Acupuncture & Chinese Herbs Treatment of CerebralPalsy

Because standard care for cerebral palsy may not always produce the desired results, some patients turn to alternative therapies in the treatment of this condition. The most frequent cause of childhood disability in the United States, cerebral palsy constitutes a group of disorders that affect the patient's ability to coordinate body movements. While no type of alternative therapy has been extensively studied for its effects on cerebral palsy, some research suggests that acupuncture holds promise in treatment of certain symptoms and complications.
Spasticity is a dysfunction of the muscles which is hard to control. Acupuncture is probably one of the most effective methods to improve the spasticity.
With isolated paralysis of single body parts (for example: hand or foot paralysis), the stimulation with electric acupuncture is very effective.
Equilibrium
Speech: Usually takes a long time. Generally it leads to an extended vocabulary and improves the articulation.
Reduction of epileptic attacks: This can not be succeeded with every patient. In comparance to the western medical treatment, the progress achieved by Chinese Medicine usually remains constant, as the western medicine does only suppress the attacks currently and does not fix the cause, and as soon as the intake of the medicine is discontinued, often the attacks will come back.
Mental retardation: Often the parents report a cognitive improvement (more awake and alert). Despite the fact that such an improvement of course reaches its limits, it is still impressive that one can have an impact on it.

Chinese Medicine applied on children with cerebral palsy, is a very effective form of therapy (if not the most effective!). Unfortunately this method is still rarely used. Based on positive experiences, it is Heiner Janssen`s request, to make Chinese Medicine accessible to more patients with neurological disorders in the near future. This mean of therapy harbours a great (unfortunately rarely unutilised) room of improvement.
Therapy of Cerebral Palsy
Physical Therapy (PT) aims to help people achieve their potential for physical independence and mobility. PT includes exercises, correct positioning and teaching alternate ways of movement such as using walkers, bracing or handling a wheelchair.
Occupational Therapy (OT) designs purposeful activities to increase independence through fine motor skills. OTs help children to use adaptive equipment for things like feeding, seating and bathroom aids.
Speech Therapy aims at improving communication. A child may only need help to overcome a slight articulation problem, or she may not be able to communicate verbally and may require a non-verbal communication system.
Music Therapy uses music for the treatment of neurological, mental or behavioural disorders.
Although a condition does not progress, the brain injury is permanent. While cerebral palsy is not ‘curable’, training and therapy can help significantly. ‘Management’ is a more accurate word than ‘treatment’. Management consists of helping a child achieve maximum potential in growth and development.

People with cerebral palsy can go to school, have jobs, get married, raise families and live in their own homes. Most of all, people with cerebral palsy need the opportunity for independence and full inclusion in our society.