Different Types of Therapy for Spastic Cerebral Palsy

There is no cure for cerebral palsy because brain cells cannot be replaced. The aim of treatment is to make life as healthy as possible and provide maximum independence for people whose mental capacities allow it.

As school-age approaches, treatment focuses on improving communication and reducing socially problematic symptoms such as drooling. No effort is spared to place children of normal intelligence in public schools. Parents do much of the therapy once they learn the techniques.

Therapy: This happens to be the most crucial part of the cerebral palsy treatment in India. There are two types of therapies for such issues, occupational therapy, and physiotherapy.

occupational therapy is used for training in everyday activities so this therapy is essential.

Occupational Therapy: How is it done?

This therapy is a way of evaluating both the motor disorders of the child and the disorders of non-verbal functions classified by the domain (visual exploration, gnosis, constructive praxis, spatialization, visual perception, and graphics) according to his age (concerning calibration ages).

The implementation of an adapted rehabilitation

Rehabilitation will mainly go through play, sport, and specific therapy program, allowing progressive and active learning for the child and making him an actor of his own development.

Postural control, coordination of movements, eye tracking, and graphics can be worked on individually and globally.

Each child has disorders and a different environment, which is why the initial assessment is essential to set up an appropriate rehabilitation.

A reassessment of the child's difficulties and progress will be necessary throughout the care.

Involving parents throughout the rehabilitation is essential; the occupational therapist transmits to them the activities they can perform daily and the most suitable facilities for their child.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy happens to be a sanitary discipline which usually involves aspects of movement disorder. The role of physiotherapy in spastic Cerebral Palsy is essential and is adjusted to the new technological advances. In centers for best cerebral palsy treatment in India, you can find their services.

From the field of Physiotherapy, the primary objective is not to lose functionality in the motor and musculoskeletal aspect through different techniques that work to improve motor control, balance, strength, joint stability. Among them, the experts promote the strengthening and empowerment of the spastic muscle, the reduction of muscle contractures, the correction of gait, the emancipation of the proprioceptive system, the increase in both selective motor control and postural control and the improvement of balance with different techniques, all supported them by scientific evidence. It is always done through play, to create greater adherence to treatment for the child.

Risk Of Cerebral Palsy During Birth

The most common reason for brain damage which ultimately leads to Cerebral Palsy (CP) is oxygen deprivation for the newborn or the fetus. This condition is also known as birth asphyxia. For certain children, difficult labor results in complications that could cause brain damage, and eventually CP.

Brain damage that leads to CP may take place before birth, during birth, within one month of giving birth or in the first few years of a child’s life while the brain undergoes development. It is important that the presence of such a disorder is detected early, in order to commence cp treatment in India.

Here is the list of risk factors that can increase the chances of congenital cerebral palsy:

1) Infections during the pregnancy period- Herpes, rubella (German measles), toxoplasmosis and cytomegalovirus can infect the placenta and womb, which may result in cerebral palsy.

2) Multiple gestations- Twins, triplets and more births together could lead to CP. The risk is also high for an infant whose twin or triplet dies shortly after birth.

3) Exposure to harmful chemicals- If a mother happens to be exposed to toxic substances such as high doses of methyl mercury during pregnancy, the risk of CP is high.

4) Low weight at birth or premature birth- Infants who were born before term (in less than 37 weeks of pregnancy) as well as those weighing less than 5.5 pounds at birth are at risk.

5) Medical conditions of the mother- Risk can be high if the mother is facing difficult health conditions such as :

a) Seizures

b) Abnormal thyroid activity

c) Excess protein in the urine

d) Developmental disabilities   

Almost 3.8% of the population suffers from cerebral palsy India. 15-20% of physically disabled children are affected by this disease. The topographic classification of CP has monoplegia, diplegia, hemiplegia, and quadriplegia. Early diagnosis is very important for proper treatment, but then it cannot be detected in an infant less than 6 months old unless severity is very high. Repeated examinations and subsequent observation are necessary over time for mild cases before an exact diagnosis.

Different Types Of Treatments For Children With Cerebral Palsy

The treatment administered to individuals affected with Cerebral Palsy (CP) need multidisciplinary approach including helps of orthopedic surgeon, occupational therapist, physical therapist, speech therapist etc. Treatment planning is depends upon many factor like diagnosis, complication, associated medical issues and grade of disability and movement disorder etc. Early treatment of cerebral palsy in children has the likelihood of bringing about the most positive change. Since every diagnosis differs from another, the type of treatment also varies.

Factors determining the type of treatment

Based on the following factors, courses of treatments are decided by doctors:

· Degree of disability

· Type of movement disorder

· Co-existing conditions

· Type of cerebral palsy

Treatment is inclusive of long and short term approaches to the specific condition of a child. The course for a child may involve physical therapy, surgery, medications and more.

Treatment options for cerebral palsy in children

1) Use of physical therapy- If CP has been detected at a very young age, therapy can be started at the same time. The method is personalized as per every case, and is focused on the most impacted areas of the body. Recommendations of physical therapy include strength training, stretching, muscle relaxation exercises and developmental program. The therapy also undergoes change as the child ages.

2) Occupational therapy- The idea behind occupational therapy is to increase independence amongst CP patients. For teens and adults, therapies may revolve around enhancing the patient’s ability to work. However, occupational therapy is meant to improve quality of life for people across a wide variety of age groups. Benefits of application include carrying out household tasks smoothly, mobility and independence in personal care.

3) Massage therapy- This form of therapy should not be used lightly. Vigorous oil massage can increase the spasticity & tightness in body. Light powder massage is necessary for relaxation of muscle and helps a lot in rehabilitation. Massage therapy is not just good for flexibility, but also for complete rejuvenation of soft body tissues. Therapists improve muscle functionality by targeting muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints and skin.

4) Use of speech therapy- Speech therapists helps in managing speech disorders in CP. Children can speak more clearly with the help of this therapy. Language and speech therapy focus both on the language and receptive parts of speech.

5) Necessary medications- Medications are very rarely required to manage abnormal movement pattern and spasticity. Medicine area also required for management of epilepsy. Medicine should not be given to these children without doctor recommendation.