Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy is ‘permanent but not unchanging’ damage to the developing brain. Often occurring before, during or soon after birth. Diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy is usually made within the first three years of life. It is most noticeable in delayed developmental milestones and a lack of variety of movement caused by an alteration in muscle tone. More information about the condition itself can be found on the NHS website and the website dedicated to all things related to cerebral palsy www.scope.org.uk
How can physiotherapy help?
Specialist physiotherapy at Nicole Lavin Neurological Rehabilitation can help in the following ways:
- manage the effects of growth and the resulting reduced range of movement with active treatment, and home exercise/activity programmes
- maintain or improve functional ability
- develop motor skills, including balance, walking and breath production for speech
- improve cardiovascular fitness with programmes and referral to disability sport activities
- assess 24-hr positioning and recommend appropriate support
- recommend appropriate equipment, for example sleep systems and bikes
- recommend appropriate adjuncts to treatment, for example hydrotherapy, hippotherapy and orthotics
- provide post-operative therapy i.e. following SDR (selective dorsal rhizotomy) or muscle lengthening procedures
- provide post-botulinum toxin therapy
- liaison with NHS therapy providers
