Treatments and Therapies for Cerebral Palsy
There is no simple or singular method for remedying cerebral palsy. While there is technically no way to fully cure or eliminate cerebral palsy, there are a number of different ways to manage it—modern treatments and therapies help relieve the pains and discomforts of cerebral palsy, diminish its physical, cognitive, and social obstacles, and restore function in order to increase opportunity and independence in those affected by the condition.
The Michigan Cerebral Palsy Attorneys understand that cerebral palsy can be a devastating condition with expensive, time-consuming treatment and therapy needs. If you think a loved one’s cerebral palsy resulted from medical malpractice, our experienced attorneys can help you get the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (888) 592-1857 or fill out our online contact form and our lawyers will review your case and answer your legal questions.
Treatments and Therapies for Cerebral Palsy and Birth Injury
In this section, we’ll cover the many treatment and therapy options for those affected by cerebral palsy. We’ve organized this segment into two main groupings: Treatments and Therapies. Technically, therapy is one form of treatment, but since it is the most common and prescribed form of cerebral palsy treatment, we’ve expanded it into its own category.
What Are the Goals of Treatment and Therapy?
While treatment and therapy types and plans vary widely based on the individual’s specific case and the family’s preferences, all cerebral palsy treatment plans share the common objective of improving the patient’s quality of life. To achieve this, treatment plans largely focus on improving mobility, communication skills, and learning abilities, managing pain and associative conditions, and promoting self-care. In short, treatments seek to empower those affected by cerebral palsy and support independence and well-being.
The Importance of a Comprehensive Treatment Plan
People with cerebral palsy are encouraged to take advantage of the multiple forms of treatment and rehabilitation and work with physicians to create a personalized treatment plan. After being diagnosed with cerebral palsy, the child’s physician should work closely with other medical professionals, including therapists, counselors, physicians, and specialist—it is important to have trained professionals involved in every part of treatment for spastic cerebral palsy. Most experts agree that family-provided care is significantly less beneficial than professionally administered care. Family involvement is vital to the child’s rehabilitation and well-being, but professionals are able to develop important caregiver-patient relationships and push patients to their fullest potentials. Having a far-reaching web of diverse healthcare professionals is the first step in seeing physical, cognitive, emotional, and social improvements in a child with cerebral palsy.
Video: Treatments and Therapies for Cerebral Palsy and Birth Injuries
In the following video, our registered labor and delivery nurse Andrea Shea explains treatments and therapies for birth injuries including cerebral palsy, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), and neonatal brain damage.
Options: Treatments and Therapies for Individuals with Cerebral Palsy
At Michigan Cerebral Palsy Attorneys, our resources are designed to encourage those affected by cerebral palsy to reach out for support, information, and, in the necessary cases of medical malpractice, legal aid. We urge you to read through the following treatments and therapies to better understand your options.
- Treatments
- Therapies
- Physical therapy
- Recreational therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech and language therapy
- Conductive education (CE)
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)
- Stem cell therapy
- Suit therapy—Adeli suit, NeuroSuit, and intensive suit therapy
- Complementary and alternative therapy
Section sources: Treatments and Therapies for Cerebral Palsy
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- Glenn MB, Whyte J. The Practical Management of Spasticity in Children and Adults, Lea & Fegiber, Philadelphia 1990.
- Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the Practice Committee of the Child Neurology Society, Delgado MR, Hirtz D, et al. Practice parameter: pharmacologic treatment of spasticity in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (an evidence-based review): report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the Practice Committee of the Child Neurology Society. Neurology 2010; 74:336.
- Patrick JH, Roberts AP, Cole GF. Therapeutic choices in the locomotor management of the child with cerebral palsy–more luck than judgement? Arch Dis Child 2001; 85:275.
- Petersen MC, Palmer FB. Advances in prevention and treatment of cerebral palsy. Ment Retard Dev Disabil Res Rev 2001; 7:30.
- Dursun N, Dursun E, Alican D. The role of botulinum toxin a in the management of lower limb spasticity in patients with cerebral palsy. Int J Clin Pract 2002; 56:564.
- Tedroff K, Löwing K, Haglund-Akerlind Y, et al. Botulinum toxin A treatment in toddlers with cerebral palsy. Acta Paediatr 2010; 99:1156.
- Novak I, McIntyre S, Morgan C, et al. A systematic review of interventions for children with cerebral palsy: state of the evidence. Dev Med Child Neurol 2013; 55:885.