How Can Cerebral Palsy Be Treated?

Cerebral palsy is a disorder that is caused becausebecoming weak or rigid due to contracture. Physical
some parts of the brain that control musculartherapy when used in combination of special braces
movement are damaged. There is still no single curewill help a child immensely and prevent contraction of
for this disorder but various treatments are availablespastic muscles that are stretched.
to help elevate the patient's suffering.Treatment involves teaching children small exercises
No single doctor can help to treat a patient who hasso that they can about their work independently.
cerebral palsy. Cerebral Palsy patients need a team ofMost of these are suitably designed for children with
health care professionals who can develop acerebral palsy so that they can do small chores like
treatment especially for them depending upon theirbrushing their teeth, dressing, writing and using the
needs and problems. When planning a series ofbathroom with any help.
treatment for a cerebral palsy patient it is necessarySpeech therapy, psychotherapy and medication for
to involve the family members, teachers, caregiversseizures are some of the other treatment that
so that everyone gets a role to play in thepatients of cerebral palsy given. Speech therapy helps
treatment.children with Cerebral palsy as they have problems
A team of health care professionals involving awhen pronouncing words. Because of the disorder,
pediatrician, pediatric psychiatrist and a pediatriccerebral palsy patients would often find it difficult to
neurologist gives those suffering from Cerebral Palsyswallow and this often leads to drooling. Speech
treatment. A team of doctors comprising a familytherapy helps in both communication and swallowing.
doctor, neurologist and a psychiatrist treats adultsMedication is given to help prevent seizures from
with cerebral palsy. While a pediatric psychiatristoccurring. Almost all patients with cerebral palsy will
provides primary care for a child suffering frombe susceptible to seizures and to prevent this
cerebral palsy, a psychiatrist provides primary caremedications are given. Patients are also prescribed
for adults suffering from cerebral palsy. Othermuscle relaxants and other medicines to help relieve
specialised health care professional who are alsotheir symptoms. Psychotherapy is used along with
involved in treating patients with cerebral palsy includephysical therapy so that the patient learns to improve
an orthopedist, physical therapist, speech andboth motor and muscular development. Lots of kind
language pathologist, occupational therapist, socialwords and praise will help to instill confidence in their
worker and a psychologist.child suffering from cerebral palsy.
Physical therapy is an important aspect of treatment,Positive reinforcement is an important tool that is
which should begin the moment cerebral palsy, isused when treating children with cerebral palsy as it
diagnosed in a patient. The patients should be taughtencourages them to use their weak limbs to walk,
a series of exercises that would involve moving theirovercome defects in speech and helps to prevent
limbs so that it will help prevent their muscles formnegative behavior like biting and hair pulling.