Cerebral Palsy Treatment

Cerebral palsy affects many children and there is no cure for it; however there are treatments that support children with cerebral palsy in living more comfortably. The cerebral palsy treatments used with patients help them adapt physically and socially. They may also help patients with vision, hearing, and speech problems as well as seizures.

A team of professionals such as therapists, pediatricians, psychologists and other specialists make a plan based on the patients needs. From observing the child and running some tests they can know what treatments best suit them.

Cerebral Palsy treatments include:

Physical therapy - This type of therapy involves exercising the muscles. The purpose is to strengthen muscles help motor control. There are devices that are used during physical therapy sessions. This will help stretch their muscles and help prevent complications.

Speech therapy - Communicating can be difficult for children with cerebral palsy. Speech and language therapy will help them with other ways of communicating.

Occupational therapy - This treatment is aimed at fine motor skills. This therapy helps children with everyday living, such as eating, or dressing.

Medication - This type of therapy is used to control muscle spasms of those with cerebral palsy. There are medications like Botox that helps relax muscles. Other drug therapies help with seizures.

Surgery - Surgery is also used as therapy. These procedures help decrease spasticity, stabilize joints, and improve muscle tone. Surgeries help patients sit. Stand and walk.

Hearing aids, eyeglasses - Many cerebral palsy children have hearing or vision impairments. These treatments help improve these impairments.

Assistive technologies - Technologies are developed to help those with disabilities. Some of these technologies are wheelchairs and communication devices that help children with everyday jobs they may not otherwise be able to do.

Other CP treatments - There are other treatments give to children with cerebral palsy that help them throughout their years. These include dolphin therapy, hippotherapy, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).

Clinical trials - There are clinical trials that are conducted also. These trials' purpose is to try and develop new treatments for cerebral palsy.

The Cost of Cerebral Palsy Treatment

There is no cure for cerebral palsy and children will have to go through many different therapies just so they can live a somewhat comfortable life. Patients have to go through these treatments for the rest of their lifetime. The costs of treatments can exceed over $500,000. Insurance doesn't always cover all of the costs, and for those who do not have insurance, the financial load is overwhelming.