits all’ approach and can be overwhelming with so many treatment options. That is why we have a ‘ Cerebral Palsy Treatment Checklist ‘ to help you as a guide on your cerebral palsy journey.
Surgeries
Surgery has advanced tremendously over the decades. Instead of having to make large incisions into the body, for instance, doctors can now use laparoscopic surgical techniques that minimize the trauma and make surgeries appropriate for a wider range of individuals.
Physical Therapy
Despite the fact that surgery tends to get more attention in the media, physical therapy techniques have advanced just as much as surgical techniques.
Drugs
Some medications can be very helpful to people with CP. They can help the body to relax, getting rid of the mobility and pain issues that come with severe spasms.
Paying
What are treatments for cerebral palsy is one question, how you’re going to pay for them is another. None of these treatments are what could realistically be described as affordable.
What is the treatment for cerebral palsy?
The primary types of therapy used in the treatment of all types of cerebral palsy are physical therapy and occupational therapy. Due to the uniqueness of physical disabilities in each individual case, even with the same cerebral palsy sub type, therapy programs are usually custom ...
What is cerebral palsy?
Cerebral palsy is the result of a glitch in the brain that forms from cell damage during childbirth or gestation. Unlike other cells in the body, brain cells are not able to regenerate or heal. Once the cerebral palsy glitch forms in the brain, there is no way to repair it. The good news is that there are a multitude of highly effective treatment ...
What is the best way to improve mobility in children?
Physical Therapy. Your child’s strength, flexibility, balance, motor development, and mobility can all be improved by physical therapy. Common techniques that are used include targeted strength exercises, muscle endurance training, joint mobilization and stretching, and balance and coordination drills. Therapy programs could additionally include ...
Why do people with cerebral palsy take anticholinergics?
Lastly, anticholinergic meds are often used in children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy to limit the frequency and severity of uncontrolled and involuntary bodily movements. Additionally, these drugs can also reduce drooling and other symptoms.
When should I start physical therapy for cerebral palsy?
It is imperative to start a physical therapy program as soon as possible for children with cerebral palsy , including infancy. Research has indicated that physical therapy started in children under 12 months old with cerebral palsy can significantly increase the long-term results of the treatment. Generally, physical therapy is provided at home ...
What is the difference between occupational therapy and physical therapy?
In contrast to physical therapy that centers on gross motor and muscle therapies, occupational therapy rather focuses on the development of fine motor skills and movement.
How to treat CP pain?
Orthopedic surgery is often recommended when spasticity and stiffness are severe enough to make walking and moving about difficult or painful. For many people with CP, improving the appearance of how they walk – their gait – is also important. Surgeons can lengthen muscles and tendons that are proportionately too short, which can improve mobility and lessen pain. Tendon surgery may help the symptoms for some children with CP but could also have negative long-term consequences. Orthopedic surgeries may be staggered at times appropriate to a child’s age and level of motor development. Surgery can also correct or greatly improve spinal deformities in people with CP. Surgery may not be indicated for all gait abnormalities and the surgeon may request a quantitative gait analysis before surgery.
What are the specific sets of exercises that can be used to improve muscle strength?
Specific sets of exercises (such as resistive, or strength training programs) and activities can maintain or improve muscle strength, balance, motor skills, and prevent contractures.
How can speech therapy help children?
Speech and language therapy can improve a child’s ability to speak more clearly, help with swallowing disorders, and learn new ways to communicate. Examples include sign language and/or special communication devices such as a computer with a voice synthesizer, or a special board covered with symbols of everyday objects and activities to which a child can point to indicate his or her wishes. Treatments for problems with eating and drooling are sometimes necessary if a child has problems controlling the muscles of their mouth, jaw or tongue.
What is occupational therapy?
Occupational therapy focuses on optimizing upper body function, improving posture, and making the most of a child’s mobility. Occupational therapists help individuals address new ways to meet everyday activities such as dressing, going to school, and participating in day-to-day activities.
Can cerebral palsy be cured?
Cerebral palsy can’t be cured, but treatment will often improve or sustain a child’s capabilities. There is no standard therapy that works for every individual with CP. Once the diagnosis is made, and the type of CP is determined, a team of health care professionals will work with a child and his or her parents to identify specific impairments ...
Can stem cells repair nerves?
Stem cells are capable of becoming other cell types in the body. Scientists are hopeful that stem cells may be able to repair damaged nerves and brain tissues. Studies in the U.S. are examining the safety and tolerability of umbilical cord blood stem cell infusion in children with CP.
Diagnosis
- Signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy can become more apparent over time, so a diagnosis might not be made until a few months to a year after birth. In some cases where the signs and symptoms are mild, diagnosis may be delayed longer. If your family doctor or pediatrician suspects your child has cerebral palsy, he or she will evaluate your child's signs and symptoms, …
Treatment
- Children and adults with cerebral palsy may require lifelong care with a medical care team. Besides a pediatrician or physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist (physiatrist) and possibly a pediatric neurologist to oversee your child's medical care, the team might include a variety of therapists and mental health specialists. These experts give special attention to needs and issu…
Alternative Medicine
- Some children and adolescents with cerebral palsy use some form of complementary or alternative medicine. These are therapies that are unproved and have not been adopted into routine clinical practice. If you're considering a complementary or alternative medicine or therapy, talk with your doctor about potential risks and benefits.
Coping and Support
- When a child is diagnosed with a disabling condition, the whole family faces new challenges. Here are a few tips for caring for your child and yourself: 1. Foster your child's independence.Encourage any effort at independence, no matter how small. At any age, your child's participation in social, educational, employment, recreational and other community activities can help them participate …
Preparing For Your Appointment
- If your child has cerebral palsy, how you learn about your child's condition can depend on the severity of the disabilities, when signs and symptoms started, and whether there were risk factors during pregnancy or delivery. Here's some information to help you get ready for your child's appointment with his or her doctor.