Treatment Options for Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy as no specific cause and there is no cure. There are, however, treatment options that are provided within the medical field. Cerebral palsy treatment options are chosen based on the specific characteristics and needs of the individual with cerebral palsy.
Treatment can help a child improve muscle control and movement. Other treatments focus on problems with vision or hearing. They may also assist when seizures are a problem. A team of medical professionals will consider the child’s needs and create a suitable plan. Tests are run and observations made to help in the determination of what will be in the best interest of the child. Treatment options available are:
Physical therapy - Physical therapy involves exercising and training the muscles to enhance strength and motor control. This is perhaps the most important of all cerebral palsy treatments. Orthotic devices such as special braces may be used to help stretch muscles and prevent complications which limits joint movements.
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 - There are times when therapies just don’t help. In these situations surgery may be an option for the patient. Surgeries can help decrease spasticity and improve muscle tone.
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 - Cerebral palsy children usually will require some type of assistive technologies such as wheelchairs to help them with everyday jobs that they may not otherwise be able to do so.
Other CP treatments - Sometimes the common treatments are just not enough for a patient with it. If this is the case, other treatments may be applied such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).
Clinical trials - The purpose of these trials are to try to develop new treatments for cerebral palsy patients.
The Lifelong Expense 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.