CONDITIONS TREATED

Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy, also referred to as CP, is a physical disability that affects voluntary movement and posture. It is an ‘umbrella’ or general term that refers to a group of disorders affecting the person’s ability to move.

Depending on the severity of the injury and the areas of the brain most affected, symptoms related to an ABI may vary. Some common symptoms include:

Muscle control
Muscle coordination
Muscle tone
Reflexes
Posture
Balance
Transfer ability
Walking

People with CP may also have visual, learning, hearing, speech, or intellectual impairments, but not always and this presents as highly variable between each person. It is important to remember that even if a person has a speech impairment, it does not mean that they have an intellectual impairment!

Classifying CP

CP can be described by the way it affects people’s movement, the part of the body affected and by how severe the symptoms are.

Describing CP by body parts effected:

Quadriplegia: both arms and legs are affected
Diplegia: both legs are affected
Hemiplegia: one side of the body is affected

Types of CP:

Spastic Cerebral Palsy: causes an increase in muscles tone (tightness and stiffness)
Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy: causes dystonia (repetitive and twisting movements)
Ataxic Cerebral Palsy: causes poor balance, reduced coordination, tremors and shaky movements
Mixed Cerebral Palsy: causes symptoms characteristic of two or three of the above types

How can we help?

At The Neuro Practice, we will help you to establish your goals and works towards them. We can identify and assist with managing symptoms of CP including muscle tightness, reduced posture, reduced balance, pain and weakness. We can also help you with your equipment needs which you may require to improve your quality of life and ease of access to the community. Education regarding your condition is an integral part of working together and we are also able to establish and progress tailored home exercise programs for stretching and strengthening and functional improvements.

We can support you with your therapy on a 1:1 basis in clinic, at home, or at your local facility eg; hydrotherapy and gymnasium program set-up and assistance.