Tips for Managing Cerebral Palsy Every Day
Cerebral palsy is a congenital disorder due to the brain developing abnormally, usually while a child is still in the womb. Its effects create movement disorders, poor posture, difficulty with mobility, and poor muscle tone. In this article, we’ll discuss some tips for managing cerebral palsy every day. There is no cure, but there are ways to cope with cerebral palsy and lead a happy life.
Everyone Is Different
While learning to manage cerebral palsy, remember that everyone is different. The severity of cerebral palsy differs, and one way of managing it may work well for one and not another. Be patient with yourself or the one you care for and try different methods until you find what works best.
Orthotics
Because cerebral palsy affects the muscles, many people experience muscle spasms and poor muscle tone. This can lead to deformities and abnormal growth. Orthotics, such as braces and casts, help in this area by gently stretching muscles and helping a patient gain better control.
Therapies
Three common therapies used to treat patients with cerebral palsy are physical, occupational, and speech. Let’s look at each individually.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy focuses on balance and strength. For those with cerebral palsy, the goal of physical therapy is to improve balance, gait, muscle control, improve range of motion, and lengthen muscles that are too tight. Those with cerebral palsy can achieve this through special exercises, treadmills, weights, hippotherapy, aquatic therapy, and sometimes a walker or crutches.
Occupational Therapy
The focus of occupational therapy is to help patients achieve confidence, strength, and complete everyday tasks successfully. We take for granted things like making a bed or getting dressed in the morning. Those things are challenging obstacles for some with cerebral palsy. Occupational therapy helps to ease that challenge.
Speech Therapy
Due to the loss of muscle control, speech is sometimes affected for those with cerebral palsy when the muscles around the mouth don’t move correctly. A speech therapist not only assists with improving speech but also aids in chewing and swallowing.
A Healthy Diet
A healthy diet is essential for everyone. For those with cerebral palsy, it’s no different. Healthy foods build the immune system and are good for every area of development. Some people with cerebral palsy don’t get enough calories because they struggle to eat. When this is the case, it’s important to choose calorie-rich foods.
Medication
A doctor prescribes medication to help when necessary. Because of muscle spasms, therapy is sometimes frustrating for the cerebral palsy patient. The most common medications used for cerebral palsy are those that help with muscle spasms. Botox can help as it controls spastic muscles, allowing the patient to focus on therapy.
Whether you have cerebral palsy or take care of someone who does, using our tips for managing cerebral palsy every day is helpful as you or your loved one gain strength and confidence.
Chariot Innovations specializes in treating movement disorders like cerebral palsy. By using the MiraColt, we provide cerebral palsy hippotherapy to improve balance, strength, gait, and overall well-being for our cerebral palsy patients.
