Treating CP

One common thread runs through all of the research on treating cerebral palsy-- the sooner the better. The earlier treatment starts, the more likely the child is to find ways to overcome their motor disabilities, or find other means of achieving their goals.

The goal of treatment for CP is to improve quality of life for the client by optimizing mobility, pain control, independence, self-care, communication and learning abilities, and social interaction.

Multiple therapies are usually used together-- physical, occupational, recreational, and speech and language therapists will often all work as a team with one child. These professionals provide the child with exercises, activities, and opportunities to practice motor control, balance, communication, and whatever other skill development the child needs support in. These therapists will frequently introduce assistive devices, such as walkers, braces, and voice synthesizers, depending on their client's needs.

In the video below, Noreen Scott, a physical therapist at Tender Ones Therapy Services in Georgia, talks about how she approaches the incredibly varied needs of her young clients with cerebral palsy.

In addition to these therapies, in some cases drugs are prescribed to relax chronically contracted muscles. Oral medications are most frequently used, starting with diazepam, baclofen, dantrolene sodium, and tizanidine. In more severe cases, botulinum toxin may be injected into a contracted muscle in order to relax its contractions, or baclofen might be pumped into the area surrounding the spinal cord for a more widespread muscle relaxant.

Orthopedic surgery is also sometimes used to lengthen muscles or tendons that might be restricting movement. Surgery is also sometimes done to cut nerves that are contributing to spastic movement.

More information on the treatment of cerebral palsy can be found at CerebralPalsy.org