Treatment Options for Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is a condition without a cure, but there are numerous treatment options. Cerebral palsy treatments are chosen based on what is best suited to an individual child's needs.
Treatments help them gain better movement of their muscles. Treatments can also help with vision and hearing problems and seizures. Therapists, pediatricians, psychologists and other experts create plans for the patient based on their needs. The child is observed and tests are run so the professionals can determine what is best for them. Some treatments include:
Physical therapy - This method of therapy helps stretch the muscles of a patient with cerebral palsy. This can include exercising the muscles, massaging the muscles, and orthotic devices. The purpose of this is to help with motor control.
Speech therapy - It is sometimes difficult for patients with cerebral palsy to communicate. With speech therapy, the treatments allow them to communicate with other means.
Occupational therapy - Children can use this treatment to help you with the everyday chores such as eating or dressing.
Medication - There are medications for cerebral palsy patients that will help relax their muscles. Patients deal with muscle spasms and medications such as Botox will help those problems.
Surgery - At times surgery is another option for families that have children with cerebral palsy. This treatment can help stabilize joints, and improve tone of their muscle.
Hearing aids, eyeglasses - It is common of cerebral palsy patients to have hearing or vision problems. These treatments will help improve the impairments of the child.
Assistive technologies - New technologies are always being developed to help individuals with disabilities. Assistive technologies such as specialized wheelchairs, customized scooters, and communication devices can aid cerebral palsy children in their daily lives and with tasks they may not otherwise be able to perform.
Other CP treatments - Other cerebral palsy treatments include dolphin therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). These assist patients throughout their years.
Clinical trials - Medical professional will conduct clinical trials to be able to try to develop new treatments for children with cerebral palsy.
The Cost of Cerebral Palsy Treatment
Cerebral palsy affects many children and there is no cure for it, there are only treatments to help a patient cope with their disability. Children go through different therapies that suit their needs but the financial costs are overwhelming usually exceeding $500,000. Insurance doesn't always cover all of the costs, and the families can get stressed with all the costs. Even those who do not have insurance, the financial load are overwhelming.
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