Cerebral Palsy: Therapy, Lifestyle & Support Systems
With STEPtember completed, and over $17million raised, it is important that we continue to raise awareness and resources for people with cerebral palsy. The money raised from your 10,000 daily steps goes towards research, equipment and treatment.
Thanks to the research and funding raised in the past, most people with cerebral palsy go on to live full and long lives. Some people with cerebral palsy become athletes and even go on to win multiple Olympic gold medals.
Living with cerebral palsy does come with additional challenges, however. As it is non-progressive, symptoms do not improve or worsen over time, but therapies, technology and medication can make the lifelong symptoms easier to handle.
Therapies
Physical therapy is the most practised treatment for cerebral palsy, and it includes stretching, massage, hot/cold therapy and hydrotherapy. Heat and water are used to reduce pain and allow movement and control of muscles that would be impossible without.
Depending on the type of cerebral palsy, physical therapy might focus on building muscle, improving balance or developing motor skills. Stretching, relaxing and strengthening the muscles helps children with spasticity to use them independently.
Psychotherapy is important for the mental wellbeing of people with cerebral palsy, as well as parents and families of children diagnosed. Often, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is used to improve the child’s perception of their diagnosis, as well as their response to pain, frustration and depression.
Speech therapy is useful for most children with cerebral palsy, as so many muscles are used in communication. As well as speech exercises, these therapies focus on eating, drinking and any other oral actions that the individual finds challenging.
Therapies for cerebral palsy include physical therapies, counselling and speech therapy.
Medication
There is a range of medications used to treat cerebral palsy, and others that are used to treat co-morbid conditions. Anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxant medications can help to reduce the pain associated with spastic cerebral palsy.
Laxatives are often used to loosen the stools – a common symptom of muscle restriction, and anticholinergics can help to improve communication between the cerebrum and the muscles.
Sedatives such as diazepam can help with anxiety and depression. People with cerebral palsy – and many other chronic illnesses – may also struggle with mental health as a direct or indirect result of their diagnosis.
Other comorbid diseases include seizures, poor oral hygiene and digestive or respiratory complaints. Most comorbidities can be eased with specific medications, and your doctor will prescribe a personalised combination.
Medications for cerebral palsy include muscle relaxants, sedatives and treatments for comorbidities.
Technology
Alongside therapies, research has helped to develop equipment that helps people with cerebral palsy go about their lives independently. As every diagnosis is different, so too are the equipment types needed to allow maximum independence.
Splints and walkers are low-cost pieces of tech, but their impact on those that cannot walk unassisted is enormous. For those needing more technological mobility assistance, electric wheelchairs and lifts can allow them to move independently when otherwise impossible.
Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) is sometimes used to help people with mild spastic cerebral palsy to walk more easily. FES involves sending tiny pulses to the muscles to help them contract. This is a short-term treatment that can permanently improve muscle function.
For people whose speech is affected by cerebral palsy, communication aids are an important technology. These might be as simple as picture boards and pencils but also include eye-tracking technology and speech generators.
Depending on the individual, some people with cerebral palsy also benefit from additional assistive technology such as hearing aids, adaptive home designs and specialised utensils for daily life.
Assistive technology for cerebral palsy include wheelchairs, splints, communication aids and home modifications.
Living with cerebral palsy
Thanks to modern medicine, technology and awareness, most people with cerebral palsy go on to live extremely fulfilling lives. To find out more about STEPtember and cerebral palsy, visit the Cerebral Palsy Alliance website.
If you are looking for support within Australia – whether your child has recently been diagnosed or you yourself have cerebral palsy, the Cerebral Palsy Support Network is a great place to start.
For international support and to join a worldwide community, the International Cerebral Palsy Society have members in 42 countries. They are also celebrating World Cerebral Palsy Day this Wednesday, 6th October.
For information on identifying cerebral palsy in your child, head over to our infographic of the signs and symptoms.
Felicity Thompson
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