Cerebral Palsy In Children Can Be Helped With Physiotherapy

 

Cerebral palsy in children is due to faulty development or damage to the motor areas in the brain resulting in impaired control of movement.  Cerebal palsy is a non-progressive disorder.  The brain damage will not get worse, but the ability of a child can change as they grow and mature.  CP treatment usually involves a program of physiotherapy.  Occupational therapy can help with any special equipment that is needed.  A speech therapist can help if there are feeding or swallowing difficulties.

 

Cerebral palsy in children affects around 1 in 400 babies.  UCP statistics show that around half a million people in the US are affected by cerebal palsy.  Despite improvements in care and medical advances, the number of children with spastic CP has increased slightly in the last 30 years.  One reason for this could be that more premature babies are surviving intensive care.  Low birth weight is a known risk factor in cerebral palsey.