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There are many different treatments for cerebral palsy available today, however each case of cerebral palsy is as unique as the individual it affects. Different treatments will work for different patients, and to varying degrees of success. A treatment called physiotherapy is classified as a non-medicinal treatment of cerebral palsy with the use of exercise, massage, heat, and other external means of treatment.
Physiotherapy is used to help cerebral palsy patients improve movement and motor skills. Since cerebral palsy is a physical and movement disorder that impairs the brain's ability to properly control muscle movement, physiotherapy can do wonders in helping cerebral palsy patients gain mobility. Cerebral palsy physiotherapy techniques are determined by the degree of physical limitations of the individual, and what will be most beneficial to the cerebral palsy patient.
Physiotherapy generally consists of a few types of therapy and helps a cerebral palsy patient to improve their gross motor skills. Motor skills that utilize the large muscles in the body, such as those in the arms and legs, are known as gross motor skills. This kind of physiotherapy can help improve a cerebral palsy patient's balance and movement.
Physiotherapy can be great for increasing the success of learning to walk, standing without aid, using a wheelchair or other adaptive equipment, and other movement skills. The physical therapists involved in physiotherapy reduce further development of musculoskeletal problems by preventing muscle weakening, deterioration, and contracture through the correct physiotherapy techniques.
Occupational therapy is another element of physiotherapy used for cerebral palsy patients, and it is used for aiding in the development of fine motor skills. Fine motor skills focus on the use of smaller muscles, such as those in the face, fingers, toes, hands, and feet. Fine motor skills are used during daily living skills like eating, dressing, writing, etc., and are fine tuned by occupational physiotherapy.
Physiotherapy also involves choosing the right type of adaptive equipment that can enhance a cerebral palsy patient's motor abilities. Wheelchairs, walkers, special eating utensils and other adaptive equipment provide a patient with the freedom to accomplish some tasks on their own.
Other types of physiotherapy like speech and language therapy may also be incorporated into a cerebral palsy patient's program. Physiotherapy in the form of speech and language therapy that enables a cerebral palsy patient to communicate more easily with others by developing the facial and jaw muscles, improving speech or sign language messages, and introducing communication tools such as computers and other visual aids.
Physiotherapy is an integral part in the majority of many cerebral palsy patients' daily lives. Physiotherapy has the ability to develop self-sufficiency in cerebral palsy patients where it was previously absent. A child with cerebral palsy can start physiotherapy at just about any age. Talk to your child's physician about setting up physiotherapy plan today.