Cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy (CP) is one of the most common developmental disabilities. CP is the term given for a set of neurological disorders characterized by movement and posture disorders causing activity limitation due to a static disturbance in the developing brain. This is often accompanied by associated impairments and secondary health conditions. CP is not a single pathological entity and describes disorders in various motor functions including but not limited to body movement, muscle control, muscle coordination, muscle tone, reflex, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, oral motor functioning, posture, and balance.
The transition to adulthood often results in difficulty finding physicians trained in treating the effects of CP into adulthood. There are many more adults with CP than there are children and the effects of CP are lifelong even though the initial injury to the brain causing CP happens in childhood. While the brain injury is not progressive, the cascade of the musculoskeletal impacts progress with age.
Symptoms
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Abnormal movements (twisting, jerking, or writhing) of the hands, feet, arms, or legs while awake, which gets worse during periods of stress.
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Tremors.
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Unsteady gait.
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Loss of coordination.
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Floppy muscles, especially at rest, and joints that move around too much.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapists work on gross motor skills, functional mobility, positioning, sitting, transitioning from sitting to standing, walking with or without assistive devices and orthoses, wheelchair use and transfers. They use a wide range of approaches to influence functional ability.
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Strengthening exercises
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Functional training
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Aerobic exercises
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Stretching
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Pain management