Alternative Treatment for Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is considered a neurological disorder caused by a non-progressive brain injury or malformation that occurs while the child’s brain is under development. Cerebral palsy primarily affects body movement and muscle coordination. Though cerebral palsy can be defined, having cerebral palsy does not define the person that has the condition.
Cerebral palsy (CP) is an abnormality of motor function, the ability to move and control movements.
Cerebral palsy is acquired at an early age, usually less than a year of age.
Cerebral palsy is due to a brain abnormality that does not progress in severity.
The causes of cerebral palsy include prematurity, genetic disorders, strokes, and infection of the brain.
Taking certain precautions during the pregnancy might decrease the risk of cerebral palsy.
The treatment of spasticity can involve multiple allied health care professionals. Physical and occupational therapists play an important role.
Physical therapy: The extent of physical therapy depends on the degree of spasticity, hypotonia, and motor impairment. The main therapeutic effect of physical therapy is maintaining range of motion at the joints, thereby preventing contractures. Some scientists and therapists feel that physical therapy actually helps maintain the connections in the brain, although this is controversial. Other skills, such as improved gait, stance, and balance can be helped by physical therapy. A strong, proactive physical therapy program greatly aids in the life of a child with cerebral palsy.
Occupational therapy: Occupational therapy assists children with the skills needed for day-to-day life in school and at home, including eating, writing, and work skills. In early infancy, occupational therapists can provide assistance in feeding a child with a poor or uncoordinated sucking response.

Speech therapy: Speech and language pathologists are involved with the development and improvement of speech production. Using different techniques the speech pathologist helps to improve the quality and the quantity of the speech production. The role of these specialists is not limited to speech production alone, but they also teach the patients other communication techniques (sign language, use of communication boards) to facilitate the communication abilities.