Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that affects the brain—usually in childhood—from an injury or an underdeveloped brain. The severity varies among sufferers but often includes an inability to balance and move normally, difficulty sleeping, eating, and sometimes even breathing. Speech is often difficult to understand, and communication is frustrating. In this article, we’ll discuss the different types of therapy for cerebral palsy and how they can help those with the disorder.
Speech Therapy
A speech pathologist works with cerebral palsy patients to improve speech if possible or help them learn other methods of communication. Those methods might include sign language, a computer, or a voice synthesizer to help when normal speech isn’t possible. A speech therapist also offers help for eating and swallowing issues.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy uses many methods to help people accomplish the daily tasks we do at home, school, or work. Different equipment is involved depending on the needs, such as canes, wheelchairs, and walkers.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy involves muscle movement and exercises to build strength, mobility, balance, and flexibility. A physical therapist determines if leg braces or other means are necessary to help with movement. For parents and caregivers supporting someone with cerebral palsy, physical therapy is available to help them learn feeding and caregiving techniques at home.
Recreational Therapy
Recreational therapy involves sports activities, such as horseback riding or skiing. This type of therapy uses activities that help improve balance and mobility while, at the same time, giving the patient increased confidence and better emotional well-being.
Hippotherapy
Hippotherapy is one of the recreational therapies: horseback riding. However, not everyone has access to a horse or an instructor who understands recreational therapy for cerebral palsy. Chariot Innovations created the MiraColt for cerebral palsy hippotherapy for that reason. The MiraColt is a device designed to mimic the natural gait of a horse, which has helped patients improve core strength, balance, mobility, and even cognitive abilities. The advantage of the MiraColt is that those with cerebral palsy can benefit from hippotherapy when a horse isn’t available.
Cerebral palsy is a frightening diagnosis, but parents can find comfort in the different types of therapy for cerebral palsy that are available. At Chariot Innovations, we’ve worked with many cerebral palsy patients, and we are sensitive to their unique needs. We believe in cerebral palsy hippotherapy because we’ve seen it help. Contact Chariot Innovations and allow us to share with you how the MiraColt can improve the quality of life for your loved one with cerebral palsy.
