Cerebral Palsy: Alternative Therapies
The following is provided for
informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.
Alexander Technique
The Alexander Technique is based on the idea that movement difficulties are
caused by unconscious habits which interfere with poise and capacity to learn.
By practicing simple movements, individuals learn to develop more control over
their activities, take on more complex activities, and develop a greater sense
of self-confidence and presence of mind.
Amino Acid Therapy
Based on the idea that the absence or presence of certain amino acids contribute
to development of cerebral palsy, amino acid therapy consists of oral or
intravenous administration of amino acids.
Auditory Integration Therapy
Auditory integration therapy is meant to help people with disorders of the
auditory system, such as hearing loss or distortion. Auditory integration
therapy may help children with autism, dyslexia, hyperactivity, learning
disorders, language impairments, pervasive developmental disorders, central
auditory processing disorder, attention deficit disorder, and depression.
Baclofen Therapy
Most effective for patients with severe spasticity, baclofen therapy consists of
administering baclofen orally or through a pump implanted near the spine, which
injects baclofen directly into the spinal cord. Benefits of baclofen therapy
include reduced tone, spasms, and pain, as well as increased mobility.
Botox Therapy
In botox therapy, botulinum toxin is injected into spastic muscles to weaken
them. Coupled with increased therapy during the time when muscles are weakened,
patients can make great improvements in range of motion or strength. The therapy
can help decrease scissoring of legs and spasticity even after the injections
wear off, although the muscle weakness is temporary and the shots must be
repeated every six months.
Conductive Education
This system of education provides social skills to people with central nervous
system damage. This approach helps people achieve spontaneous and innovative
problem-solving skills encouraging them to develop an active, independent,
motivated approach to the problems of everyday life.
Constrained Induced Therapy
Used mainly for stroke victims, CI therapy is based on the idea that the brain
can "rewire" itself if the patient is encouraged to use the more-affected parts
of her body and not fall back on her more functional limbs. This therapy has
significantly improved the quality of movement in a number of patients.
Cranio-Sacral Therapy
This gentle, hands-on therapy enhances the functioning of craniosacral system
(the brain and spinal cord). Therapists release restrictions in this system by
using light touch. This treatment is particularly helpful in steadying the gait
and properly aligning the body.
Dance Therapy
Dance therapy encourages movement and rhythm awareness. This therapy can help
children improve self-esteem as well has develop better motor planning skills,
socialization and group interaction skills, and increased awareness of personal
and surrounding spaces. It also encourages verbal skills as children learn to
sing along to the songs.
EEG Biofeedback
EEG Biofeedback provides patients with information about their brainwaves on a
computer screen. They are then encouraged to learn how to change those brain
waves to alter how their body functions. Electrodes are attached to the head to
measure brainwave activity while the patient moves certain muscles.
EMG Biofeedback
Much like EEG Biofeedback, EMG Biofeedback helps patients learn to use affected
limbs by measuring the movements and muscle exertion patterns produced by an
unaffected limb. They then use this pattern to help teach the affected limb how
to function more normally.
Feldenkrais
This form of therapy helps patients become aware of habitual movements and
posture. Therapists then encourage patients to change their movements through
guided actions.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment
Saturating the body's tissues with oxygen has produced many positive effects,
including new blood vessel growth, decreased swelling and inflammation,
deactivation of toxins, improved breathing, and improved immune system. During
this treatment, patients breathe 100 percent oxygen while inside a pressurized
air chamber, which causes a greater than normal amount of oxygen to be dissolved
in the blood stream. The treatment has proven helpful in treating cerebral
palsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis, autism, head injuries, vascular disease,
sport injuries, chronic fatigue, and others.
Manual Therapy
Manual Therapy involves putting muscles into a state of relaxation before
stretching them. This allows patients to achieve an increased range of movement.
Manual therapy treats both soft tissue and joint structures.
Medek
Medek therapy focuses on training movements that lead to sitting, standing, and
walking. Muscles are trained for tasks, not in isolated movements. Movements are
performed without the child's conscious participation.
Music Therapy
Music therapy helps people with a number of disorders, including neurological,
mental, and behavioral disorders. Patients often improve in emotional
well-being, physical health, social functioning, communication abilities, and
cognitive skills. Music improvisation, listening, song-writing, lyric
discussion, music and imagery, and performance can all be part of therapy
sessions.
Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT)
Neuro-developmental treatment is an interactive approach that addresses movement
issues by utilizing principles of movement sciences. The treatment process
includes the gradual withdrawal of direct practitioner input leading to
increased independence in the patient.
Samonas Sound Therapy
Samonas sound therapy provides slight massage to certain areas of the middle ear
allowing the patient to hear sounds previously never accessed. Sounds are
monitored to make sure the patient does not find them threatening. Improvements
in the auditory system and related systems often result.
Therapeutic Electrical Stimulation
Therapeutic Electrical Stimulation provides a low level electrical stimulation
that does not contract the muscles, but encourages blood flow to stimulate
muscle growth. Electrodes are worn at night and placed on atrophied muscles to
encourage growth and counteraction of overactive spastic muscles.
Therapeutic Horseback Riding
Therapeutic horseback riding has been shown to improve balance and muscle
strength, self-confidence and emotional control, and hand-eye coordination.
Individuals participating in therapeutic horseback riding also benefit from a
developing respect and love for animals through their interactions with horses.
This treatment has proven beneficial to individuals suffering from cerebral
palsy, attention deficit disorder, Down syndrome, multiple sclerosis, spina
bifida, and others.
Vojta (Reflexlocaomotion) Therapy
This highly specialized type of physical therapy is designed primarily to
enhance the motor development. Treatment has added benefits of improvements in
cognition, fine motor, breathing, and digestion.
Yoga
Yoga helps develop cognitive and motor skills through movement and stretching.
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Therapy
Your Legal Concerns
While most doctors, nurses, midwives, and
hospital technicians provide a high standard of care for their patients,
unfortunately, many families are harmed by medical mistakes. A physician may
have misread fetal monitoring equipment, failed to diagnose fetal distress
during labor, waited too long to perform a C Section, administered too much
Pitocin, or failed to act in a timely manner. Parents of a child suffering with
cerebral palsy should
contact an
experienced cerebral palsy lawyer to research the cause of their child’s
condition.
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