Rehabilitation in cerebral palsy: A journey of progress

Verified by Dr. Shekhar Patil, Sr. Consultant Adult & Paediatric Neurology, Apollo Children’s, Navi Mumbai.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture. CP is caused by damage to the developing brain, either before birth, during birth, or shortly after birth. The damage can be caused by a variety of factors, including stroke, oxygen deprivation, and infection.

What does rehabilitation for cerebral palsy include?

• Physical therapy: Physical therapy can help to improve a person’s range of motion, strength, balance, and coordination.
• Occupational therapy: Occupational therapy can help a person to develop the skills needed to perform activities of daily living, such as dressing, bathing, and eating.
• Speech therapy: Speech therapy can help a person to improve their communication skills.
• Aquatic therapy (therapy in a pool): It is a form of physical therapy that uses the properties of water to improve a person’s range of motion, strength, and flexibility.
• Constraint-induced movement therapy: A therapy that involves restraining the less-affected limb to encourage the use of the more-affected limb
• Advanced robotic therapy: It is a form of therapy that uses robotic devices or machines to assist with movement.

The specific therapies that are recommended for a person with CP will depend on their individual needs and goals.

Benefits of rehabilitation

• Improved mobility: Rehabilitation can help people with CP to walk more easily, sit up straighter, and improve their balance.
• Increased independence: Rehabilitation can help people with CP to learn to perform activities of daily living on their own.
• Reduced pain: Rehabilitation can help to reduce spasticity and other symptoms that can cause pain.
• Improved communication: Rehabilitation can help people with CP to improve their speech and language skills.
• Increased confidence: Rehabilitation can help people with CP to feel more confident in their abilities.

Rehabilitation is an important part of managing CP. By working with a team of rehabilitation professionals, people with CP can achieve their goals and live more fulfilling lives.

If you have CP or know someone who does, talk to our expert, Dr. Shekhar Patil, Sr. Consultant Adult & Paediatric Neurology, Apollo Children’s, Navi Mumbai for the management of cerebral palsy. Call 022 6280 6280 for an appointment.

Advanced robotic rehabilitation devices for the management of neurological diseases and critical illnesses are now available at Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai. These include:

•  Lokomat robotic gait training device to improve walking ability in individuals with neurological disorders.
•  Erigo robotic mobilization device to maintain upright orientation and joint mobility in persons suffering from critical illness.

Call 022 6280 6280 for an appointment.