Cerebral Palsy: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment with Physical Therapy

 Cerebral Palsy: Causes, Symptoms, and

 Treatment with Physical Therapy

Cerebral palsy, or CP, refers to a group of conditions that causes problems with movement and posture. Cerebral palsy  affects the motor areas of the brain that controls muscle movement, resulting in balance and coordination issues as well as difficulties with speech and swallowing. Although there’s no cure for cerebral palsy, physical therapy can help patients manage the symptoms of this condition by improving their mobility and strength, decreasing pain and increasing their ability to perform everyday tasks on their own. Learn more about the signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy and its treatment with physical therapy below.

What is CP?

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurological disorder that affects body movement and muscle coordination. It is caused by damage to the brain that occurs before, during, or after birth. 

What causes CP?

Cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the motor control centers of the brain. This damage can occur during pregnancy, during childbirth, or after birth up to about age three.

Cerebral palsy causes 

How does it affect someone physically?

People with cerebral palsy often have difficulty controlling their muscles, which can lead to stiffness or spasticity. This can make it hard to move certain parts of the body or to maintain a range of motion. For people who use wheelchairs, difficulties in mobility may also be due to clumsiness or stiffness in the hands and fingers. Physical therapy can help address these issues by improving motor control skills and reducing stiffness.

The signs and symptoms of CP

The most common symptom of CP is spasticity, or tightness in the muscles. Other symptoms may include 

*seizures

* lack of motor skills

* uncontrollable shaking or trembling

*drooling

* and an inability to maintain balance when standing.

How can you treat someone with CP?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question because every individual with CP is unique. However, treatment typically involves a combination of physical therapy, medications, and/or surgery.

A physical therapist can provide treatment for all these symptoms with rehabilitation exercises such as range-of-motion exercises to increase flexibility, stretching exercises to improve strength and balance exercises to improve posture.

Where does physical therapy fit in?

Physical therapy can help improve muscle control and movement.

 It can also help prevent or delay the need for surgery

. In some cases, physical therapy may be all that is needed to treat cerebral palsy. However, in other cases, a combination of treatments will be necessary. Some people will need medications to reduce pain and spasticity (tightness). Other therapies might include 

*occupational therapy (helping patients learn how to do tasks at home)

 *speech-language pathology (helping with communication skills)

* orthopedic surgery (such as tendon lengthening)

* or electrotherapy (such as Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation).

What will the therapist do during an evaluation?

The therapist will talk to you about your medical history and your current symptoms. They will then do a physical examination, which may include tests of your muscle strength, range of motion, and reflexes. The therapist may also order imaging tests, such as an MRI, to get a better look at the structures inside your brain. After the evaluation, the therapist will develop a treatment plan that may include physical therapy exercises, stretches, and/or massages.

What interventions might be recommended?

If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, there are a number of interventions that might be recommended by your doctor. These can include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and/or medications. Each child is different, so the type and intensity of intervention will be tailored to your child's specific needs.

Is there any other way I can help my loved one get therapy at home?

If you have a loved one with cerebral palsy, you may be wondering what you can do to help them. While there is no cure for cerebral palsy, there are treatments that can help improve quality of life. One such treatment is physical therapy.