Category Archives: Cerebral Palsy
Boy With Cerebral Palsy Learns to Walk After Controversial Stem Cell Procedure
One of the most difficult aspects of having a child with cerebral palsy is the uncertainty. Doctors are often unable to predict whether a child may be able to walk, talk or live a life that is at all independent of a caretaker. A young boy from North Dakota, however, is surprising his parents, teachers and doctors and making huge improvements since undergoing a controversial stem cell procedure. For the first time in his life, he is able to take steps without the aid of crutches. The seven-year-old has spastic diplegia, a form of cerebral palsy that results in stiff, twisted and spastic leg muscles, often resulting from birth trauma. He underwent stem-cell therapy almost two years ago, an experimental procedure that replaced damaged cells with healthy ones. Doctors believe the treatment, which was performed with the help of $20,000 in community donations, has helped him with his speech and…
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Posted in Cerebral Palsy Tagged birth trauma, birth trauma lawyers, cerebral palsy, spastic diplegia Comments Off on Boy With Cerebral Palsy Learns to Walk After Controversial Stem Cell Procedure
Physical Therapy Helps Cerebral Palsy Sufferers Lead Better Lives
One of the most important therapies available to cerebral palsy sufferers is physical therapy. Because there is no cure for the disorder, patients with the disorder typically require a lifetime of treatment. It is the job of the physical therapist to help a child’s mobility by teaching and carrying out exercises designed to avoid contractures, bone deformity and unwanted movement. A potential physical therapy program could involve one or more of the following: Stretching – The therapist assists in moving the arms and legs in a way to produce a slow, steady pull on muscles, keeping them loose. Most children with cerebral palsy have very tight muscles and increased tone, requiring daily stretching to keep arms and legs limber enough for continued movement and function. Strengthening – The therapist assists in strengthening exercises for muscle groups needed to properly support the child’s body and increase function. Positioning – By placing…
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Posted in Cerebral Palsy Tagged cerebral palsy, cerebral palsy attorney, physical therapy Comments Off on Physical Therapy Helps Cerebral Palsy Sufferers Lead Better Lives
The Remarkable Effects of Music on Cerebral Palsy
Some treatments for cerebral palsy may seem obvious, such as physical therapy, but some are less well known. One effective approach you may be unaware of is music therapy. As the name implies, music therapy uses music as a therapeutic tool to restore, maintain and improve mental, physical and emotional health. When using music therapy, therapists work with patients to create specific, long-term objectives. Therapists then help patients to reach these objectives using different musical activities, including singing, playing instruments, moving to music, improvising, composing and listening. Three areas of music are particularly helpful for those with cerebral palsy: Singing – helps improve speech and language skills, including vocalization, verbalization, articulation, language expression and reception, rhythm and breathe control. Playing Instruments – improves gross and fine motor skills, including coordination, balance, dexterity, range of motion, strength, and social skills like participation, self-esteem and cooperation. Rhythmic Movement – helps with gross…
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Posted in Cerebral Palsy Tagged cerebral palsy, cerebral palsy lawyers, music therapy Comments Off on The Remarkable Effects of Music on Cerebral Palsy
