Physiotherapy Assessment & Treatment of Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is defined as an injury to the brain that occurs in a person less than two years of age. It results in various degrees of muscle impairment. Physiotherapy can help improve and maintain muscle strength and mobility.

Misconceptions

• Cerebral palsy gets the most attention from doctors and researchers in pediatric patients. Though it is not degenerative, it is permanent, and it will have life-long effects.

Scope

• While a few signs may be present across the board, cerebral palsy is present in a wide spectrum of symptoms. It affects no two people the same way.

Treatment

• Physiotherapy is commonly prescribed to help improve and maintain muscle function. The first step is a proper assessment that takes the patient's limitations into account. It can be used as a benchmark to measure progress in the future.

Treatment

• Typical gym equipment is not always safe--or even possible--for people with cerebral palsy to use unassisted, and not all trainers are familiar with the specific issues faced by people with disabilities. For this reason, it's important to research facilities and find one that's safe.

Maintenance

• Eating a healthy diet and getting adequate exercise is important for everyone. However, these two things are a lifeline to mobility and functionality for a person with cerebral palsy. Consistency is important; muscles affected by cerebral palsy deteriorate faster than average.