Physiotherapy Treatment for Cerebral Palsy
Physiotherapy, better known as physical therapy, can help everyone with cerebral palsy, no matter how high- or low-functioning the disability. According to CerebralPalsySource.com, cerebral palsy is most frequently diagnosed in children with physical disabilities. The condition, caused by parts of the brain being damaged, does not affect all people in the same manner. Some can walk with or without the aid of crutches or a walker, while others must use a wheelchair. The main purpose of physiotherapy for persons afflicted with cerebral palsy is to help them work towards more independence by increasing mobility and balance.
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Range of Motion Exercises
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Physiotherapists help patients with cerebral palsy perform everyday tasks. Exercises help individuals gain more flexibility and greater normal function and movement of the joints and muscles in the fingers, arms, neck, torso and legs. If there is a task you are having problems performing, consult the physiotherapist. She may know exercises that can help that specific area or perhaps she can help find a different way to perform the task.
Stretching Exercises
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Parents and caregivers should learn the proper stretching techniques from the physical therapist. This will prevent any instances of overstretching, which could cause the muscle to tear and generate a lot of pain. These exercises involve gradual movement and stretching of the arms and legs gently, but steadily, to pull on the muscles in those areas. This keeps the unusually tight muscles more limber.
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Strengthening Exercises
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Performing exercises to strengthen the weak spastic muscles is an important step to reducing muscle stiffness. Playing sports is one way for children, teenagers and adults in wheelchairs to keep their muscles from contracting. Strengthening exercises often focus on specific muscles. According to CerebralPalsySource.com, research shows that strengthening the muscles in a child with cerebral palsy directly benefits their motor function.
Fitness Exercises
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People who use wheelchairs need to stay active to guard against obesity and osteoporosis. These conditions will only create more problems for the patient and make it harder for him to move. General fitness and cardiovascular exercises are necessary for health and continued mobility.
Hydrotherapy
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Many persons with cerebral palsy go through a regular regimen of hydrotherapy or aquatic physiotherapy. This type of therapy is effective because it is carried out in warm water, which causes the muscles to be more relaxed. Pool therapy puts less strain on the muscles and reduces pain during movement. The water provides exercise with resistance training and assistance in helping the patient move more easily through the water with a feeling of weightlessness.
Repetition
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According to CerebralPalsySymptoms.org, exercising once a week (or even once a day) with a physical therapist is not sufficient enough for a person with cerebral palsy to experience a noticeable difference in movement. In order for the body to get used to movement, persons with cerebral palsy should perform the exercises or stretching techniques at home every day as well. The body and its muscles will respond more positively to this repetitive movement and allow for improvement in mobility.
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